Cookie Policy
Shields Dental & Orthodontic Clinic
What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. They help websites function properly, improve user experience, and provide information about how the site is being used.
How We Use Cookies
We use cookies to:
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Ensure the website functions correctly
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Improve website performance and user experience
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Understand how visitors use our website
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Support online booking systems and contact forms
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Deliver relevant marketing content where you have given consent
We do not use cookies to store clinical or sensitive health information.
Types of Cookies We Use
1. Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the operation of our website, including security, page navigation, and access to secure areas.
The website cannot function properly without these cookies.
2. Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website (e.g. pages visited, time spent on site).
We may use tools such as Google Analytics. Data collected is aggregated and anonymised where possible and is not used to identify individual patients.
3. Functional Cookies
These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make and support features such as:
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Online enquiry forms
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Appointment booking systems
4. Marketing and Advertising Cookies
These cookies may be used to:
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Deliver relevant advertisements
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Measure marketing performance
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Track engagement with our website
These cookies are only used where you have provided consent.
Third-Party Cookies
We may use trusted third-party providers to support our services, including:
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Website analytics providers
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Appointment booking systems
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Payment processors (e.g. Stripe)
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Marketing and communication platforms
These providers process data on our behalf in accordance with GDPR and applicable data protection laws.
Where these services involve the processing of personal data, this is governed by our Privacy Policy.
Healthcare Data & Confidentiality
As a dental healthcare provider, we are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of patient information in line with professional and legal obligations.
Cookies used on this website:
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Do not access or store clinical records
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Do not contain sensitive medical information
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Are kept separate from patient record systems
All clinical and personal health data is handled securely in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable healthcare regulations.
Managing Cookies
When you first visit our website, you will be asked to accept or manage your cookie preferences.
You can:
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Accept all cookies
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Reject non-essential cookies
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Customise your preferences
You can also control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.
Legal Basis for Using Cookies
We rely on:
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Legitimate interest for strictly necessary cookies
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Consent for all non-essential cookies (analytics, functional, and marketing)
You can withdraw your consent at any time.
Updates to This Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact:
Shields Dental & Orthodontic Clinic
Email: hello@shieldsdentalclinic.ie
Relationship with Other Policies
This Cookie Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.