Privacy notice

Marula Dental Studio is a fictional practice. This website is a concept built by CodeLab One to show what a dental practice website can look like. Please do not send personal or health information through it, because there is no practice on the other side to receive it.

The notice below shows how a real practice would explain its handling of personal information under the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). Where it describes this website, it is accurate.

This website does not use cookies, analytics or tracking scripts, and it does not store anything you type into it. The appointment form and the "what should I do" guide run entirely in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent anywhere.

POPIA treats health information as special personal information, which may only be processed in limited circumstances, such as with your consent or by a health professional providing care. A practice uses it only to diagnose, treat and look after you, to claim from your medical aid, and to meet its legal and professional obligations.

With your knowledge, information may be shared with your medical scheme to process claims, with a dental laboratory making a crown or appliance for you, and with another health professional if you are referred. It is never sold or used for marketing by others.

Patient records are kept for at least six years after the last treatment, and for children until they turn 21, in line with HPCSA guidance on keeping patient records. They are then destroyed securely.

Under POPIA you may ask what personal information is held about you, ask for it to be corrected, and object to its processing in certain circumstances. You may also ask for a copy of your patient record. Requests go to the information officer, who for the purposes of this concept is Carla Pretorius, the practice manager.

If you are not satisfied with how a request is handled, you may complain to the Information Regulator of South Africa at inforegulator.org.za.