Advertising & Marketing
- ACMA Information About Spam
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) provides information on how to comply with the Spam Act 2003. If you send or have someone else send out your marketing emails or messages, you need to know about spam laws.
- AMA Clinical Images & Use of Personal Mobile Devices
In the interests of upholding the principles of medical professionalism, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Medical Indemnity Industry Association of Australia (MIIAA) have produced this guide for the proper use of personal mobile devices when taking clinical images.
- Dental Board of Australia – Guidelines for Advertising Regulated Health Services - The guidelines were developed to help practitioners and others understand their obligations when advertising a regulated health service. All obligations outlined in this document are those required under the National Law unless stated otherwise.
- ADA Policy Statement 6.2.4 Social Media and Dentistry
Maintaining patient-practitioner relationships and trust in the profession requires that dentists consistently apply ethical principles for preserving the relationship, confidentiality, privacy and respect for persons whilst communicating online.
Business Licences
- ABLIS Background Music Licences
Australian Business Licenses (ABLIS) describes the licence as authorises copyrighted music to be played in the background at your business.
- ABLIS Licence to play sound records or music videos
Australian Business Licenses (ABLIS) describes the licence as required to play sound recordings (such as CDs, tapes, digital downloads) in a public place, exhibit music videos or use sound recordings for telephone on hold that are covered by copyright.
Consent
Consumables & Equipment
- Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods - Search Tool
The publicly accessible version of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) is the reference database of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). It provides information on therapeutic goods that can be supplied in Australia.
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is Australia's regulatory authority for therapeutic goods.
- Health Professional Information and Education
The pages linked below contain information for health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, complementary health practitioners, etc. It is not presented as medical advice to health professionals or the public.
- Medical Devices and In-Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices
Medical devices include a wide range of products such as medical gloves, bandages, syringes, condoms, contact lenses, in vitro diagnostic medical devices, disinfectants, X-ray equipment, surgical lasers, pacemakers, dialysis equipment, baby incubators, heart valves.
Dental Practice Guide
- The ADAQ New Dental Practice Guide is provided for ADAQ Members to provide assistance on selected matters involved in establishing and operating a dental practice.
Dental Practice Documentation Self-Assessment Tool
This checklist has been developed to assist you in self-assessing your compliance with the documents you are required to have in your practice.
Pharmaceutics & Medication Safety
- ADA Pharma Advice
Drawing on the knowledge of a highly-experienced clinical pharmacist, this medicine information service provides advice on a range of prescription and over-the counter medicine, nutritional supplements, and health remedies.
- Anti-Microbial Stewardship
With microorganisms rapidly adapting to the effects of anti-microbial agents, our defence against infection is under threat. Australia’s first Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Strategy 2015-2019 was developed to guide action to reduce AMR in Australia.
- AusDi
AusDI provides a comprehensive up-to-date medicines database that includes independent drug monographs, product summaries, pharmaceutical company information, and more.
- ADA Label Templates for High Strength Fluoride Toothpaste
In Queensland there are labelling requirements for S3 medications. This page includes labelling requirements and downloadable templates.
- Stationery Orders for Dentists
About stationery that dentists use to prescribe PBS medicines and how to get the stationery.
Dental Records
- ADA Policy Statement 5.1.7 Dental Records
Including ADA Guidelines for Dental Records.
- New Patient Medical/Dental History Form
All new patients to the practice must complete a Medical/Dental History Form.
There are no legally specified time increments however ADAQ recommends that patients are asked at least annually to check, update and sign their medical and dental history to ensure information held at the practice is current. This will best protect both patient and dentist in the case of compensation claims.
- Request for Release of Dental Records Form
ADAQ recommends that a patient gives written authority to release their dental records as this will protect both patient and dentist in the case of dispute.
Fees & Item Numbers
- ADA Policy Statement 6.26 - Dental Fees
The Australian Dental Association Policy Statement on Dental Fees.
