Privacy Policy
Tooth Sparkler Family Dental
Last Updated: June 2026
Our Commitment to Privacy
Tooth Sparkler Family Dental is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), applicable health records legislation, and professional obligations relating to the provision of dental care.
As a healthcare provider, we collect, use, disclose, and store personal information so that we can provide safe, effective, and appropriate dental treatment and related services.
By attending our practice, using our website, communicating with us, or providing your personal information, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information as described in this Privacy Policy.
Who We Are
Tooth Sparkler Family Dental
Address: Building 2, Forest Central Business Park
49 Frenchs Forest Road East
Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
Phone: (02) 9971 6134
Email: info@toothsparkler.com.au
Website: www.toothsparkler.com.au
What Personal Information We Collect
We may collect information, including:
Personal Information
- Name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Telephone numbers
- Email address
- Emergency contact details
- Next of kin details
- Medicare details
- DVA details
- Private health insurance details
- Payment and billing information
Health Information
Health information is considered sensitive information under Australian privacy law.
We may collect:
- Medical history
- Dental history
- Current medications
- Allergies
- Existing medical conditions
- Family medical history where relevant
- Treatment notes
- Clinical photographs
- Radiographs (x-rays)
- CBCT scans
- Intraoral scans
- Sleep study information
- Referral letters
- Specialist reports
- Pathology reports
- Consent forms
Website Information
When you visit our website, we may collect:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Device information
- Pages viewed
- Time and date of visits
- Website usage information through cookies and analytics tools
How We Collect Information
We collect information directly from you through:
- New patient forms
- Medical history forms
- Online forms
- Email correspondence
- Telephone conversations
- SMS communications
- Face-to-face consultations
- Treatment discussions
- Consent forms
We may also collect information from:
- Parents or guardians
- Attorneys or substitute decision-makers
- Referring practitioners
- Medical specialists
- Hospitals
- Allied health providers
- Diagnostic imaging providers
- Medicare
- Private health funds
- Other healthcare providers involved in your care
Why We Collect Your Information
We collect personal information to:
- Provide dental treatment and healthcare services
- Assess your dental and medical needs
- Develop treatment plans
- Communicate regarding appointments and treatment
- Process payments and health fund claims
- Coordinate care with other healthcare providers
- Maintain accurate clinical records
- Meet legal, regulatory, and professional obligations
- Manage our practice operations
- Improve our services
- Respond to enquiries and complaints
If we are unable to collect necessary information, we may not be able to provide appropriate treatment or services.
How We Use and Disclose Information
We may use and disclose your information:
- To provide dental care and treatment
- To communicate with you about your care
- To obtain specialist opinions or referrals
- To liaise with medical practitioners and other healthcare providers
- To process Medicare, DVA, and health fund claims
- To arrange laboratory work
- To process payments
- To comply with legal obligations
- To manage complaints, claims, or disputes
- To conduct quality assurance and risk management activities
We will only disclose information where permitted by law, where reasonably necessary for your care, or where you have provided consent.
Third Parties We May Disclose Information To
Where appropriate, information may be disclosed to:
- Medical practitioners
- Dental specialists
- Allied health providers
- Hospitals
- Dental laboratories
- Diagnostic imaging providers
- Medicare
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs
- Private health insurers
- Professional advisers
- Regulatory authorities
- Courts and tribunals where legally required
- Information technology providers
- Software and cloud service providers
- Payment processing providers
Overseas Disclosure
Tooth Sparkler Family Dental uses secure software and technology systems to operate our practice.
Some of our service providers may store, process, or back up information using servers located outside Australia, including in jurisdictions such as the United States and other countries.
Where personal information may be disclosed overseas, we take reasonable steps to ensure service providers comply with privacy and security obligations consistent with Australian privacy law.
Appointment Reminders and Communications
We may contact you by:
- SMS
- Telephone
- Post
Communications may include:
- Appointment reminders
- Recall reminders
- Treatment follow-ups
- Health information relevant to your care
- Administrative matters
- Billing and payment matters
You may opt out of non-essential communications where appropriate.
Website Cookies and Analytics
Our website may use cookies and analytics technologies to:
- Improve website functionality
- Understand website usage
- Improve user experience
- Monitor website performance
Most web browsers allow cookies to be controlled or disabled through browser settings.
Information collected through analytics is generally de-identified and used for statistical purposes.
Storage and Security of Information
We take reasonable steps to protect information against:
- Loss
- Unauthorised access
- Misuse
- Interference
- Modification
- Disclosure
Information may be stored electronically and in hard copy form.
Security measures include:
- Secure clinical software systems
- Password-protected access
- User access controls
- Secure cloud storage
- Staff confidentiality obligations
- Physical security measures
- Regular software and security updates
While we take reasonable precautions, no method of transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Accessing and Correcting Your Information
You may request access to your personal information at any time.
Requests should be made to our Privacy Officer.
We may require proof of identity before releasing records
In some circumstances permitted by law, access may be refused.
If information is inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date, we will take reasonable steps to correct it.
Administrative fees may apply for the preparation, copying, or transfer of records.
Retention and Destruction of Records
Health records are retained in accordance with applicable legal, professional, and regulatory requirements.
Generally, dental records are retained for the minimum periods required by law. Records relating to children are retained in accordance with applicable retention requirements following the patient’s attainment of adulthood.
When records are no longer required and legal retention periods have expired, we will take reasonable steps to securely destroy or permanently de-identify the information.
Privacy Complaints
If you believe your privacy has been breached, please contact our Privacy Officer.
Privacy Officer
Dr Sara Lonergan
Tooth Sparkler Family Dental
Phone: (02) 9971 6134
Email: info@toothsparkler.com.au
We will acknowledge your complaint, investigate the matter, and attempt to resolve it within a reasonable timeframe.
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact:
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
Website: www.oaic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 363 992
Address: GPO Box 5218, Sydney NSW 2001
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, professional requirements, technology, business practices, or our services.
The most current version will always be available on our website.
For further information regarding privacy matters, please contact our Privacy Officer.