Confidentiality – and the dental nurse

The legal requirements of maintaining confidentiality is covered by the Data Protection Act (1998), The Human Rights Act (1998), the Common Law of Confidentiality and Administrative Law. Dental nurses, as with every other team member, should be aware of their rights and responsibilities as a GDC registrant in keeping information relating to both patients and staff confidential. Confidential information belongs to the patient (or staff member) not to the dentist or the dental practice or clinic (Dental Protection). The GDC states under 4.2 of the Standards for the Dental Team ‘that you must protect the confidentiality of patient’s information and only use it for the purpose for which it was given’ (GDC Standards for the Dental Team). This is endorsed by the NHS Code of Practice which states that ‘information provided in confidence should not be used or disclosed in a form that might identify a patient without his or her consent’ (NHS Code of Practice, 2003). Therefore, any information acquired by you in your professional capacity is confidential and should be protected from unauthorised disclosure (Dental Defence union). Patients are entitled to expect the confidentiality of all their information since confidentiality is central to the preservation of trust and this applies even after the patient may have ceased to attend the practice or died.