Privacy Policy

Our Commitment to Privacy

 

We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). These principles govern how we collect, use, disclose, store, secure, and dispose of your Personal Information.

 

For more information on the Australian Privacy Principles, you can visit the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.aoic.gov.au.

 

Collecting Your Personal Information

 

 

What is Personal Information?

 

Personal Information is any information or opinion that can identify you. Examples of the information we collect include:

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• Contact Details: Names, addresses, email addresses, phone, and facsimile numbers.

 

How We Collect Information

 

We collect your Personal Information in various ways, including:

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• During interviews and correspondence.

• By telephone and facsimile.

• Via email.

• Through our website, www.goonellabahdental.com, including the use of cookies.

• From publicly available sources or from third parties (e.g., your previous dentist or health fund).

 

Note: We do not guarantee the security or policies of external website links or authorised third parties.

 

Why We Collect Your Information

 

The primary purpose for collecting your Personal Information is to:

1. Provide our dental services to you.

2. Provide necessary information to our clients (e.g., sending appointment reminders).
    

We may also use your information for related secondary purposes, such as direct marketing (e.g., newsletters). You have the right to unsubscribe from our mailing or marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing.

When we collect your Personal Information, we will, where appropriate and possible, explain why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.

 

Handling Sensitive Information

 

Sensitive Information is a specific category under the Privacy Act, which includes details about your health information (essential for your dental care), racial or ethnic origin, religious beliefs, etc.

We will only use or disclose your Sensitive Information:

• For the primary purpose for which it was collected (i.e., providing your dental treatment).

• For a secondary purpose directly related to the primary purpose.

• With your consent.

• Where required or authorised by law.

 

Disclosure of Personal Information

 

Your Personal Information may be disclosed in limited circumstances, including:

• To third parties where you have given your consent for the use or disclosure (e.g., sharing X-rays with a specialist or claiming through your health fund).

• Where required or authorised by Australian law.

Where reasonable and practical, we prefer to collect your Personal Information directly from you. If we receive information about you from a third party, we will take reasonable steps to ensure you are aware of the information they have provided to us.

 

Security and Storage of Information

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Security Measures

 

We store your Personal Information in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse, loss, and from unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.

 

Data Retention

 

We will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information when it is no longer required for the purpose for which it was obtained.

 

Note: Due to legal and professional requirements, most of your dental records and related Personal Information will be stored in client files and kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.

 

Accessing and Maintaining Your Information

 

Access to Information

 

You have the right to access the Personal Information we hold about you and to request an update or correction, subject to certain exceptions under the Privacy Act.

• To access your information, please contact us in writing.

• We will not charge a fee for the access request itself, but we may charge a reasonable administrative fee for providing a copy of your records.

• To protect your privacy, we may require proof of identification before releasing the requested information.

 

Maintaining Quality

 

It's important to us that your Personal Information is accurate and current. We take reasonable steps to ensure your records are accurate, complete, and up to date. If you find that the information we hold is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and continue providing you with quality services.

 

Policy Updates, Complaints, and Enquiries

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Policy Updates

 

This Privacy Policy may change from time to time. The current version will always be available on our website.

 

Complaints and Enquiries

 

If you have any questions or complaints about our Privacy Policy or the management of your Personal Information, please contact us:

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Address: 25 Rous Road, Goonellabah, NSW, 2480

Email: goonellabahdental@gmail.com

Phone: 02 6624 1408

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