1. Who We Are
DentistFinder ("we", "us", "our") operates the website dentistfinder.co.uk. We are an independent dental practice directory service based in England. For any privacy-related enquiries, please contact us at [email protected].
2. What Data We Collect
We collect the minimum data necessary to operate our service:
Information you provide directly
- Reviews: Name (displayed publicly), email address (not displayed), review content, and ratings. Email is used only to contact you about your review if needed.
- Contact form: Name, email, and message content.
- Email alerts: Email address and postcode (if you sign up for notifications).
Information collected automatically
- Community votes: We record your IP address when you vote on acceptance status, solely to prevent duplicate voting. IP addresses are not linked to any other data.
- Server logs: Standard web server logs including IP address, browser type, and pages visited. These are retained for up to 30 days for security and debugging purposes.
Information we do NOT collect
- We do not use third-party analytics trackers (Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, etc.).
- We do not use advertising cookies or retargeting.
- We do not collect health information about patients.
3. How We Use Your Data
- To display your review on the relevant practice listing (name and review content only).
- To respond to your contact form messages.
- To send you email alerts you've opted into.
- To prevent abuse of our voting and review systems.
- To maintain security and diagnose technical issues.
4. Legal Basis for Processing
Under UK GDPR, we process your data based on:
- Consent — when you submit a review, contact form, or sign up for alerts.
- Legitimate interest — for server logs and vote tracking to maintain security and prevent abuse.
5. Data Sharing
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data. We may share data only with:
- Hosting providers who process data on our behalf under data processing agreements.
- Law enforcement if required by law or to protect our legal rights.
6. Data Retention
- Reviews: Retained indefinitely while the practice listing exists. You may request deletion at any time.
- Contact messages: Retained for up to 12 months, then deleted.
- Vote IP addresses: Retained for 90 days, then deleted.
- Server logs: Retained for 30 days.
7. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you.
- Rectify inaccurate personal data.
- Erase your personal data ("right to be forgotten").
- Restrict processing of your data.
- Object to processing based on legitimate interest.
- Port your data to another service.
To exercise any of these rights, email [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days.
8. Cookies
We use only essential cookies required for the website to function (session management, CSRF protection). We do not use tracking cookies, advertising cookies, or third-party cookies.
9. Children's Privacy
Our service is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. If you believe we have collected data from a child, please contact us immediately.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated "last updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
11. Contact & Complaints
For privacy enquiries: [email protected]
If you're not satisfied with our response, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.