1. Our Commitment and Scope

At Unley Park Dental Clinic (referred to as “we”, “us”, or “our”) in Adelaide, we are committed to protecting the privacy of your personal and health information.

This Privacy Policy complies with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) set out in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). As a Health Service Provider, we must adhere to these principles, regardless of our annual turnover.

2. Information We Collect and Hold 

We only collect information essential for providing high-quality dental care and managing our practice.

A. Personal & Sensitive Information

This includes information collected in the clinic and via our website:

• Identifiers: Name, date of birth, address, phone numbers, email address, and emergency contact details.
• Health Information (Sensitive): Your dental and medical history, current medications, x-rays, diagnostic images, treatment plans, diagnoses, and details of other treating health practitioners.
• Financial Data: Private health fund details, Medicare information, and billing details.

B. Website & Digital Data

When you visit our website, we automatically collect non-personal data through cookies and analytics (e.g., Google Analytics), such as your IP address, browser type, and pages visited. This data helps us improve our website and is not used to personally identify you unless you submit an enquiry.

3. Purposes for Collecting Your Information

We collect, hold, use, and disclose your information for the following primary purposes:

• Providing Dental Care: To assess, diagnose, and administer your dental treatment and manage your ongoing oral health records.
• Practice Management: For administrative functions, including billing, processing health fund and Medicare claims, and scheduling appointments (e.g., reminders/recall notices).
• Communication: To contact you regarding your care, follow-up, or to respond to your enquiries.
• Legal Compliance: To maintain records for mandatory periods and meet all professional and legal obligations.

4. How We Share and Disclose Your Information

We treat your personal and health information as strictly private. We will only share it in the following circumstances:

• With Your Consent: To other health providers (e.g., specialists, laboratories, GPs) involved in your care, or to a person you have nominated (e.g., next of kin in an emergency).
• External Service Providers: To essential contractors who assist with business operations, such as IT support, secure data storage, and auditors. These parties are subject to strict confidentiality agreements.
• Legal Requirements: If we are required or authorised to do so by an Australian law, court order, or regulatory body.

Overseas Disclosure (APP 8)

Some of our third-party data storage providers (e.g., cloud services) may use servers located outside of Australia. By providing us with your personal information, you consent to this limited transfer of data necessary for practice operation. We take reasonable steps to ensure these providers comply with the Australian Privacy Principles.

5. Security, Quality, and Anonymity

Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your data from misuse, loss, and unauthorised access:

• Physical Security: Hard copy records are kept in locked storage.
• Electronic Security: Electronic data is stored on secure, password-protected systems with restricted staff access and regular backups.
• Staff Training: All staff receive training on privacy and confidentiality.

Dealing with Us Anonymously (APP 2)

You may deal with us anonymously or by pseudonym where lawful and practicable (e.g., for general enquiries). However, for the provision of dental services, it is not practicable for us to deal with you anonymously as we must correctly identify you to maintain accurate health records.

6. Access and Correction

You have the right to request access to and correction of the personal information we hold about you.

• Requesting Access: All access requests must be made in writing to the Privacy Officer. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe (usually 30 days). We may charge a reasonable fee for providing copies of complex records (e.g., X-rays).
• Correction: We will take reasonable steps to correct any information you believe is inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading. If we do not agree with your requested correction, we will provide written reasons.

7. Direct Marketing and Complaints

Direct Marketing (APP 7)

We will not use your sensitive health information for direct marketing without your express consent. We may use your contact details to communicate updates or promotions about our services, but you can opt-out at any time by contacting us or using the unsubscribe link in the communication.

Privacy Policy Updates

Unley Park Dental may amend or replace our privacy policy from time to time. Any changes to this Privacy Policy will be published on this website.

Making a Privacy Complaint

If you believe your privacy has been breached or if you have a complaint about how we have handled your information, please contact our Privacy Officer in writing first.

Our Privacy Officer:

• Email: info@unleyparkdental.com.au