Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

The information we collect depends on how you interact with our website and dental practice.

Personal and Contact Information

We may collect information such as:

• Your name.
• Email address and telephone number.
• Preferred contact method.
• Appointment enquiries and booking details.
• Information you provide when contacting our team.

Health Information

When necessary to provide dental care, we may collect relevant health information, including:

• Dental and medical history.
• Current symptoms and oral health concerns.
• Information about medicines, allergies and relevant health conditions.
• Dental examination findings, diagnostic images and treatment records.
• Treatment plans, referrals and details of care provided.

Health information is handled with particular care and used for purposes connected with your care, practice administration or other lawful purposes.

Website and Technical Information

When you use our website, we or our service providers may collect technical information such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited and interactions with website features. The information collected depends on our website configuration, cookies and other technologies in use.

2. How We Collect Information

We may collect personal information:

• Directly from you when you complete a form, contact us, book an appointment or visit the practice.
• During consultations, examinations and dental treatment.
• From a parent, guardian or authorised representative where appropriate and lawful.
• From another healthcare provider or referral source when necessary and permitted.
• Automatically through website technologies, where enabled.
• From other sources where collection is permitted by applicable law.

Where appropriate, we will explain why information is required and what may happen if you choose not to provide it.

3. How We Use Your Information

We may use your information to:

• Respond to enquiries and appointment requests.
• Arrange, manage and confirm dental appointments.
• Assess your dental needs and provide appropriate care.
• Maintain accurate clinical and administrative records.
• Coordinate referrals and communicate with relevant healthcare providers.
• Process payments, invoices and practice administration.
• Respond to feedback, complaints and requests.
• Maintain website functionality, security and performance.
• Meet applicable legal, regulatory and professional obligations.
• Send practice updates or promotional communications where permitted and, when required, with your consent.

We will not use your personal information for unrelated purposes unless you have authorised the use or the use is otherwise permitted or required by law.

4. Health Information and Confidentiality

We recognise that dental and medical information is sensitive. Access to clinical information is restricted according to staff responsibilities and our practice procedures.

We use health information to support your care, maintain treatment records and carry out related activities permitted by law. We may need to share relevant information with other healthcare professionals involved in your care, subject to applicable privacy requirements.

We take reasonable steps to ensure that personal and health information is accessed and handled appropriately. No method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

5. When We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information.

Where necessary and lawful, we may disclose relevant information to:

• Dental specialists and other healthcare providers involved in your care.
• Dental laboratories and clinical service providers.
• Appointment booking, practice management and secure IT service providers.
• Payment processors and professional advisers.
• Insurers or other parties where relevant and legally permitted.
• Government agencies, regulators, courts or law enforcement authorities where required or authorised by law.
• Other parties where you have given valid consent or the disclosure is otherwise lawful.

We aim to share only information that is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose. Third-party providers may have their own privacy obligations and terms.

6. Storage and Security

We take reasonable safeguards to protect personal information against loss, unauthorised access, misuse, alteration and disclosure.

Depending on the systems we use, safeguards may include access restrictions, staff confidentiality requirements, secure systems, authentication controls, backups and appropriate supplier arrangements.

Personal information may be stored in electronic systems, physical records or both. We retain it only for as long as required for the purposes for which it was collected, applicable legal and professional requirements, and the proper management of our practice.

When information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to securely destroy it or de-identify it, subject to any legal retention obligations.

7. Third-Party Services and Overseas Storage

Our website or practice may use third-party services for functions such as appointment scheduling, website hosting, analytics, email communication and payment processing.

Depending on the providers selected, information may be stored or processed outside New Zealand. Where this occurs, we will take steps required by applicable New Zealand privacy law, including requirements relating to overseas disclosures where relevant.

Please review the privacy information provided by third-party services when you interact with their platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of independent websites that we do not control.

8. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to support essential functions, remember preferences, understand website usage or measure the effectiveness of our website.

The technologies used depend on the tools enabled on our website. Where applicable, you can manage cookies through your browser or the website's cookie settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

If analytics or advertising technologies are used, our cookie information should explain which tools are active, what information they collect and how visitors can manage their preferences.

9. Your Privacy Rights

Subject to applicable law and any relevant exceptions, you may have the right to:

• Request access to personal information we hold about you.
• Request correction of information you believe is inaccurate.
• Ask us to note a correction request if we do not make the requested change.
• Ask questions about how your information is collected, used or disclosed.
• Raise a concern or make a privacy complaint.

We may need to verify your identity before responding to a request. Some information may be subject to lawful restrictions or retention requirements.

To make a request, contact us using the details in the Contact Us section below.

10. Children's Information

We take care when handling information relating to children and young people. Where appropriate, we communicate with a parent, guardian or authorised representative in accordance with applicable law and the circumstances of the care provided.

We handle children's personal and health information for appropriate care, practice administration and other lawful purposes. Questions about access to a child's information are assessed according to the relevant privacy requirements and the child's circumstances.

11. Privacy Breaches

If a privacy breach occurs, we will assess it and take appropriate steps to contain, investigate and address the incident.

Where required by New Zealand law, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of a notifiable privacy breach as soon as practicable.

12. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to external websites for additional information or services. Those websites operate independently and may have their own privacy policies.

We encourage you to review the relevant privacy policy before providing personal information to another website. This policy applies to our own website and practice activities, not to independent websites we do not control.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy when our practices, services, technology or legal obligations change. The latest version will be published on this page with an updated “Last updated” date. We encourage you to review the policy periodically.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to request access to or correction of your information, or wish to raise a privacy concern, contact us:

Practice name:

Franklindental Clinic

Privacy contact:

Receptionist

Email:

reception@franklindentalclinic.com

Phone:

+64 92838480

Address:

11A Tobin Street, Pukekohe Auckland 2120

If you are not satisfied with how we have handled your concern, you may be able to contact the New Zealand Office of the Privacy Commissioner for information about your options.