To think WTF at dentist’s receptionist.

[RedSkyLastNight]

Just picked up a message on my phone.
It from the dentist’s receptionist.
To tell me that they rescheduled my husband’s appointment next week.

AIBU to think WTF? My husband is a fully functioning adult, with his own mobile phone, whose number the dentist’s surgery has, why on earth would the receptionist think it was appropriate to ring his wife to pass on this message?
(isn’t it a breach of privacy if nothing else – I mean I knew he had a dentist appointment next week anyway, but what if there was some reason he didn’t want me to know?)

A doctors appointment is in no way similar to a dental appointment.

A doctor needs strict data protection a dentist doesnt. A person attending the dentist is going for their teeth. No issue. Someone going to the dr could be dying/having an abortion/having therapy/ one million and one other reasons they might not want anyone to know/be escaping abuse.

@marthaArthur
You’re very wrong. We have very very strict rules re confidentiality

A patient may not want their partner/family/ flatmate knowing they have an appointment - we’re not even allowed to admit someone is our patient

We deal with alsorts of highly confidential information daily
And anyone of the dental team could be fired for breach of confidence

E.g a former colleague/receptionist
Had neighbours who lived next door for years before she was employed at the practice One day mr neighbour popped in ask if his wife was finished receptionist says yes 5 mins
Someone else heard this conversation and my colleague was giving a massive telling off and nearly lost her job
It’s taken extremely seriously

Well Heather clearly.your dental surgery doesnt run the same as others because all my dentists have had the family plans where they can call the house or text another family member re passing on info and seemingly others on this thread have the same experience.

Ring them back explaining that they obviously have the wrong number for him. Ideally he would do this, but they may not believe him as they seem to think women do tooth admin.

Jesus Christ, this is not a feminist issue or “wife work.” Some of you need to get a grip. The most likely scenario is that the receptionist couldn’t get hold of the OP’s husband. The words mountain and molehill spring to mind. 🙄

It’s the standard way now Martha
I don’t know a practice that doesn’t run this way. Both the places I work now are very strict
As are the places I’ve worked at for the last 20 years
With the GDPR thing it will come eventually after all no dentist wants a £20 million fine

GDC

the patient’s name, current and previous addresses, bank account/credit card details, telephone number/email address and other means of personal identification such as physical description
information that the individual is or has been a patient of the practice or attended, cancelled or failed to attend an appointment on a certain day
information concerning the patient’s physical, mental or oral health or condition
information about the treatment that is planned, is being or has been provided
information about family members and personal circumstances supplied by the patient to others
the amount that was paid for treatment, the amount owing or the fact that the patient is a debtor to the practice.

So no this isn’t a breech of confidentiality as it doesn’t appear to cover this, most practices do seem to have family plans though. My dad still gets phone calls/texts reminding him about my appointments I’m 28

dipping thats exactly what we are told. Ours dont list details of money or treatemenst they only.contact based on appointments.

Technically it is a breach. Name and medical info.

It’s not medical info at all :s

The fact of a dentist appointment is medical info of course it is.

No it’s not - rescheduling a dental appointment is not medical information what so ever

It's a breach of his data and privacy. I've worked in this field. I'm sure it was well meaning but totally unprofessional.

It is medical info, he may not have told his wife he had a dental issue.

Dentists come under healthcare at the info is considered medical info by the ico. As do other regulated health professions like podiatry, physio.

erm an appointment doesn’t mean you have a dental issue it can be a check up :s surely working in the field you’d know that?

Again she hasn’t got the number from thin air has she?

You are being picky over nothing. Maybe they couldn't get hold of your husband and just wanted to get it off their to do list, or as others have said they got your numbers mixed up. It's hardly a big secret between husband and wife that one of you has a dentist appointment, its not like its an STD clinic appointment or something.

The fact of the appointment is considered a medical issue.

She’s used the wrong number or left a message giving too many details depending if it was mobile or home no - best practise is just to say it’s could you please call x on y number.

It doesn’t matter if it’s the std clinic or the dentist. The law does not distinguish.

It's data protection, check up or not.
As I said, it was probably well meant and she thought she was being helpful. However, not allowed unless there was express permission.

Perhaps the husband permitted it- but sounds like he didn't.

I don't think the OP was put out because of data protection but more because she felt like the dental practice viewed her as her husbands PA.