Confidentiality, Images and Patient Stories

Patient confidentiality applies in all media. Dental nurses must not post information or comments about patients on social networking or blogging sites. Even anonymised details can identify someone when combined with time, place, treatment, age, unusual circumstances, images or local knowledge.

Clinical images, radiographs, before-and-after photographs, appointment screenshots, unusual cases and patient stories require clear governance. Consent for clinical care is different from consent for teaching, marketing or social media. Do not use a personal phone or personal account to store or share patient content.

High-risk content includes

• Photos of patients, teeth, radiographs, lab work or records.
• Stories about unusual treatment, anxiety, cost, complaints or behaviour.
• Posts showing appointment books, computer screens or patient labels.
• Messages asking colleagues for informal advice using patient details.
• Before-and-after content without proper consent and governance.
• Images with embedded location or metadata from personal devices.

Use professional forums for clinical learning only when information is properly anonymised, authorised and shared for a legitimate professional purpose. If unsure, consult a senior colleague or the practice data protection lead before sharing.

Consent for images

Anonymisation is harder than it looks. A few small details can identify a patient, especially in a local dental practice.