Know Your Patient Rights?

Choice Dental – Browns Plains has developed the following practice specific charter of patient rights that is consistent with the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights.

ACCESS Choice Dental aims to provide patients with appointments to meet their treatment needs. It is necessary that our patients make an agreed appointment time/date for all consultations and dental procedures. As our appointments are exclusive, Patients are requested to notify us if their scheduled appointment cannot be met. 

To assist patients in attending their appointment, we are pleased to offer the following reminder services. 

  • Telephone call reminder
  • SMS reminder
  • Email reminder

It remains the responsibility of a patient to attend their scheduled appointment with or without reminder. 

The cancellation policy of Choice Dental requires 48 hours’ notice for cancellation of an appointment. 

SAFETY Choice Dental aims to provide dental services in a safe, secure and supportive environment. We encourage all patients and staff to raise any questions or concerns they may have. If a concern is raised, our staff and management will attend to the concern as soon as possible as per our WHS policy. 

All patients are required to complete a full medical history as accurately and completely as possible, to allow practitioners and staff to identify any circumstances that may increase the risks associated with dental care.

In the unlikely occurrence of an adverse event, dental practitioners at Choice Dental have a responsibility to be open and honest in communications with the patient involved, and families or carers if applicable. We will explain what has occurred and why, as well as offering support and advice with how the situation can best be resolved or managed.

RESPECT – Choice Dental values each patient and visitor to our practice as a unique person. We are committed to providing dental treatment in a manner that is respectful of the Individuals culture, beliefs, values and personal characteristics. Patients are asked to reciprocate this respect by being mindful of all staff at Choice Dental and other patients. 

COMMUNICATION And DECISIONS– Choice Dental respects the patient’s right to receive adequate information to make informed decisions regarding their health and healthcare. Our staff will demonstrate a commitment to providing patients with accessible and understandable information about their treatment and treatment options, including costs, proposed medications and risks involved. 

We will encourage patients to be completely involved in the development of their treatment plans and with making decisions about their treatment and dental needs, by allowing time during consultations. For extensive treatment plans we encourage patients to involve family or carers in the decision making process.

INFORMED CONSENT – By making an appointment with Choice Dental we will assume ‘implied consent’ to that procedure based on the booking of an appointment, attendance, and the patient allowing the physical examination to occur. 

In the event of subsequent treatment being required our patients will be provided information about the procedure to be performed; the reason why the treatment is required; costs associated with the treatment and any possible risks or complications. Our patients will then be able to make an informed decision and consent to treatment either verbally or in writing depending on the procedure and associated risks.

PRIVACY – In accordance with the privacy law, Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988, the Dental Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct for Registered Health Practitioners, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner- Australian Privacy Principles and a patient can expect their personal health and other information will be collected, used, disclosed and stored in accordance with relevant laws about privacy, and this information will remain confidential unless the law allows disclosure or the patient directs us to release the information.

The Privacy Policy of Choice Dental consists of the following:

  • All information collected from the patient will be used for the purpose of providing treatment. Personal information such as name, address and health insurance details will be used for the purpose of addressing accounts to the patient, as well as processing payments and writing to the patient about any issues affecting their treatment.
  • We may disclose a patient’s health information to other health care professionals, or require it from them if, in our judgement, it is necessary in the context of the patient’s treatment. In this event, disclosure of personal details will be minimised wherever possible.
  • We may also use parts of a patient’s health information for research purposes, in study groups or at seminars as this may provide benefit to other patients. Should that happen, a patient’s personal identity would not be disclosed without their consent to do so.
  • Patient history, treatment records, X-rays and any other material relevant to treatment will be kept and remain in a secure environment.
  • Under the privacy law, patients have rights of access to dental information held about them by this practice. We welcome a patient to inspect or request copies of their treatment records at any time, or seek an explanation from the dentist. The following procedure has been developed to ensure that all requests for access are dealt with as efficiently as possible:
    • All requests for access (other than straight forward requests for copies of test or treatment results made to your dentist during your consultation) should be made in writing using (where available) a Request for Release of Dental Records Form. 
    • Requests for access will be acknowledged by the practice within 14 business days of the receipt of the request.
    • Where it is not possible for access to be granted within 30 days, the patient will be notified/advised when and if access will be granted.
    • Where access is refused, the patient will be advised in writing of the reasons for refusal. This will include any information about other means by which access may be facilitated.
    • A patient will not be permitted to remove any of the contents of their dental file from the practice, nor will they be permitted to alter or erase information contained in the dental record. However, if any of the information we have about a patient is inaccurate, a patient is encouraged to ask us to alter their records accordingly, in writing.
    • When a request for copies of dental records is received, a fee may be required to be paid by the patient. 
    • Generally, records will be transferred by the practice (on behalf of consenting patients) from one treating practitioner to another. In limited circumstances patients will be required to collect their records in person or may request in writing that records are provided to another authorised person. 
    • If a patient, or authorised person, is collecting a copy of dental records, they will be required to provide identification. 


COMMENTS – A patient’s evaluation of the care received at our practice is an extremely important. Our philosophy is to provide our patients with the highest quality dentistry that restores function, enhances appearance and meets the needs of our patients

We invite and encourage patients to provide both positive and constructive feedback. You may wish to provide in person to a team member or by completing our patient feedback survey.  https://choice-dental.com.au/feedback/ 

For more information on the Australian charter of health care rights, visit www.safetyandquality.gov.au