Confidentiality, Caldicott, and Patient Trust

Confidentiality means patients can trust the dental team with information that may be private, embarrassing, sensitive or personally important. Patients may disclose medical conditions, medicines, pregnancy, substance use, domestic concerns, mental health issues, financial difficulty or a previous poor dental experience because they expect the team to treat that information with respect.

In daily practice confidentiality is tested in small ways. A patient may speak loudly at reception, a relative may ask about treatment, a colleague may mention a patient in the corridor, a printed medical history may be left in the surgery, or a screen may be visible from a doorway. These moments can expose private information.

Good confidentiality habits

• Lower your voice or move sensitive conversations away from public areas.
• Confirm the patient's identity before discussing records or appointments.
• Do not discuss patient cases in public, socially, or on personal social media.
• Be cautious when friends, relatives, or employers ask about a patient.
• Challenge casual disclosures politely and early.

Confidentiality does not mean information must never be shared. Information should only be shared when it is justified, proportionate and with the right people. In routine care information may be shared within the dental team to support safe treatment. In other situations you may need consent, to follow policy, to meet a legal duty, to act for safeguarding, or to seek senior advice.

Caldicott principles in dental practice

Confidentiality is made up of small choices: where you speak, what you show, who you tell, and whether the patient would reasonably expect the sharing.