Berkhamsted Dental Practice respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy notice will inform you as to how we look after your personal data when you visit our website (regardless of where you visit it from) and tell you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you.
This privacy notice is provided in a layered format, so you can click through to the specific areas set out below. Please also use the Glossary to understand the meaning of some of the terms used in this privacy notice.
1. Who are we?
1.2 Controller
1.3 Contact details
1.4 What this policy covers
2. The information we collect
2.2 How we use your information and our lawful basis
3. Who we share your information with
3.2 How long we keep your information
4. Use of AI and other automated tools
4.2 Third-party links
5. National data opt-out
6. Keeping your data secure
7. Your rights
8. Complaints about how we handle your data
9. Changes to this policy
10. Cookies notice
Berkhamsted Dental Practice is an independent dental practice providing a range of dental treatments on a private and NHS basis. Our practice team, which consists of employed and self-employed individuals, work together to ensure our patients’ data is protected.
1.2 Controller
Berkhamsted Dental Practice (“we”, “us”, “our”) is the data controller for the personal information we hold about our patients, website visitors and enquirers.
1.3 Contact details
Address: 20a Lower Kings Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 2AB
Telephone: 01442 865646
Email: info@berkhamsteddental.com
ICO registration number: Z5218114
Our Data Protection Officers are Dr Kishan Lakhani and Dr Nikhil Patel, who can be contacted using the practice details above.
1.4 What this policy covers
This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect personal data when you visit our website, contact us online, or become a patient of the practice. It is written to meet the requirements of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:
2.2 How we use your information and our lawful basis
We only use personal data where we have a lawful basis to do so under UK GDPR:
Special category health data is processed on the basis that it is necessary for the provision of health care, or to meet our obligations under the Equality Act 2010. Where we rely on consent for special category data (such as before/after photographs used in marketing), we will always ask you separately, and you may withdraw consent at any time.
We use your data to: provide dental treatment and advice; manage appointments, reminders and recalls; process payments and NHS claims; communicate with you about your care; refer you to other clinicians when needed; meet our legal and regulatory obligations to the GDC, CQC and NHS; and, where you have agreed, send you practice news or marketing.
We do not sell your personal data. We may share it with:
Personal data is stored within the UK/EU. Where a supplier stores data outside the UK/EU, we only use providers with appropriate safeguards in place (such as UK adequacy regulations or standard contractual clauses).
3.2 How long we keep your information
|
Record type |
Retention period |
|
Adult patient clinical records |
Minimum 10 years from last treatment (longer for complex cases) |
|
Children’s clinical records |
Until the patient’s 25th birthday, or 26th if aged 17 at the conclusion of treatment |
|
Complaints records |
11 years |
|
Staff employment records |
6 years after employment ends |
|
Contractors’ data |
7 years after the contract is ended |
|
General enquiry/website contact data |
2 years from last contact, unless you become a patient |
Full details of our retention schedule are set out in our internal Record Retention Policy, a copy of which is available on request.
We use third-party software, including AI-powered tools, to help manage appointment bookings and patient communications — for example, an AI chat or phone assistant that can check availability and book, confirm or reschedule appointments on your behalf. These tools connect securely to our practice management system to access the patient information needed to carry out these tasks.
The companies providing these tools act as data processors: they only use your data to carry out the services we have instructed them to provide, under a data processing agreement with us, and they are not permitted to use it for their own purposes.
Some routine actions, such as booking, confirming or rescheduling a straightforward appointment through a chat or phone assistant, may be completed by the automated system without a staff member being involved at that exact moment. However, a member of our team checks all appointments made this way. We do not use AI to make decisions about your care, treatment or eligibility for services without a member of our clinical or administrative team being involved.
If you would like more information about how a particular automated tool uses your data, or you would like a member of our team to review a decision made using one of these tools, please contact us using the details above.
4.2 Third-party links
The Berkhamsted Dental Practice website https://berkhamsted.digimax.uk may include links to third-party websites, plug-ins and applications. Clicking on those links or enabling those connections may allow third parties to collect or share data about you. We do not control these third-party websites and are not responsible for their privacy statements. When you leave our website, we encourage you to read the privacy notice of every website you visit.
At this time, we do not share any data for planning or research purposes for which the national data opt-out would apply. We review all of the confidential patient information we process on an annual basis to see if this is used for research and planning purposes. If it is, individuals can decide to stop their information being shared for this purpose. You can find out more at www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters.
We protect personal data using password-protected and encrypted computer systems, secure off-site backups, lockable and fireproof storage for paper records, restricted “need to know” access, CCTV and intruder alarms at our premises, and staff training on confidentiality. Any suspected data breach is investigated and reported in line with our legal obligations.
