Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you visit or use our website: https://drstuartgarton.com/. We take your privacy seriously and comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and other applicable laws relating to the protection of personal data.

1. Who We Are

This website is operated by Dr Stuart Garton.

Registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) – 149816

2. What Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of personal data:

• Contact information – name, email address, phone number, postal address
• Health information – medical and dental history (if you submit this via forms or booking systems)
• Technical data – IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, and browsing behaviour
• Communication data – messages you send us via web forms, email, or other contact methods
• Marketing preferences – your consent to receive marketing or newsletters

We do not knowingly collect data from children under the age of 13 without parental consent.

3. How We Collect Your Information

We collect information in the following ways:

• When you fill in a form on our website (e.g., contact, enquiry, or booking forms)
• When you communicate with us by email, phone or otherwise
• Through automated technologies such as cookies and analytics tools (see Section 7)

4. How We Use Your Information

We may use your personal data to:

• Respond to your enquiries and provide dental services
• Manage appointments and clinical records
• Send you information or reminders related to your treatment
• Improve our website and user experience
• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
• Send newsletters or marketing (with your explicit consent)

We will only use your personal information when the law allows us to. Common lawful bases include your consent, performance of a contract, compliance with legal obligations, and legitimate interests.

5. How We Share Your Information

We will never sell your personal data. However, we may share your information with:

• Third-party service providers (e.g. hosting, analytics, marketing software), under strict data processing agreements
• Regulatory bodies (e.g. GDC, CQC) or legal authorities if required by law
• Referral providers (e.g. dental laboratories or specialists), with your consent

6. How We Protect Your Data

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

• Secure hosting environments
• HTTPS encryption for website data transmission
• Access controls and staff training

We retain your data only for as long as necessary for the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law (e.g. medical record retention standards).

7. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website uses cookies to improve functionality and analyse traffic. Cookies are small text files stored on your device.

We use:

• Essential cookies – required for basic site functionality
• Analytics cookies – e.g., Google Analytics to monitor site usage
• Marketing cookies – if you consent, for personalised content

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or via our cookie banner when you first visit the site.

8. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request erasure of your data (where applicable)
• Object to or restrict processing
• Withdraw your consent at any time
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

To exercise your rights, please contact us using the details below.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to other websites. This policy does not apply to those sites, and we are not responsible for their privacy practices.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page and, where appropriate, notified to you by email.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please contact:

Dr Stuart Garton – via the contact form on our website.

You can also contact the UK’s data protection authority:
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)