Does your dental practice website conform to the latest GDC website guidelines?
Below is a list of information included in the GDC's Principles of Ethical Advertising that should be on your website.
Please check your website has the following information on it, if not call design4dentists and we can help you bring your website up to date.
More
Dental professionals
In line with European guidance, for all dental professionals providing dental care mentioned on the website, the following information must be displayed:
•
their professional qualification and the country from which that qualification is derived; and
•
their GDC registration number
•
do not include any honorary qualification, or letters after your name relating to membership of an association, etc
More
Website information
Your dental practice website must display the following information:
the name and geographic address at which the dental service is established;
•
whether the practice is NHS only, mixed or wholly private;
•
contact details of the dental service, including e-mail address and telephone number;
•
the GDC’s address and other contact details, or a link to the GDC website;
•
details of the practice’s complaints procedure and information of who patients may contact if they are not satisfied with the response (namely the relevant NHS body for NHS treatment and the Dental Complaints Service for private treatment) and
•
the date the website was last updated
More
Regular updates
Update the information showing on your website regularly so that it accurately reflects the personnel at the practice and the service offered.
A dental practice website must not display information comparing the skills or qualifications of any dental professional providing any service with the skills and qualifications of other dental professionals and must not mislead patients with ambiguous statements or claims that cannot be backed up with facts.
More
Specialists
Only dentists who are on a GDC Specialist list may use the title 'specialist' or describe themselves as a 'specialist in' or 'specialising in' a particular form of treatment. However, dentists may use the term ‘special interest in... ' or 'experienced in...'.
More
Copyright General Dental Council – Effective from 1 March 2012
Guidelines for the use of social media, blogging etc are available on www.gdc-uk.org - search for ‘Guidance on using social media'.
For example, if you have a blog and comment on anonymised case studies, you must ensure that the patient(s) cannot be identified.
More
Enquire
CQC
Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Complaints Procedure
For patients’ peace of mind, you should include your CQC report and certificate number on your website. Also clear details of your Complaints Procedure should be easily found.
Data
Data protection/ICO
Your website should state that you comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the ICO registration number.
Visit www.ico.org.uk/for-organisations/health/ for more information.
Patient confidentiality
Your website should reassure patients that you adhere to the standards set out by the GDC with a link to their guide Principles of Patient Confidentiality:
Search for ‘principles of patient confidentiality' on www.gdc-uk.org.
Patient safety charter
Your website should have a detailed description of your safety procedures.
Our latest Google reviews
We have all the skills required to generate significant levels of new enquiries, appointments and revenue.
For example, if you have a blog and comment on anonymised case studies, you must ensure that the patient(s) cannot be identified.