Privacy Policy

Rinse Dental – Privacy policy

How Rinse Dental Protects Your Personal Information

At Rinse Dental, we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with transparency, safety, and care. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how it is used, and the rights you have under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Rinse Dental is the data controller responsible for your personal data.


1. Information We Collect

We collect and store information that enables us to provide you with safe, effective dental hygiene care. This may include:

Personal Information

  • Name, address, date of birth

  • Telephone number and email address

  • Family or emergency contact details

  • NHS or dental plan provider details (if applicable)

Medical & Dental Information

  • Medical history and GP details

  • Past and current dental treatment records

  • X-rays, photographs, scans, and clinical notes

  • Referral correspondence to/from healthcare professionals

  • Consent forms and treatment authorisations

Financial Information

  • Treatment estimates, payments, and receipts

Communication Records

  • Notes relating to conversations, queries, or incidents

  • Details of any feedback or complaints

Website & Communication Usage

We may also collect anonymised technical data (e.g., page interactions or form submissions) to improve our website and patient experience.

CCTV (if applicable)

If CCTV is used at our premises, this will be clearly signposted and is used strictly for safety and security purposes, in line with data protection law.


2. Why We Collect Your Information

We collect your information to:

  • Provide safe, appropriate dental care

  • Maintain accurate clinical records

  • Produce treatment plans, recalls, and appointment reminders

  • Process payments and manage your account

  • Communicate with you about your care

  • Make referrals to other healthcare providers

  • Meet legal, regulatory, and professional obligations (including GDC, CQC, and indemnity requirements)

We may also contact you with relevant service updates or practice information where appropriate.


3. Lawful Basis for Processing Your Data

Our legal bases for processing patient data include:

Consent

When you provide information or request treatment.

Legitimate Interests

Processing necessary for providing patient care, responding to queries, or managing clinical relationships.

Special Category Data (Health Records)

Processed under Article 9 UK GDPR (f, h):

  • Provision of health and social care

  • Establishing or defending legal claims


4. How We Use and Share Your Information

We only share your information securely and when necessary.

We may share your information with:

  • Trusted dental laboratories

  • External clinicians for referrals

  • Your GP or medical professionals (when relevant)

  • Payment plan providers or insurers

  • Regulatory bodies (GDC, CQC) when legally required

  • IT system providers that securely store patient records

We do not share your information for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.


5. How Your Information Is Stored

Your data is stored securely in:

  • Protected digital systems

  • Encrypted practice management software

  • Secure paper records (if applicable)

We use strict access controls, security procedures, and regular backups to keep your information safe.


6. Retention Periods

We retain dental records in accordance with professional and legal obligations:

  • Adults: Minimum of 11 years from last visit

  • Children: Until age 25 (or 26 if treatment ended at age 17)

  • Financial or administrative documents: As required by law

  • NHS documentation (if applicable): Required statutory durations

Retention periods may be extended where required for legal, regulatory, or safeguarding purposes.


7. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have rights regarding your personal data, including:

Right of Access

You may request a copy of the information we hold about you.

Right to Rectification

You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.

Right to Erasure

You may request deletion of your data where appropriate (clinical records cannot usually be erased).

Right to Restrict Processing

You may ask us to limit how your data is used for example, opting out of reminders.

Right to Data Portability

You may request we transfer your records to another clinician or provider.

Right to Object

You may object to certain types of processing.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us:
info@rinsedental.co.uk


8. If You Have Concerns About Your Data

If you have any questions or concerns about how we use your information, please contact our Data Protection Lead:

Kirishanthy Balachandiran
Email: info@rinsedental.co.uk

If you are not satisfied, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

ICO Website: www.ico.org.uk
Helpline: 0303 123 1113


Children’s Privacy Notice

We collect relevant personal and medical information for child patients to ensure safe, appropriate dental care.
If a child is under 13, parental consent is normally required.
Young people aged 13–17 may make certain decisions themselves if they have the understanding to do so.


Updates to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect legal or regulatory changes.