Privacy Policy

Fern Cottage Dental takes your privacy seriously. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect personal information when you visit our website www.fcdental.co.uk or contact us online.

We are committed to meeting our legal obligations under:

• The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
• Data Protection Act 2018
• Common law duty of confidentiality
• CQC ‘Well-Led’ and ‘Safe’ requirements
• GDC Standards for the Dental Team (confidentiality of patient information)

If you have any questions, please contact us using the details at the end of this policy.

Fern Cottage Dental
28 High Street
Hoyland
Barnsley
S74 0PB

Email: ferncottagerec@gmail.com
Phone: 01226 742 304

Data Controller: Dr Imran Ahmed (Practice Owner)

We are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as a Data Controller.

We may collect the following types of data:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Address
• Date of birth (if relevant to requests)
• Information you provide in contact or appointment request forms
• IP address and browser information (for security and analytics)

If you become a patient, a separate Patient Privacy Notice detailing clinical data handling will apply.

We will only use your data where lawful and necessary for:

• Responding to online enquiries or appointment requests
• Providing information about our services
• Administration and management of the website
• Maintaining website security and performance

We do not use your contact details for marketing unless you provide explicit consent.

We rely on one or more of the following lawful bases:

• Legitimate interests – to respond to enquiries sent via the website
• Consent – if you ask to receive marketing communications
• Legal obligation – where required by law or regulatory bodies

We implement technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including:

• Secure servers and encrypted communication where possible
• Restricted access to authorised staff only

Website submissions may be stored in secure email systems hosted by reputable third‑party providers. We do not store patient medical information through this website.

We will keep website enquiry data for no longer than 12 months unless it forms part of a patient record, in which case retention rules for clinical records apply.

We do not sell your data.

We may share information only where necessary with:

• IT service providers (hosting, form submission software) under confidentiality agreements
• Regulators (CQC, GDC) or authorities if legally required

Our website may use standard cookies and analytics tools such as Google Analytics to:

• Improve site performance
• Understand how visitors use our website

You can disable cookies through your browser settings if you prefer.

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Request corrections or deletion
• Withdraw consent to marketing at any time
• Object to certain forms of processing

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below.

If you are unhappy with how we handle your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office: https://www.ico.org.uk

Our website may link to external sites. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those sites.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.

To ask a question or exercise your rights, please contact:

Practice Manager
Fern Cottage Dental
28 High Street, Hoyland, Barnsley, S74 0PB

Email: ferncottagerec@gmail.comPhone: 01226 742 304

Thank you for visiting Fern Cottage Dental.