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@berkhamsteddental.com or 01442 865646. We will normally respond within one month.
If you are unhappy with how we have used your personal data, please contact our Data Protection Officers in the first instance using the practice details above. If you remain dissatisfied, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Website: ico.org.uk
We may update this policy from time to time. The “last updated” date at the top of this page shows when it was last revised. Please check back periodically. If you have any questions about our use of your data, contact us at info@berkhamsteddental.com or 01442 865646.
What is a cookie? Cookies are small text files that are automatically placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work properly, to improve performance, and to provide information to the website owner. This policy explains what cookies we use on the Berkhamsted Dental Practice website, why we use them, and how you can control them.
For more general information about cookies, visit www.aboutcookies.org.
How we use cookies. We use cookies for a number of reasons set out in the sections below. In some cases, disabling certain cookies may affect how the website functions, so we recommend reviewing each category before making changes to your preferences.
Form-related cookies. When you submit data through a form — such as a contact or enquiry form — cookies may be set to remember your details for future correspondence, making it easier for you to get in touch with us again.
Site preferences cookies. To give you the best experience on our website, we use cookies to remember any preferences you have set, such as display settings or accessibility options. These cookies allow the site to recall your preferences each time you visit.
Third-party cookies. In some cases we also use cookies provided by trusted third parties. These are used to help us understand how visitors use our website and to improve your experience over time. Third-party cookies may track things such as how long you spend on the site and which pages you visit. From time to time we may also test new features on the site; cookies help us ensure you receive a consistent experience while we do so.
Google Analytics. Our website uses Google Analytics, one of the most widely used web analytics services, to help us understand how visitors use the site. These cookies may track things such as how long you spend on the site and which pages you visit. The information collected is aggregated and anonymous — it does not identify you as an individual.
For more information on how Google Analytics uses data, visit: policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.
Social media cookies. If you use social media sharing buttons or widgets on our website, the social network that created those buttons may set cookies to record your action for its own purposes. That organisation may also show you content or advertising from us when you visit its own platforms. Please refer to each social media organisation’s own privacy and cookie policy for details of how they use cookies and how to control them.
Types of cookies we use:
How to turn off cookies. All modern browsers allow you to control or disable cookies through your browser settings. You can usually find these options in the “Settings”, “Options” or “Preferences” menu of your browser, or via the “Help” function. Please be aware that disabling certain cookies may result in parts of our website not functioning as intended.
Questions? If you have any questions about how we use cookies, please contact us:
Berkhamsted Dental Practice 20a Lower Kings Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 2AB
Telephone: 01442 865646 Email: info@berkhamsteddental.com
Professional and friendly staff. Delighted with my results, and thank you, Nikhil, for your attention to detail and for going the extra mile!
As always, I feel very relaxed at my appointment and am very pleased with how I am looked after by all the staff.
I would like to thank Nikhil and his dental nurses for taking me through the process of having dental implants, which was well explained throughout. I am very happy with the result.
I have been with the Berkhamsted Dental Practice for many years; I love the sunny, friendly greeting when I arrive, my details already logged online, so no waiting. I have been with the Berkhamsted Dental Practice for many years; I love the sunny, friendly greeting when I arrive, my details already logged online, so no waiting.
Had my first appointment today, I am a very nervous person, but I had nothing to worry about, everyone was so kind, the dentist told me everything that was happening, and was so thoughtful. Would highly recommend. Amazing.
All staff were very kind and welcoming, from the receptionist to the doctors. Everyone was friendly and professional. During my appointment, everything was clearly explained, and the doctor consistently checked that I was comfortable and asked whether I needed her to stop.
I recently had root canal retreatment with Dr Philip Mitchell, and I am extremely happy with his work. I had a very complex case; however, Dr Mitchell handled everything with great professionalism and saved my tooth. Thank you so much for your help!
Always a friendly, helpful and professional service here. I’ve been going for years and would highly recommend it.
I had a great experience at Berkhamsted Dental Practice. The staff were lovely and welcoming, and really put me at ease as I’m not usually a big fan of the dentist. A lovely lady called Hollie, who was assisting the dentist, went out of her way to put me at ease, which was much appreciated. Will definitely continue to go here whenever I need to!
Really good experience at this practice. Needed root canal surgery. My wife is a dentist and insisted that I saw Dr Mitchell despite living in Brighton. Well worth the journey to Berkhamsted. Absolutely painless root canal. Vastly cheaper than London or Brighton and done by a recognised expert in the field with decades of experience of this surgery. Really happy with the experience. Cannot recommend Dr Mitchell too highly.
