Client Information Privacy
DHSV Privacy Statement
Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your information. We will handle your information according to law. We aim to make you aware of why your information is collected, used, and disclosed. Wherever possible, we will provide you with choices about how your information is used and who it will be disclosed to.
What do we collect and how do we collect it?
DHSV collects information such as your name, address and contact details, as well as information about your health problems and the treatment or advice you are given.
We aim to keep your information accurate and up-to date at all times to make sure we can give you the best possible care and services. We will add new information to your record every time you attend or have contact with us.
When possible, we will collect information directly from you or from someone you have authorised to talk with us. We may also collect information from third parties such as your other health care providers.
How do we use your information?
We mainly use your information to provide you with oral health care and advice. This information helps make sure that every professional involved in your care has all the facts available to help treat you safely and effectively. Your medical information also helps us quickly identify which treatments are likely to be safe and effective for you.
We may also use your information for internal teaching and research or to help us evaluate, plan and improve the services we provide. We will not use your information for other purposes unless you give us consent, or we are required by law.
Do we disclose your personal information to others?
We may disclose your information to health care providers outside of DHSV such as your GP or community dental agency if this is necessary for your further treatment. We will not share your information to any other third parties unless you have consented, or we are permitted or required to do so by law.
How do we protect your information and who has access?
DHSV protects your privacy by keeping your information secure from unauthorised access, use or loss. Information about you is stored in both a paper and electronic medical record and both are stored securely. Only authorised staff have access to your information.
Can you access and correct your information?
You may request access to the information that we hold about you or ask us to correct this information. You can do so by using our contact details provided below. We will handle your requests for access or correction in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic).
Who can you talk to if you have an issue with how DHSV has managed your information?
We respect your privacy, and we take all complaints and concerns regarding privacy very seriously.
If you have any complaints or concerns regarding how we handle your personal information, please contact us using the details below.
Our contact details
If you:
- would like to request access to or correction of your personal information
- would like further information about our privacy policies and procedures
- have any complaints or concerns regarding your privacy,
please contact us using the following details:
Email: privacy.officer@dhsv.org.au
Telephone: 03 9341 1013
We will investigate your complaint using our internal processes and will assess your complaint and respond to you as soon as possible.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of our investigation, or if you do not wish to raise a complaint or concern with us directly, you may wish to contact:
- the Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner in relation to a complaint relating to health information: Phone 1300 582 113; see https://hcc.vic.gov.au; or
- the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner in relation to a complaint relating to personal information or sensitive information (that is not health information): Phone 1300 666 444; see https://ovic.vic.gov.au.
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Our website uses Google Analytics, a service which transmits website traffic data to Google servers in the United States. Google Analytics does not identify individual users or associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. We use reports provided by Google Analytics to help us understand website traffic and webpage usage.
By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner described in Google's Privacy Policy and for the purposes set out above. You can opt out of Google Analytics if you disable or refuse the cookie, disable JavaScript, or use the opt-out service provided by Google.
Our website also uses interfaces with social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and others. If you choose to "like" or "share" information from this website through these services, you should review the privacy policy of that service. If you are a member of a social media site, the interfaces may allow the social media site to connect your visits to this site with other Personal Information
Links to external websites
This privacy statement does not extend beyond this website. When you follow links to other sites from this website, we recommend that you read the privacy statement of that site to familiarise yourself with its privacy practices.
