Our caring staff go out of their way to ensure that you are comfortable and take all the time required to explain and reassure you about any treatment you may require.
Ideally rather than just seeing our patients when problems arise, we encourage patients to rebook for a full examination. A full examination allows us to determine the true state of a patient’s dental health.
A new patient exam involves:
Taking into consideration all the above elements/factors we can give patients an informed explanation of their dental health and what issues may be occurring.
We then can discuss what options are available for resolving any problems, both short and long-term. This includes what costs would be involved for each option.
Ultimately we are always guided by what the patient wants to do. Eventually, a plan is devised, which we call a Dental Health Treatment Plan. Once an order of priorities is established, appointments can then be made, and spaced to suit a patient’s timeframe and budget.
Planned treatment is easier for a patient, and often less expensive than infrequent emergency visits. The overall goal is to return a patient to good oral health and prevent future dental disease.
Currently, a full initial examination costs a maximum of $70.
Often there is a need to take radiographs/ x-rays to confirm the condition of the teeth- the cost of radiographs taken with the initial exam is a maximum of $90 and is an estimation only.
Again thanks for choosing Riviera Dental Care. We hope to soon you soon.
Within Australia, the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights (ACHR) applies to the entire healthcare system, and it allows patients, consumers, families, carers and healthcare providers to have a common understanding of the rights of people receiving healthcare. The rights included in the ACHR relate to access, safety, respect, communication, participation, privacy and comment.
Riviera Dental Care has developed the following Charter of Patient Rights consistent with the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights;
Appointments
Riviera Dental Care aims to provide patients with appointments to meet their treatment needs. It is requested patients make an agreed appointment time/date to assist the scheduling process, notifying the practice where this appointment cannot be met. To assist you in providing us with this information we contact patients by
The cancellation policy of Riviera Dental Care requires a minimum of 24 hours’ notice for cancellation of an appointment. Should the patient cancel without the required notice period, it is at the owner Dr Katherine’s discretion as to whether a cancellation fee is to be charged, and if so, what this amount may be.
In the event we are unable to accommodate a patient’s request for an appointment at a specific time/date, consultation with the treating dental practitioner will be sought.
When patients fail to attend, this is recorded on their patient clinical notes and the computer appointment scheduling software. If an appointment fails we do a courtesy call, to ascertain why, and to offer another appointment if required.
If a patient is unable to see their regular practitioner on the day they would prefer, then we offer another practitioner from within the practice for that date or placement on our cancellation list.
Safety
Riviera Dental Care aims to provide appropriate dental services in a safe, secure and supportive environment. We encourage patients and/or staff to raise any concerns they may have. If a concern is raised, all staff and management are required to address the concern as soon as possible. For further information about our commitment to safety refer to Riviera Dental Care’s Work, Health & Safety manual.
All patients are required to complete a full medical history as accurately and completely as possible, to allow staff to identify any circumstances that may increase the risks associated with dental care.
Communication and decision-making
Riviera Dental Care respects the patient’s right to receive adequate information to make informed decisions regarding their health and healthcare. Consequently, all staff should continually demonstrate a commitment to providing patients with accessible and understandable information about their treatment and treatment options, including costs, proposed medications and risks involved. This should also include maintaining suitable evidence that patients are fully informed about their proposed treatment and have been a partner in the development of their treatment plan. Such evidence will be monitored through Riviera Dental Care’s review processes.
We do expect patients to actively participate in decisions and choices about their treatment and dental needs. For extensive treatment plans, we also encourage a patient to involve their family or carer in the decision-making process.
Riviera Dental Care’s Informed Consent Process
The initial examination of a patient shall be considered ‘implied consent’ to that procedure based on the booking of an appointment, attendance, and the patient allowing the physical examination to occur.
Any subsequent treatment shall require the patient to make an informed decision and consent to the treatment either verbally or in writing depending on the procedure and associated risks.
The dental practitioner who is to perform the treatment is responsible for the following informed consent process in line with the Dental Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct for Registered Health Practitioners.
A patient will be:
Riviera Dental Care requires all dental practitioners to provide relevant documentation to the patient about the proposed treatment.
The practice also requires dental practitioners to use their clinical judgment to determine where written consent is required from the patient and/or carer.
Dental practitioners shall take into account additional considerations regarding guardianship arrangements for consent matters when dealing with vulnerable patients.
Sufficient detail is to be recorded in patient records to reflect the information provided to the patient is associated with their treatment options and the treatment plan, which is ultimately agreed upon.
Patients are given ADA information pamphlets, and Practice created information sheets on procedures. Patients are usually given a printed treatment plan with financial costings and explanatory notes.
Informed consent documentation
All informed consent documentation used by the practitioners at Riviera Dental Care is reviewed at regular intervals and any updates to these documents are designed to improve patient understanding and the quality of care provided.
Privacy
In accordance with the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988, the Dental Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct for Registered Health Practitioners, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner National Privacy Principles September 2001 and The Office of the Privacy Commissioner Information Sheet National Privacy Principles Private Sector 1A , a patient can expect that their personal health and other information will be collected, used, disclosed and stored in accordance with relevant laws about privacy and that this information will remain confidential unless the law allows disclosure or the patient directs us to release the information.
The Privacy Policy of Riviera Dental Care consists of the following:
Comment
A patient’s evaluation of the care received at our practice is an extremely important form of feedback that provides valuable information about the services we provide. We encourage patients to provide both positive and negative feedback.
All staff will be provided with training and support that will assist them in identifying reports and appropriately respond to complaints and other negative feedback. At Riviera Dental Carewe classify negative feedback into three ways:
Riviera Dental Care’s Complaint Handling Process
Riviera Dental Care will acknowledge and respond promptly, either verbally or in writing, with respect to the seriousness of the complaint. We aim to respond to all complaints within 7 days.
All complaints will be reported and reviewed by the Owner Dr Katherine Bailey of the practice. Riviera Dental Care expects responsibility for the management of practitioner-related complaints will lie with the dental practitioner to whom the complaint is related. The dental practitioner involved will respond to the complaint upon receipt of advice from their professional association and/or their insurer.
General And Preventive Dentistry