Privacy Policy.
Last updated September 2023
At Durlacher Dental Care we are committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and the Privacy Act 1988 (cth). by using our services or providing us with your personal information, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
Collection of Personal Information
All information we collect from you will be used for the purpose of providing treatment within our practice. We will only collect information necessary to provide our services. Types of information we collect include:
- Personal information such as name, address, email address and phone numbers; used for the purpose of addressing accounts to responsible parties, sending appointment reminders and writing to patients about issues affecting treatment.
- Health information: including your dental and medical history, treatment records, and any information relevant to your oral health.
- Financial Information: Such as payment details, Medicare number, and health insurance fund details for billing and insurance purposes.
- Identification Information: Such as your date of birth and Medicare number.
2. How We Collect Personal Information
We may collect your personal information through various means. As a new patient you will be asked to complete a new patient questionnaire and give us information required to provide dental services to you in a safe and appropriate manner. You will be asked to update this dental questionnaire each year. The questionnaire contains details of your dental and medical history including any medications you are taking. Our dentists or staff members may also request personal information verbally for the purpose of booking appointments and carrying out appropriate treatment. Verbal information may also be necessary to confirm our records are correct.
We may also collect information about you from third parties such as referring health care providers, dental specialists, or other health care practitioners (including your GP) or health insurance companies with your consent.
In cases where an individual is unable to provide us with the necessary personal information required for the provision of dental services – for instance, if the patient is a minor or lacks the capacity to supply these particulars – we will request that such information be provided by the patient's legal guardian or another authorized representative.
Information may also be collected through automated technologies when you visit our website or use our online services (e.g., cookies and analytics).
3. Use of Personal Information
We may use your personal information for the following purposes:
- Providing dental care and treatment.
- Appointment scheduling and reminders, including reminders for follow up services and continuation of care.
- Processing payments and health insurance claims.
- Communicating with you about your dental care.
- Improving our services.
- Complying with legal and regulatory requirements.
4. Disclosure of Personal Inforamation
We may disclose your personal information to:
- Our dental team members and healthcare providers involved in your treatment.
- Health insurance companies for processing claims.
- Government authorities as required by law.
- Third-party service providers who assist us in managing our business operations (e.g., IT support, payment processing, debt collection agencies if you do not pay your invoices within the required time).
- Other third parties with your consent including dental specialists and other health care practitioners.
We will disclose your dental records to a third party if you have agreed that we can do so; ideally by signing a release of records form.
Other than set out in this policy, we will only disclose your personal information without your agreement if we are legally required to do so. Under the privacy act, we must disclose your personal information if we are directed to do so by a government or regulatory body (including Medicare) or a statutory body (e.g., court or a tribunal) with legal powers to obtain your information.
5. Security of Personal Information
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. We use physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to secure your data.
6. Access and Correction
You have the right to access and correct your personal information held by us. If you wish to do so, please contact us using the contact information provided below. We will always try to meet your request within a reasonable time frame.
Your request for access may be denied in the event of us no longer holding records pertaining to you or if the information relates to existing or anticipated legal proceedings and would not normally be disclosed as apart of these proceedings. If we are unable to give you access to information you have requested, we will give you written reasons for this decision when we respond to your request.
7. Retention of Personal Information
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected and in accordance with legal requirements.
8. Complaints
If you believe that we have not complied with this Privacy Policy or if you have any questions, concerns or complaints about this privacy policy including the way in which we collect, store and disclose your personal information please contact us during office hours using the below details. We will always try to respond to you within a reasonable time frame.
You can request a copy of this policy by mail or email.
Our Contact details are set out below:
Phone Number: (08) 9964 5005
Postal Address: PO Box 1235, Geraldton, WA, 6531
Email: admin@durlacherdental.com.au
9. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal and regulatory reasons. The most recent version of this Privacy Policy will be posted on our website with the date of the last update.
By using our services after any changes to this Privacy Policy, you acknowledge and agree to the updated terms.
This Privacy Policy was last updated on 14/09/2023