At Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry Centre, we are committed to protecting your personal and health information with the highest standards of confidentiality and professionalism. This commitment is guided by the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic), and the privacy and ethical guidelines of the Australian Dental Association (ADA) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Our practice is dedicated to safeguarding the personal information of both patients and staff in accordance with Commonwealth legislation, including the Privacy Act 1988. We also adhere to regulatory guidance set by the Dental Board of Australia, ensuring compliance with best-practice standards in health care privacy and information security.
As part of our routine operations, we collect both administrative and clinical data. Administrative information includes your name, phone number, residential and billing address, private health fund details and membership number, Medicare number (if applicable), financial records such as accounts and payments (retained for five years in line with Australian Taxation Office requirements), insurance claims, and information relating to work-related injuries (kept for five years under Work Health and Safety legislation). This information is necessary for practice management, billing, and regulatory compliance.
We also maintain comprehensive dental records that support the provision of safe, effective, and continuous care. These records include diagnostic results, details of examinations and treatments, medication sensitivities, referrals, x-rays, communications with laboratories and other health practitioners, and clinical advice. Information may be obtained from or shared with other health practitioners involved in your care—with your consent. Personal details are routinely verified and treatment records are updated at each consultation. While retrospective notes may be added to clarify past care, clinical records are not altered once entered.
Your health information may be viewed or used by treating health practitioners involved in your care, or in de-identified form for academic or quality improvement purposes. It may also be shared with insurance providers or legal professionals if treatment is part of an insurance claim or the subject of a complaint. Where applicable, health care identifiers are used in accordance with the Healthcare Identifiers Act 2010 (Cth), and the practice does not adopt or disclose other government-issued identifiers unless permitted by law.
You have the right to request access to your personal information or request corrections at any time, except where access is restricted under law. A reasonable fee may be charged to recover administrative costs associated with providing copies of electronic or paper records. We make every reasonable effort to ensure your information is accurate, complete, and up to date. Unsolicited or outdated information is securely disposed of.
We take all reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. This includes physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of your records.
If your concern is not resolved within 30 days, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) via their website: Privacy complaints | OAIC.
