About this policy
Laverton Dental Clinic (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our patients and website visitors in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). As a healthcare provider, we also handle health information in line with the additional protections that apply to sensitive information under Australian privacy law.
This policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use and store it, and the rights you have regarding your information.
What information we collect
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:
- Contact details — name, phone number, email address, postal address
- Health information — dental and medical history, treatment records, x-rays, clinical notes, Medicare and health fund details (including Child Dental Benefits Schedule and health fund claiming information)
- Appointment and billing information — booking history, payment details, Medicare/health fund claim data
- Website usage information — collected automatically via cookies and analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics) when you browse our website, including pages visited and general location/device data
- Enquiry information — any details you provide through our website contact form
Why we collect it
We collect and use this information to:
- Provide dental treatment and manage your ongoing care
- Process Medicare, Child Dental Benefits Schedule, and private health fund claims
- Contact you regarding appointments, treatment plans, and reminders
- Respond to enquiries submitted through our website
- Meet our legal and professional record-keeping obligations as a registered dental practice
- Improve our website and services
How we collect it
We collect personal and health information directly from you — in person, by phone, email, or through our website contact form. We do not collect personal information about you from third parties except where necessary for your care (for example, referrals from other healthcare providers, or claims information from Medicare or your health fund).
Disclosure of your information
We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may disclose your information to:
- Other healthcare providers involved in your care (e.g. specialists we refer you to), with your consent
- Medicare and private health funds, for the purpose of processing claims
- Our website and IT service providers, who assist in running our website and systems (bound by confidentiality obligations)
- Regulatory bodies or authorities where required by law
We do not send personal information overseas unless a service provider we use (such as a cloud hosting or software provider) stores data outside Australia — in which case we take reasonable steps to ensure that provider handles your information in a way consistent with the APPs.
How we store and protect your information
Your information is stored securely, whether in our practice management software or physical records, with access limited to authorised staff involved in your care or the administration of the practice. We take reasonable technical and organisational steps to protect your information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.
In the event of a data breach likely to result in serious harm, we will comply with our obligations under the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme, including notifying affected individuals and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) where required.
Cookies and website analytics
Our website uses cookies and tools such as Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our site. You can disable cookies through your browser settings, though some website features may not function correctly as a result.
Accessing and correcting your information
You have the right to request access to the personal and health information we hold about you, and to request corrections if any of it is inaccurate, out of date, or incomplete. To make a request, contact us using the details below. We may need to verify your identity before releasing information, and in limited circumstances permitted by law we may need to decline a request — if so, we will explain why.
Making a complaint
If you have concerns about how we’ve handled your personal information, please contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue directly. If you’re not satisfied with our response, you can lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC):
- Website: oaic.gov.au
- Phone: 1300 363 992
Children’s privacy
We provide dental care to patients of all ages, including children, as part of our normal practice (including under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule). Health information for patients under 18 is collected and managed with the consent of a parent or guardian, and access requests relating to a child’s records are handled in line with our obligations under the Privacy Act.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal obligations. The current version will always be available on our website.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact us:
Laverton Dental Clinic 1/8 Neville Ave, Laverton VIC 3028 Phone: (03) 9369 8585 Email: admin@lavertondental.com.au