Privacy

In accordance with the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988, the Dental Board Code of Conduct for Register Health Practitioners, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner- Australian Privacy Principles and the ACT Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997, a patient can expect that their personal health and other information will be collected, used, disclosed and stored in accordance with relevant laws about privacy, and that this information will remain confidential unless the law allows disclosure or the patient directs us to release the information.

The Privacy Policy of this practice consists of the following:

All information collected from the patient will be used for the purpose of providing treatment. Personal information such as name, address and health insurance details will be used for the purpose of addressing accounts to the patient, as well as processing payments and writing to the patient about any issues affecting their treatment.

We may disclose a patient’s health information to other health care professionals, or require it from them if, in our judgement, it is necessary in the context of the patient’s treatment. In this event disclosure of personal details will be minimised wherever possible.

We may also use parts of a patient’s health information for research purposes, in study groups or at seminars as this may provide benefit to other patients. Should that happen, a patient’s personal identity would not be disclosed without their consent to do so.

Patient history, treatment records, x-rays and any other material relevant to treatment will be kept and remain In a secure environment.

Any photographs used for marketing will be de-identified unless prior consent is sought from the patient. Under the privacy law, patients have rights of access to dental information held about them by this practice. We welcome a patient to inspect or request copies of their treatment records at any time, or seek an explanation from the dentist.

The following procedure has been developed to ensure that all requests for access are dealt with as efficiently as possible:

• All requests for access (other than straightforward requests for copies of test or treatment results made to your dentist during your consultation) should be made in writing using (where available) a Request for Release of Dental Records Form.
• Requests for access will be acknowledged within 30 days, the patient will be notified/advised when and if access will be granted.
• Where it is not possible for access to be granted within 30 days, the patient will be notified/advised when and if access will be granted.
• Where access is refused, the patient will be advised in writing of the reasons for refusal. This will include any information about other means by which access may be facilitated.
• A patient will not be permitted to remove any of the contents of their dental file from the practice, nor will they be permitted to alter or erase information contained in the dental record. However, if any of the information we have about a patient is inaccurate, a patient is encouraged to ask us to alter their records accordingly, in writing.
• When a request for copies of dental records is received, an administration fee might be charged and this would be at the discretion of the senior management/Principal Dentist and determined on a case by case basis.
• Generally, patients will be required to collect their records in person. However, in some limited circumstances patients may request in writing that records are provided to another person.
• If a patient, or authorised person, is collecting a copy of dental records, they may be required to provide identification. Where possible this should be photographic identification.
• If information is requested electronically, we cannot guarantee privacy at recipient addresses.