Privacy policy

1. Overview

The Dentist Melville (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and disclose personal information when you visit our website, contact us, book appointments, or receive dental care from our practice (the “Services”).

Our website is hosted on Shopify, which may collect certain information about your device and website usage to provide and improve the platform.

By using our Services, you acknowledge you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

2. What personal information we collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

(a) General contact and identification details

  • Name, date of birth, address

  • Phone number and email address

  • Emergency contact details (where relevant)

(b) Appointment and communication information

  • Appointment requests and booking information

  • Notes from communications with our team (phone, email, forms, online enquiries)

(c) Patient and health information (sensitive information)

As a dental practice, we may collect health information necessary to provide safe and appropriate care, such as:

  • Medical history, medications, allergies, relevant conditions

  • Dental history, treatment plans and clinical notes

  • X-rays, photos, scans and other clinical records

  • Consent forms and other treatment-related documentation

(d) Billing and payment information

  • Payment details for services (e.g., transaction records)

  • Private health insurance details (where relevant)

  • Medicare/DVA details (where relevant)

(e) Website and device information

  • IP address, browser type, device identifiers

  • Pages viewed and interactions with our website

  • Cookies and similar technologies (see Section 8)

Note: We do not intentionally collect more information than is reasonably necessary for providing dental care, processing payments, or operating our website.

3. How we collect personal information

We collect personal information in the following ways:

  • Directly from you, e.g., when you fill out forms, contact us, or attend appointments

  • Automatically, e.g., via cookies and analytics when you use our website

  • From third parties where permitted, e.g., referrals from other healthcare providers, insurers, or booking platforms (where applicable)

4. How we use your personal information

We use personal information to:

  • Provide dental care safely and appropriately

  • Manage appointments and communicate with you

  • Maintain accurate clinical records

  • Process payments and handle accounts

  • Submit and manage claims (e.g., private health, Medicare, DVA) where applicable

  • Improve our website and service experience

  • Meet legal, regulatory, and professional obligations

We do not sell your personal information.

5. When we disclose your personal information

We may disclose personal information to:

(a) Service providers who help us operate

Such as IT providers, practice management software providers, secure cloud storage, analytics providers, and website hosting (including Shopify).

(b) Health-related and claims parties (where relevant)

Such as pathology or imaging providers, dental laboratories, specialists, referrers, private health insurers, Medicare, and DVA — where required to provide services or process claims.

(c) Legal and regulatory requirements

Where required by law, court order, subpoena, or to comply with professional obligations, or to protect the rights and safety of our patients, staff, and practice.

(d) With your consent

Where you direct us to share information, or you consent to disclosure for a specific purpose.

6. Sensitive information (health information)

Health information is generally considered sensitive information. We only collect and use it when it is necessary to provide dental care, meet our legal obligations, or where you have provided consent (or where permitted by law).

7. Security and retention

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.

No method of transmission or storage is completely secure. We encourage you not to send highly sensitive information via unencrypted email.

We retain patient records and related information for as long as required by law and professional standards, and as necessary for ongoing care and practice operations.

8. Cookies and website analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to help it function properly and to understand how visitors use the site. These may collect information like device type, pages viewed, and time spent on pages.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some website functionality.

9. Shopify hosting and third-party platforms

Our website is hosted by Shopify. Shopify may collect and process information about how you access and use the website to provide and improve the platform.

If you book via a third-party booking platform (e.g., an online booking provider), that provider may collect information under their own privacy policy. We recommend reviewing the privacy policy of any third-party booking platform you use.

10. International transfers

Some of our service providers (including website hosting and analytics providers) may store or process information outside Australia. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

11. Access, correction, and complaints

You may request access to, or correction of, personal information we hold about you, subject to legal and professional obligations.

If you have concerns or complaints about how we handle personal information, please contact us using the details below. You may also be able to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

12. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page and the “Last updated” date will be amended.

13. Contact us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact:

The Dentist Melville
Email: reception@thedentistmelville.com.au
Phone: (08) 9330 8200
Address: 529 Canning Highway, Alfred Cove WA 6154