- ADA Dental Fees Survey
Each year, the ADA commissions an independent research agency to conduct a survey of the usual fees charged by its members in private practice for more than 120 commonly used items of dental service. These items include diagnostic, preventive, restorative, endodontic, prosthodontic, orthodontic and oral surgery procedures.
- Australian Taxation Office GST ruling
A comprehensive ruling on the way in which the GST applies to goods and services supplied by dentists.
- Australian Taxation Office GST ruling (Addendum)
An update of the types of goods and services supplied to a patient listed in attachment A of the ruling.
- ADA Policy Statement 5.2 - The Australian Schedule of Dental Schedule and Glossary
The Australian Schedule of Dental Services and Glossary must remain as the definitive coding system of dental treatments and services in Australia. It should reflect current practice and so be revised and published by the Australian Dental Association as required.
- The Australian Schedule of Dental Schedule and Glossary
Since its inception, this glossary has been universally accepted as the definitive coding system of dental treatment and is recognised by the National Centre for Classification in Health. Both online and PDF versions available.
- Health Fund Complaint Form
Please use this form to lodge any complaints against Health Funds. Your complaint will be used by ADAQ in our dialogue with health funds.
Government Schemes
Health Professional Online Services (HPOS)
CHILD DENTAL BENEFIT SCHEDULE
The CDBS provides individual benefits for a range of services including examinations, x-rays, cleaning, fissure sealing, fillings, root canals and extractions. Benefits are not available for orthodontic or cosmetic dental work and cannot be paid for any services provided in a hospital.
Eligible children will have access to a benefit cap of $1,000 over a two calendar year period. To be eligible a child must be aged between 2-17 years and their family must receive Family Tax Benefit Part A or a relevant Australian Government payment.
Families can check whether their child is eligible for the CDBS by contacting the Department of Human Services. General information about the program can also be found on the Department of Human Services website.
CLEFT LIP & CLEFT PALATE SCHEME
If you’re a dentist, an orthodontist or oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you are eligible to treat patients under the Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Scheme, a government initiative designed to provide surgical and dental services to families with a child with either or both of these conditions.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
The Department of Veterans' Affairs funds some dental services for eligible members of the veteran community who hold either a DVA Gold or White card.
Industrial Relations
HR, Industrial Relations and Workplace Health and Safety resources are available through the ADA HR Hub including:
Award and Pay Guides
Your complete guide to current awards and rates of pay for dental practices in Australia.
Contracts
A full suite of contract templates, ready to be customised covering the gamut of employment structures within a practice.
Disciplinary and Performance Management
A set of guide and templates to help you through the process of performance management and terminating employment.
Forms
A range of forms for use in the practice.
Fact Sheets
A set of useful fact sheets for both employees and employers covering a range of work and workplace topics.
Job Descriptions
Job description templates for the key roles in a dental practice.
Policies
Our extensive range of policies will help guide your practice and staff in achieving a fair and compliant workplace where everyone knows what is expected on them.
You can also contact the ADA HR Hotline on 1300 232 462 or by emailing [email protected]
- AHPRA Obligations for Employers of Health Practitioners
If you employ registered health practitioners, you have an important obligation to ensure that they hold current registration and that you understand your mandatory notification requirements under the National Law.
- Fair Work Ombudsman - National Employment Standards
The National Employment Standards (NES) are 10 minimum employment entitlements that have to be provided to all employees.
- Workers Compensation
If you employ a ‘worker’ in Queensland, you must have Workers Compensation insurance to insure them against workplace accidents and have a policy in place within five days of them commencing employment.
Immunisation
- Australian Immunisation Handbook
The Australian Immunisation Handbook provides clinical advice for health professionals on the safest and most effective use of vaccines in their practice.
- Department of Health - Immunisation
Immunisation is a simple, safe and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases before they come into contact with them. Immunisation not only protects individuals, but also others in the community, by reducing the spread of preventable diseases.
- Worksafe - Vaccine Preventable Diseases and Immunisation Programs
This fact sheet provides information about vaccine-preventable diseases, your legal duties and occupational immunisation programs.
