Cookies Policy

Last Updated: October 2025

Introduction

This Cookies Policy explains how Helsby Dental Surgery (“we”, “us”, or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website. This policy should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy.

Practice Details:

  • Name: Helsby Dental Surgery
  • Website: www.helsbydental.co.uk
  • Address: 208 Chester Road, Helsby, Frodsham, Cheshire WA6 0AW
  • Email: info@helsbydental.co.uk

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and provide a better user experience.

Cookies typically contain:

  • The name of the website that created the cookie
  • A unique identifier
  • Some data or information
  • An expiration date

How We Use Cookies

We use cookies to:

  • Ensure our website functions properly
  • Remember your preferences and settings
  • Understand how you interact with our website
  • Improve your browsing experience
  • Analyse website traffic and performance
  • Deliver relevant content and advertising (with your consent)

Types of Cookies We Use

Cookies can be categorized by their purpose and duration. Below are the types of cookies we use on our website:

1. Strictly Necessary Cookies

Purpose: These cookies are essential for our website to function properly. They enable basic features such as page navigation, access to secure areas, and online booking functionality.

Examples:

  • Session cookies to maintain your connection
  • Security cookies to authenticate users
  • Cookie consent preferences

Duration: Session cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or persistent cookies (remain on your device for a set period)

Legal Basis: These cookies are necessary for the performance of our website and do not require your consent.

You cannot disable these cookies as they are essential for the website to work.

2. Performance and Analytics Cookies

Purpose: These cookies collect information about how visitors use our website, such as which pages are visited most often and if users receive error messages. This helps us improve how our website works.

Examples:

  • Google Analytics cookies (e.g., _ga, _gid, _gat)
  • Page load time tracking
  • Visitor journey analysis

Information Collected:

  • Pages visited
  • Time spent on pages
  • Browser type and version
  • Device type
  • IP address (anonymized)
  • Referral source

Duration: Typically 24 months from your last visit

Third-Party Providers: Google Analytics

Your Choice: You can opt out of these cookies through our cookie consent banner or your browser settings.

3. Functionality Cookies

Purpose: These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make (such as your username, language preference, or region) and provide enhanced, personalized features.

Examples:

  • Language preferences
  • Font size preferences
  • Appointment booking preferences
  • Previously viewed content

Duration: Typically 12 months

Your Choice: You can control these cookies through our cookie consent banner. Disabling them may affect website functionality.

4. Targeting and Advertising Cookies

Purpose: These cookies are used to deliver advertisements more relevant to you and your interests. They may also limit the number of times you see an advertisement and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

Examples:

  • Social media cookies (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
  • Google AdWords cookies
  • Remarketing cookies

Information Collected:

  • Browsing behaviour across websites
  • Ad interaction data
  • Demographic information

Duration: Typically 12-24 months

Third-Party Providers:

  • Google Ads
  • Facebook Pixel
  • Other advertising networks

Your Choice: You can opt out of these cookies through our cookie consent banner. We will only use targeting cookies with your explicit consent.

5. Social Media Cookies

Purpose: These cookies are set by social media platforms we have integrated into our website (such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram). They enable you to share content and interact with social media directly from our website.

Examples:

  • Facebook Like and Share buttons
  • Twitter Tweet buttons
  • Instagram feed integration

Information Collected:

  • Your interactions with social media widgets
  • Your social media profile information (if you’re logged in)

Duration: Varies by platform

Third-Party Privacy Policies:

  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/privacy
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/privacy
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legal/privacy

Your Choice: You can disable these cookies through our consent banner or by managing your social media platform settings.

First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies

First-Party Cookies: Set directly by Helsby Dental Surgery. We have full control over these cookies.

Third-Party Cookies: Set by external services we use (such as Google Analytics, social media platforms, or advertising networks). These are governed by the third party’s privacy policies.

Cookie Duration

Session Cookies: These temporary cookies are deleted when you close your browser. They help us track your activity during a single browsing session.

Persistent Cookies: These cookies remain on your device for a specified period (from days to years) even after you close your browser. They remember your preferences across multiple visits.

