Privacy policy
Short version: we don’t track you, we don’t use analytics cookies, banner ads only load if you say yes, and we don’t ask for personal details.
Last updated 20 October 2026.
Cookies and tracking
This website does not use tracking or analytics cookies, and its own scripts, fonts and images are all served from our own server. We set no cookies of our own for visitors.
When you first visit, a bar asks whether you’re happy with ads cookies. We keep your answer in your browser’s local storage (or, if that’s blocked, in a small cookie from this site called ads_consent) for 6 months, so we don’t have to ask on every page. It holds only “accept” or “reject” and the date, and it isn’t sent to anyone.
Banner ads
Some pages have up to two banner ads: one under the menu, and one part-way through a guide, problem, treatment or comparison page. There are none on the emergency page, the problem finder, this page, the terms, medical disclaimer, sources, affiliate and contact pages. The ads come from 5od (5od.co.uk), a small ad service run by the owner of this site. They’re contextual: 5od chooses a banner to suit the page you’re reading, not you. 5od itself sets no cookies and builds no profile of you; your browser sends it the site, the ad position and size, and the address of the page. Ads for prescription medicines are not shown on this site. An ad is never a recommendation from us: always ask a dentist about your own teeth.
The banners are for shops and brands in the Awin affiliate network. Awin’s banner images and links can set Awin’s own cookies: when a banner is shown, and when you click one, so that a purchase can be credited to us. That’s why nothing loads until you choose:
- Accept ads cookies: banners load, and Awin is told you agreed.
- Reject: no banners load at all, and your browser doesn’t contact 5od or Awin for ads.
- JavaScript off: no ads load and you won’t be asked.
Like any website, 5od’s server sees your IP address when your browser asks it for a banner. 5od doesn’t store raw IP addresses: it keeps a scrambled (salted and hashed) version for up to 2 days, only to limit abuse.
Changing your mind
Use Cookie settings (also at the bottom of every page) to see your current choice and change it at any time. If you switch from accept to reject, banners stop loading straight away. Any Awin cookies already set stay in your browser until they expire, or until you delete them in your browser’s settings (clearing this site’s data also resets your choice, and we’ll ask again).
Server logs
Like almost every website, our web server automatically records basic technical information when pages are requested, such as the IP address, date and time, page requested, browser type and referring page. These logs are used to keep the site secure and working, and are kept only for a limited period by our hosting provider.
Links to other websites
When you click a link to another website (for example the NHS or a retailer), it passes through a short redirect on our site, such as /go/nhs-toothache/. We record the date and time, which link was clicked and which of our pages it was clicked from, so we can see which links are useful. We do not record your IP address or any other personal information in these click counts.
Once you leave our site, the other website’s own privacy policy applies. Retailers may use cookies to track purchases if a link is an affiliate link.
Forms and email
This site has no sign-up or contact forms. The problem finder runs in your browser and the symptoms you tick are not stored. If you email us, we will use your email only to reply and will delete it when it’s no longer needed.
Your rights
Under UK data protection law you can ask what personal data we hold about you and ask us to delete it. Email hello@dentistdisaster.co.uk. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office.