Smilexcellence Privacy Policy

Last Updated: November 2025

At Smilexcellence, we are committed to protecting your privacy as both an online visitor and a valued patient.
We respect your confidentiality and handle all personal and health information in accordance with:

The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
The Health Records and Information Privacy Act (NSW)
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Guidelines
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) Code of Ethics

1. Our Privacy Commitment

We protect your personal and health information by:

Using secure, encrypted systems to safeguard data.
Complying with all privacy, legal, and professional obligations.
Maintaining accurate, factual, and evidence-based website content.
Avoiding misleading, exaggerated, or unverifiable claims.
Ensuring your information is used only with informed, written consent.
Being transparent about how we collect, use, and share your data.
Allowing you to access and update your personal information at any time.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect information through:

Website forms (appointment bookings, contact forms, newsletter sign-ups).
Patient intake and feedback forms (with your consent).
Communication by phone, email, or in-person visits.
Secure third-party platforms used for bookings or payments.

Types of data collected include:

Identification: name, date of birth, and contact details.
Health data: medical history, allergies, and dental records.
Financial data: billing information (credit card data is not stored).
Digital data: anonymised analytics through cookies or similar tools.

3. Testimonials and Patient Images

At Smilexcellence, integrity and transparency are at the heart of our communication.
We strictly follow AHPRA and ADA guidelines to ensure all content we share is factual, ethical, and compliant.

Testimonials

We appreciate patient feedback, but to remain compliant with AHPRA standards, we do not publish testimonials that refer to treatment results, outcomes, or our clinical performance.

This means:

We don’t post, quote, or share reviews that describe treatment success or cosmetic results.
We may share general comments about our service — such as friendliness, cleanliness, or professionalism — only if they don’t mention treatment outcomes.
Patients are welcome to post reviews on independent platforms(e.g., Google Reviews), but we do not repost, link to, or interact with those reviews on our own website or social media channels.

This ensures that all information you see is balanced, responsible, and compliant.

Before-and-After Images

We understand that visual examples can be helpful, but these must also comply with strict professional guidelines.
If we use clinical images, they are solely for educational purposes, never for promotion or to guarantee results.

To maintain compliance:

We only use images of real Smilexcellence patients who have given written, informed consent.
We never use stock, model, or digitally altered photos to represent outcomes.
Images are captured in consistent lighting and angles to ensure fairness.
Each image is displayed with the disclaimer:
“Results may vary between individuals. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.”
“After” photos are never more prominent than “before” photos.
Educational use of images strictly follows AHPRA and ADA

4. Purpose of Collecting Information

Your information helps us to:

Manage appointments and provide personalised dental care.
Maintain accurate health and billing records.
Send reminders or updates (only with your consent).
Comply with professional and legal obligations.
Conduct internal training, audits, or de-identified research.

5. Marketing and Opt-Out

We may send newsletters, educational updates, or service announcements only if you have provided explicit consent.
You can opt out at any time by contacting us directly.

6. Storage and Security

We take data protection seriously and use:

Encrypted servers and password-protected systems.
Firewalls and regular security checks.
Secure disposal of outdated or inactive records in line with legal standards.

7. Disclosure of Information

We only share your information:

To coordinate your care with other healthcare providers.
When required by law (e.g., subpoenas, court orders).
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients or staff.
During business transitions, under strict confidentiality agreements.

We never sell, rent, or trade personal data to third parties.

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

Access and update your personal records.
Request corrections to inaccurate data.
Withdraw consent for marketing or image use.
Lodge privacy complaints with our Privacy Officer or the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).

9. Cookies and Analytics

Our website uses cookies and third-party analytics (e.g., Google Ads, Meta Ads) to improve user experience.
These tools collect only anonymised data. You may disable cookies in your browser at any time.

10. External Links

Our website may contain links to external websites.
We are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. Please review their policies before providing personal information.

11. Online Professional Conduct

The Smilexcellence team follows all AHPRA and ADA advertising and conduct standards.
We ensure all online content is factual, respectful, and compliant — avoiding testimonials, misleading claims, or unverified results.

12. Complaints and Breach Handling

If you believe your privacy has been breached, please contact our Privacy Officer immediately.
Unresolved issues may be referred to the OAIC or the Dental Board of Australia.

13. Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as laws or guidelines change.
The latest version will always be available on our website with the “Last Updated” date clearly shown.