Your health information and our privacy policy

Our practice respects your right to privacy. We realise that it is important that you understand the purpose for which we collect details about your health, as well as how this information is used at our practice and to whom this information might be disclosed.

The policy of our practice is to follow these procedures:

1. The information collected will be used for the purpose of providing treatment to you. Personal information such as your name, address and health insurance details will be used for the purpose of addressing accounts to you, as well as processing payments and writing to you about our services and any issues affecting your treatment.
2. We may disclose your health information to other health-care professionals, including specialists we may refer you to, or require it from them if, in our judgment, that is necessary in the context of your treatment. In that event, disclosure of your personal details will be minimised wherever possible.
3. Your medical history, treatment records, x-rays and any other material relevant to your treatment will be kept here. Occasionally, for some radiographs and photographs, secure offsite storage media are utilised or these records may emailed or sent to third parties (for example, in the manufacture of appliances or digitisation of models).
   
   You may inspect or request copies of our records of your treatment at any time, or seek an explanation from the orthodontist. Statutory fees will apply in relation to the types of access that you seek. If you request an explanation of our records or a written summary, our usual fees apply to these services.
4. With your consent we may also use aspects of your health information for research and continuing education purposes. The benefits of case presentations are aimed at improving inpatient treatment methods, however these benefits are not guaranteed. In the case of research and/or case presentations, all personal details will be kept confidential except for:
   
   • Patients’ first name and age.
   • Dental and orthodontic history.
   • Photographs of the inside of the mouth and the face.
   • Brief details of your dental characteristics, proposed treatment and treatment result.

   This may be used particularly for:

   • Continuing education seminars.
   • Publication as a case report in refereeing dental and orthodontic journals.
   • Australian Orthodontic Board Certification – continuing education.
   • Facial photos to be placed on the wall in the practice.
   • On our web site e.g. to demonstrate the results of treatment with before and after photographs.
5. If any other information we have about you is inaccurate, you may ask us to alter our records accordingly.

We rely heavily upon you to advise us of any significant changes in your general health or well-being that are relevant to your dental care.

You can be rest assured that your health information will be treated with the utmost of confidentiality. The disclosure will not be made to any person not involved in either your treatment or the administration of this practice, without your prior written consent. If you have any queries or concerns about our handling of your health information, please do not hesitate to raise these concerns with our practice.

If you consent to the policy of our practice, please sign below where indicated. If you do not want personal details used for any of the purposes above, please put a line through any that apply and initial.

Please note: you may notify us and withdraw from providing information or consent for research or continuing education at any time, without any adverse effects on your future treatment.

What adults should know before getting braces… 

• Orthodontic work can be more complex in adults than teens because of crowns, cavity fillings and other past treatments.
• Braces might not resolve some problems in adults because, unlike teens, the face has stopped growing. Surgery might be needed to fix problems like cross-bite.
• Adults are more prone to gum disease than teens. It’s important to resolve any gum issues before having orthodontic work and to be attentive to hygiene while wearing braces.
• Treating adults in some cases may take longer than adolescents. Doctors sometimes apply less pressure with adults because of greater sensitivity to pain.
• Clear aligners, popular because they are less visible, are considered an option for less complicated oral problems.