As part of your visit to the Leeds Dental institute, you may be asked to have some clinical photographs or clinical video recordings taken.
What are clinical photographs and video recordings?
Photographs are taken with a digital camera and video recordings are taken with a video camera. They are not radiographs.
Why would clinical photographs and video recordings be taken?
Clinical photographs and videos can be useful to help with diagnosing, treating, and monitoring medical conditions, and also for teaching and research.
What equipment will be used to take the photographs and videos?
A professional digital camera or video camera will be used. If we need to take photographs in your mouth, we may have to use specific instruments to retract your lips which are called retractors, or a tongue depressor, and we may need to insert a mirror to allow a good view of the lesion we have been requested to photograph. The retraction equipment, mirror or tongue depressor does not hurt but it may feel slightly uncomfortable. The equipment is safe, sterile, and used solely for clinical purposes.
Who will take the images?
The images or videos will be taken by a qualified medical photographer. They have experience in taking clinical images while ensuring your comfort and privacy.
Where will they be taken?
The photographs or videos will be taken in a private, safe area, such as a clinic room, hospital ward, or our dedicated photographic studio. Your privacy will be a top priority during this process.
Do I have a choice?
Yes, you have the right to choose whether to have clinical photographs or videos taken. Your doctor or dentist will explain to you why they would like to capture any images and what the images will be used for. If you choose not to give consent, this will not affect the care you receive.
What will the images be used for?
Before the images are taken you will be informed which consent your doctor or dentist has requested. There are three levels of consent:
- Patient Record only means that the photographs will be kept in your clinical records and may only be used by clinical staff involved with your treatment or clinical assessment.
- Education and Research means that your photographs may be used for teaching trainee doctors and other medical staff within a clinical setting.
- Publication means your doctor might also ask you whether we can use the photographs/video for another ‘specified purpose’. This might, for example, be publication in a book or medical journal. In this case you will be given details of the publication in which your picture/video will be used. Often, your doctor or dentist will not know until sometime later that a photograph is needed for a publication. In these cases, they will contact you to ask for your permission.
You will be asked to sign a consent form to show that you agree. At the end of the photography/video session you will be given that consent form to keep.
Can I change my mind?
You may withdraw your consent afterwards if you change your mind. You should do this by contacting the Medical and Dental Illustration Department using our contact details at the end of this document. Photographs and videos that have been placed in your medical records cannot be removed. Images that have already been published may not be able to be fully withdrawn from circulation but consent to further publication can be withdrawn. Images published on the internet can be withdrawn, though there is no guarantee once published, the spread of images can be controlled.
Where will the images be stored?
The images and videos taken by Medical Photography are uploaded to a secure hospital wide server called Medical Imaging Manager (MIM).
Can I Have Access to Them?
Yes, you can request access to your clinical photographs or videos. You will need to complete an ‘Access to Health Records’ form. There is a charge for this service.
Contact details
Phone: 0113 343 6259
Email: [email protected]
Address:
Medical and Dental Illustration, Level 5,
Leeds Dental Institute,
Clarendon Way,
Leeds,
LS2 9LU.