DHSV Guide to 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 the information we hold about you. 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 the way 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; or
- have any complaints or concerns regarding your privacy,
please contact us using the following details:
Email: privacy.officer@dhsv.org.au
Click here to request access to patient information
What if I have a complaint?
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.
Website privacy statement
In accordance with Victorian legislation and Government policy, DHSV protects the privacy of personal and health information it holds and uses it only for the purposes intended.
This Website Privacy Statement explains how your personal information (being information capable of identifying you as an individual) will be treated as you access and interact with this website.
What information is collected and how is it used?
Any information provided, including identification of individuals, will be used only for the purpose intended and where the intention includes confidentiality, information will be retained as such unless otherwise required by law.
The personal information we collect via this website may include:
- the content of any electronic forms you submit via this website, requesting us to provide services or information, or take actions;
- information submitted if you participate in an online survey; and
- any messages or comments you submit to us via this website or to email addresses displayed on this website, which may include personal information such as name, email address and telephone number.
Email addresses provided via this site will only be used to respond to specific user queries and will not be added to any mailing lists, nor disclosed to any other party without users' knowledge and consent, unless required by law.
Visitor logs are used on this site for statistical purposes only. No attempt will be made to identify specific users or their browsing activity. De-identified data from these logs may be used to update and improve the Dental Health Services Victoria's web site.
Security of information
DHSV has technology and security measures aimed to protect personal and health information, whether in paper-based or electronic form, from misuse, loss, unauthorised access or unauthorised disclosure.
However, you should be aware that there are risks in transmitting information to us online. If you are concerned about conveying sensitive material to us over the Internet, you might prefer to contact us by telephone or mail.
Information is also stored and disposed of in accordance with our obligations under Victorian law and Government policy.
Our website and cookies
To improve your experience on our site, we may use 'cookies'. Cookies are an industry standard and most major web sites use them. A cookie is a small text file that our site may place on your computer as a tool to remember your preferences. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website.
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 Website Privacy Statement does not extend beyond this website.
When following 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.
For more information contact privacy.officer@dhsv.org.au.