Patient data and privacy: how does your practice comply with the GDPR?

As a dental professional, you work with sensitive patient data every day. From treatment plans to medical records and x-rays: all this information falls under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The privacy rules are strict, and rightly so. But how do you ensure your practice is fully GDPR-compliant? And what steps can you take to truly protect data?

What does the GDPR entail?

The GDPR is the European privacy law that has been in effect since 2018 and is intended to protect citizens’ personal data. Healthcare providers, including dentists, dental hygienists, and prosthodontists, are subject to particularly stringent requirements because they work with sensitive personal data, such as medical data.

Failure to comply with these rules can lead to substantial fines and reputational damage. Privacy is therefore not only a legal obligation but also a matter of trust with your patients.

5 steps to GDPR compliance in your practice:

1. Map your data flows What data exactly do you collect, why, and how long do you retain it? Make this transparent for yourself and your patients. You must be able to explain and justify this.
2. Establish a privacy statement Ensure your practice has a clear privacy statement that states what data you collect, what it is used for, and how patients can exercise their rights. Post this statement on your website and refer to it in your practice.
3. Secure your systems Good digital security is crucial. Think of strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular software updates. Only work with practice software that meets the latest security standards.
4. Restrict data access Ensure that only authorized employees have access to patient data. Set clear roles and permissions within your software systems and maintain control over who can view or edit which information.
5. Train your team Your employees must know what the GDPR entails and how to handle patient data securely. Regular training prevents unintentional privacy violations.

Patient rights under the GDPR

Patients have several rights under the GDPR:

• The right to access their data;
• The right to correction or supplementation;
• The right to deletion of data (in some cases);
• The right to data portability.

Your practice must be able to comply with such a request within four weeks. So, make sure you have this process properly set up.

Practical pitfalls

Watch out for these common mistakes:

• Emailing sensitive data without encryption
• Using outdated software
• Not changing passwords regularly
• Leaving paper files unsecured

Make sure your practice minimizes these risks and, if necessary, work with an IT specialist for optimal security.

Dental Expo 2026: stay up-to-date on privacy and legislation

At Dental Expo, you can not only discover the latest digital solutions for oral care but also participate in knowledge sessions on privacy, GDPR, and digital security. This way, you, as a practice owner and healthcare provider, stay fully informed about the latest developments.

Your patients entrust you with their health and their data. By taking the right measures, you demonstrate that you are worthy of that trust. Discover how you can prepare for the future of digital care and visit Dental Expo 2026.