Infection Control Resources
IT & Security
The internet has increasingly become part of daily life, both at home and in the practice. It is important for Members to ensure that they are able to enjoy the benefits of the digital age whilst minimising the risks. In order to assist our Members in improving their digital security, both privately and professionally, ADAQ have partnered with Stay Smart Online to provide information resources that will help Members become more informed and more comfortable about digital security.
- ADA Data and Information Management Security
Information on creating a management plan and resources including:
- Data Breach Response Plan
- Data and Information Risks in Dental Practice
- Data and Information Management Checklist
- Stay Smart Online
ADAQ are proud partners of the Federal Government's Stay Smart Online initiative. Stay Smart Online is a cyber security website designed to help Australians understand cyber security risks and educate home and small business users on the simple steps they can take to protect their personal and financial information online. The website is hosted by the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and has received input and support from a range of other Australian Government agencies which have related responsibilities. Among the resources available are:
o Business Resources to assist with practice security
o Personal Resources to assist with general IT and internet use
o Online Alert Service explains recent online threats and how they can be managed.
- Scam Watch
ADAQ encourages Members to familiarise themselves with the SCAMwatch website. This site, operated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), provides information to consumers and small businesses about how to recognise, avoid and report scams.
- Australian Signals Directorate - Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents
The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has developed prioritised mitigation strategies to help cyber security professionals in all organisations mitigate cyber security incidents caused by various cyber threats.
Privacy
The new privacy regime and update to the Privacy Act 1988 came into place in March 2014. These updates brought about a new regime for organisations to be compliant with the 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) . In order to be compliant with the updated Privacy Laws, all Dental Practices (as they hold both personal and sensitive information) must abide by these 13 APPs.
Things to Consider
The following outlines some additional things to consider in order to be compliant with the Privacy Laws. This list is not exhaustive but is provided to guide practices to be aware of things they may not have considered.
Collection Notifications:
Practices must comply with APP 5 by notifying of the collection of personal information, ideally at the time when collection is taking place.
Cross Border Disclosure:
Practices must comply with APP 8 by including within their privacy policy any disclosure of information to a third party overseas. The practice must also take such steps as are reasonable in the circumstances to ensure that the overseas recipient does not breach the Australian Privacy Principles (other than Australian Privacy Principle 1) in relation to the information.
Security of Information:
Practices must comply with APP 11 by taking reasonable steps to ensure the security of their data from misuse, interference and loss, unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. It is recommended that practices have a Data Breach Policy in place.
Complaints:
Practices must include in their privacy policy how individuals can submit a complaint with regards to their privacy.
Spam Act:
Practices need to be aware of their compliance with the Spam Act 2003 which relates the sending unsolicited commercial electronic messages.
Consent:
Practices need to be aware of the notion of consent from an individual to receive communication from a company as outlined in APP 7 and the Spam Act
- Privacy Policy Template
ADAQ has a privacy template available to ADAQ Members to assist them with compliance with APP 1 of the Australian Privacy Principles. This template is generic and to be used as a guide only, further consultation with a lawyer may be required to ensure your practice is compliant.
- Privacy for Health Service Providers
If you provide a health service or hold health information you are considered to be a health service provider, even if that is not your primary activity.
- The Office of Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
The OAIC provides regular guides to help navigate the range of obligations related to information and privacy.
Radiation Health & Safety
Teeth Whitening
Waste Management
- Policy Statement 6.1.1 Dental Amalgam Waste Management
Mercury and waste amalgam discharge from dental uses, into the general environment, should be minimised.
- QLD Guideline - Clinical and Related Waste
Clinical and related waste must be handled, stored, packaged, labelled and transported appropriately to minimise the potential for contact with the waste and to reduce the risk to the environment from accidental release. This guideline describes the management of clinical or related waste in Queensland, in reference to the Waste Reduction and Recycling Regulation 2011 (WRR Regulation)
Workplace Health & Safety