Hill Park Dental – Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy outlines how Hill Park Dental collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal and health information when you use our dental services. We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring the confidentiality of your dental records in accordance with New Zealand privacy laws and dental industry standards.

By using our website, booking appointments, or receiving dental services from us, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. Unless otherwise defined, terms used in this Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in our Terms of Service.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal and health information necessary to provide you with quality dental care:

Contact Information: Name, address, phone number, email address
Personal Details: Date of birth, gender, NHI number
Health Information: Medical history, dental records, treatment plans, X-rays, clinical notes
Financial Information: Payment details, insurance information, ACC claims
Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, website usage patterns

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

Providing dental treatment and care
Managing appointments and recalls
Processing payments and insurance claims
Communicating with you about your dental health
Improving our services and patient experience
Complying with legal and regulatory requirements
Sending appointment reminders and health information (with consent)

3. Disclosure of Information

We may share your information with:

Other healthcare providers involved in your treatment (with your consent)
Insurance companies for claim processing
ACC for injury-related claims
Legal authorities when required by law
Third-party service providers (IT, payment processing) under strict confidentiality agreements

We do not sell or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your information:

Secure electronic health records system with access controls
Encrypted data transmission
Regular staff training on privacy and confidentiality
Physical security measures for paper records
Regular backups and disaster recovery procedures

5. Data Retention

We retain your information in accordance with legal requirements and professional standards:

Adult dental records: Minimum of 10 years from last treatment
Children's dental records: Until the patient turns 25 years old
Financial records: 7 years as required by NZ law
ACC-related records: As required by ACC regulations

After these periods, we securely destroy or anonymize your information.

6. Your Rights

Under the Privacy Act 2020 and Health Information Privacy Code 2020, you have the right to:

Access your personal and health information
Request correction of inaccurate information
Withdraw consent for specific uses of your information
Make a complaint about our privacy practices
Request information about how your data is used

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details below. We will respond within 20 working days as required by law.

7. Website and Cookies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:

Improve website functionality and user experience
Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
Remember your preferences and settings

You can control cookie settings through your browser. Note that disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

8. International Data Transfers

We primarily store and process your information in New Zealand. If we need to transfer data overseas (e.g., for specialized dental lab work), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your privacy.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The updated policy will be posted on our website with a revised effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.