I booked a consultation with Berkhamsted Dental Practice for my 90-year-old mother, who had broken a piece of tooth that was causing her to bite her lip every time she ate. 2 other dentists said nothing could be done! We came for a consultation with Dr Ventsi, assisted by Becky, who were both very professional and kind. Dr Ventsi repaired the tooth there, and then, so she didn’t have to come back another day, he has made a marvellous job, she is so pleased with the result. We would highly recommend this practice.
I’ve been a patient with Berkhamsted Dental for well over 12years & what an incredible dental practice they are. Always so welcoming, the staff are so friendly, the nurses keep me calm as I’m a very nervous patient (Louise especially, as she is always so bubbly & chatty). All the staff are such a credit to the business. I honestly wouldn’t go anywhere else. Thank you all.
Top-notch dentist practice. Patient, passionate about good care, knowledgeable, and kind to all. Was my first appointment, and will definitely keep going and bring my family as well.
We have been with the Berkhamsted Dental Practice ever since it started, and would highly recommend it. They are friendly and helpful, and their dental work is excellent. The only snag is that the practice is on the first floor, so you need to be able to climb a short flight of stairs to reach it.
My family and I have been going to Berkhamsted Dental Practice for many years now. They are professional, caring and friendly and always make my young children feel at ease during the appointments. I’d recommend them to anyone looking for a good dentist.
Large filling was carried out competently, no pain during and a mild, short-lived ache afterwards. Ventsi was kind and very clear with his explanations.
Excellent dental practice. Staff and service are of a high quality. My dentist, Ventsi and dental nurse Becky did a fabulous job, and I highly recommend them.
Excellent treatment at this practice. Both John, the dentist and Jane, the hygienist, are kind, gentle, and personable. I always feel comfortable, beautifully looked after and well informed. I am delighted with the care I receive for my teeth.
Lovely dentists and their colleagues who all go out of their way to provide the best service I’ve ever received. Highly recommended.
As I sat in the waiting room for my last hygienist appointment, a couple told me they had travelled from Wiltshire just to attend their appointment! Now, if that doesn’t tell you they’re good, nothing else will!
I have been with Berkhamsted Dental Practice for 25 years and have always found the dentists, hygienists, and all supporting staff just magnificent. My comfort is always put first, and the end result is great advice and great dental care. Nick is a fab addition to the team.
Berkhamsted dental prat is was very, very good! It was my first time going there, and the receptionist was so helpful! Nikhil, the dentist, was super friendly and helpful, and he always ensured I was feeling okay throughout the appointment. Overall, everyone was very accommodating, and I was really happy with the outcome of the appointment.
My family have used Berkhamsted dental practice for many years since my children were young. They now have their own children and still go to these kind and very professional dentists. New dentist Nick is just as caring and thorough as Claire and her husband.
I came to the practice recently as a new and nervous patient with a list of dental issues. Nikhil was so kind and reassuring and came up with a plan of treatment that made me feel comfortable and confident, and I am delighted with the results. All the staff are helpful and friendly, especially the lovely Sam at Reception.
I fractured a tooth over the bank holiday weekend and posted an email to the practice for an emergency appointment. I secured an appointment with a dentist I do not usually see, but was delighted by the personable approach and professionalism. I had a temporary fix done and made an appointment for a permanent filling. You can’t get better service than that. Thank you.
Claire and the team are fantastic; they always make me feel welcome and chat to me throughout appointments, which really helps with any anxiety I might have. I’m amazed how they remember who I am and what we chatted about on my last visit a year before, despite having seen hundreds of other patients in between! I am always given tips on how best to look after my teeth without any judgment to keep my smile looking natural and healthy. I would definitely recommend Berkhamsted Dental Practice to anyone.
Professional and friendly staff. Delighted with my results, and thank you, Nikhil, for your attention to detail and for going the extra mile!
As always, I feel very relaxed at my appointment and am very pleased with how I am looked after by all the staff.
I would like to thank Nikhil and his dental nurses for taking me through the process of having dental implants, which was well explained throughout. I am very happy with the result.
I have been with the Berkhamsted Dental Practice for many years; I love the sunny, friendly greeting when I arrive, my details already logged online, so no waiting. I have been with the Berkhamsted Dental Practice for many years; I love the sunny, friendly greeting when I arrive, my details already logged online, so no waiting.
Had my first appointment today, I am a very nervous person, but I had nothing to worry about, everyone was so kind, the dentist told me everything that was happening, and was so thoughtful. Would highly recommend. Amazing.
All staff were very kind and welcoming, from the receptionist to the doctors. Everyone was friendly and professional. During my appointment, everything was clearly explained, and the doctor consistently checked that I was comfortable and asked whether I needed her to stop.
Whether you’re booking your first appointment, have a question about our treatments, or simply want advice on your dental care — our friendly team is here to help.