Privacy Rules for Dental Case Photos

Sharing cases for learning is useful. Protecting the patient is non-negotiable. Follow your local rules and clinic policy every time, even for a quick peer message.

Crop to the mouth whenever you can. If you need an extraoral view, cover eyes and other identifying features with solid bars, not thin lines someone can still recognize through.

Watch background details too. Clinic logos, sticky notes, chart corners, and unique room features can identify a practice and sometimes a patient context.

Rare combinations of age, gender, and a highly unusual presentation can also make someone identifiable. When a case is that distinctive, get clear consent or keep it offline.

Remove EXIF data so location and device details do not travel with the file. Export a fresh copy after editing instead of uploading the original phone file.

Keep written authorization when your setting requires it. Store consent with the case notes the same way you would store other clinical paperwork.

If a colleague asks for extra photos, send only what is needed for the question. More images create more privacy surface area.

Once the photos are cleaned up, share the case with peers on Dentza.

Build the habit now so privacy work becomes automatic instead of a last-minute scramble before posting.