Open Wide

Popped into the dentist for a filling today. The old one fell out with a chewy caramel bar. On arrival I was given a form to fill in with my personal details and medical history. 

 

“Just an update dear” simpered the receptionist.

 

I read it as I was waiting. Name, OK, address OK, phone, mobile, email. Hmmmm. Occupation? At that moment the dentist called me in so I started quizzing him on the form. It wasn’t easy when he started prodding around in my mouth but afterwards I asked a few obvious questions. 

 

Why do you need my occupation to treat me? 

 

“We don’t actually. Err It’s not my form it’s supplied by a 3rd party. 

 

Sound like a data processor wagging the data controller to me…

 

Why do you need to know the amount of units of alcohol I consume each week?

 

“Alcohol is a major factor in oral cancer”

 

OK I’ll give you that one.

 

Do you share my data with my doctor or the local hospital?

 

“No we don’t. I suspect they don’t talk to each other. ha ha. Why are you asking all these questions?’

 

My job involves working with Data Protection.

 

“Oh it’s OK we have a Data Protection Certificate downstairs in reception. We won’t pass your data to anyone. Ha ha. It’s all just paperwork that we have to fill in”.

 

Not particularly reassuring. No DP statement on the questionnaire. No understanding of Notification or Certification (whatever that is). No idea about the data controller/data processor situation. Some Principle 3 considerations. Who trains dentists? What time do chinese people go to the dentist?

 

We know that one. 2-30.

We have a hole in our programme when it comes to training dentists. However, our basic DP course may be of use.

Author: actnowtraining

Act Now Training is Europe's leading provider of information governance training, serving government agencies, multinational corporations, financial institutions, and corporate law firms. Our associates have decades of information governance experience. We pride ourselves on delivering high quality training that is practical and makes the complex simple. Our extensive programme ranges from short webinars and one day workshops through to higher level practitioner certificate courses delivered online or in the classroom. View all posts by actnowtraining