Detailed Cookie List

Below is a detailed list of the specific cookies we use:

Essential Cookies

cookie_consent

  • Purpose: Stores your cookie preferences
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Provider: Helsby Dental

PHPSESSID

  • Purpose: Maintains your session
  • Duration: Session
  • Provider: Helsby Dental

security_token

  • Purpose: Security authentication
  • Duration: Session
  • Provider: Helsby Dental

Analytics Cookies

_ga

  • Purpose: Distinguishes unique users
  • Duration: 2 years
  • Provider: Google Analytics

_gid

  • Purpose: Distinguishes unique users
  • Duration: 24 hours
  • Provider: Google Analytics

_gat

  • Purpose: Throttles request rate
  • Duration: 1 minute
  • Provider: Google Analytics

Functionality Cookies

language_pref

  • Purpose: Stores language preference
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Provider: Helsby Dental

appointment_data

  • Purpose: Remembers booking information
  • Duration: Session
  • Provider: Helsby Dental

Advertising Cookies (with consent only)

_fbp

  • Purpose: Facebook advertising tracking
  • Duration: 3 months
  • Provider: Facebook

IDE

  • Purpose: Google advertising preferences
  • Duration: 2 years
  • Provider: Google

fr

  • Purpose: Facebook ad delivery
  • Duration: 3 months
  • Provider: Facebook

Managing Your Cookie Preferences

You have several options for managing cookies:

1. Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner that allows you to:

  • Accept all cookies
  • Reject non-essential cookies
  • Customize your cookie preferences by category

You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link in our website footer.

2. Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to manage cookies through their settings. You can:

  • Block all cookies
  • Block third-party cookies only
  • Delete existing cookies
  • Receive notifications when websites set cookies

How to manage cookies in popular browsers:

  • Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data
  • Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
  • Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies and website data
  • Microsoft Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Cookies and site data
  • Opera: Settings > Privacy & security > Cookies and other site data

Please note that blocking or deleting cookies may affect your experience on our website and limit certain functionality.

3. Third-Party Opt-Out Tools

You can opt out of specific third-party cookies using these tools:

  • Google Analytics Opt-out: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
  • Your Online Choices (EU): http://www.youronlinechoices.com/uk/
  • Network Advertising Initiative: http://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/
  • Digital Advertising Alliance: http://www.aboutads.info/choices/

4. Do Not Track Signals

Some browsers include a “Do Not Track” (DNT) feature that signals to websites that you do not want your online activity tracked. We respect DNT signals for non-essential cookies where technically feasible.

Web Beacons and Tracking Pixels

In addition to cookies, we may use web beacons (also called tracking pixels or clear GIFs). These are tiny graphics embedded in web pages or emails that allow us to track whether content has been viewed or emails have been opened.

We use web beacons for:

  • Email campaign analytics
  • Website conversion tracking
  • Understanding user engagement

The same privacy controls that apply to cookies also apply to web beacons.

Local Storage and Similar Technologies

Our website may also use:

  • Local Storage: Stores data locally in your browser (similar to cookies but with more capacity)
  • Session Storage: Temporarily stores data that is cleared when you close your browser
  • IndexedDB: A more advanced local database for storing structured data

These technologies are used to improve website performance and user experience. You can clear them through your browser settings.

Mobile Device Identifiers

If you access our website through a mobile device, we may collect unique device identifiers and mobile advertising IDs. You can control advertising tracking through your device settings:

  • iOS: Settings > Privacy > Advertising > Limit Ad Tracking
  • Android: Settings > Google > Ads > Opt out of Ads Personalization

Children’s Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through cookies. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately.

Updates to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, our business practices, or for other operational reasons.

When we make significant changes, we will:

  • Update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy
  • Notify you through our website or via email (if you are a registered patient)
  • Request renewed consent where required by law

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

International Data Transfers

Some third-party cookie providers may transfer data internationally. When this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data in accordance with UK GDPR and data protection laws.

Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, you have rights regarding your personal information collected through cookies:

  • Right to Access: Request information about cookies and data collected
  • Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate information
  • Right to Erasure: Request deletion of cookie data (where applicable)
  • Right to Restrict Processing: Limit how we use cookie data
  • Right to Object: Object to cookie use for marketing purposes
  • Right to Withdraw Consent: Change your cookie preferences at any time

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details below.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about our use of cookies or this Cookies Policy, please contact us:

Helsby Dental Surgery

  • Address: 208 Chester Road, Helsby, Frodsham, Cheshire WA6 0AW
  • Phone: 01928 722521
  • Email: info@helsbydental.co.uk

Complaints

If you have concerns about how we handle cookies or your personal data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

  • Website: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/
  • Phone: 0303 123 1113
  • Address: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF

By continuing to use our website, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with this Cookies Policy.