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The Eight Caldicott Principles

• Justify the purpose for using confidential information.
• Use confidential information only when necessary.
• Use the minimum necessary confidential information.
• Restrict access to those with a strict need to know.
• Make sure everyone with access understands their responsibilities.
• Comply with the law.
• Share information for individual care when that is as important as protecting confidentiality.
• Tell patients how their confidential information is used.

Dental Nurse Practice

• Apply Caldicott thinking in routine tasks: reception enquiries, referrals, laboratory forms, records, telephone calls, paper handling, and handovers.
• Prompt colleagues to consider why information is needed, exactly what is required, who will see it, how it will be shared, and whether the patient would expect it.
• Do not use confidentiality to withhold information needed for safe care.
• Do not disclose more information than necessary because a colleague, relative, or third party asks confidently.
• Escalate requests that are uncertain, unusual, legally complex, involve safeguarding, come from third parties, or carry significant risk.

Advice and Speaking Up

• Steer reception and junior staff towards approved systems and quiet locations for private conversations.
• Challenge unsafe shortcuts calmly, for example using personal phones, shared logins, public discussions, or unnecessary attachments.
• Report possible breaches or repeated unsafe workarounds without delay.
• Keep advice factual and within your role: pause, protect privacy, check policy, and involve the appropriate lead.
• Good Caldicott practice protects patient trust while allowing necessary information to support care.