WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A DENTAL PROFESSIONAL
Who can help if you have a complaint about the care you received from your Dental Prosthetist ? What type of complaints do we, the Australian Dental Prosthetist Association of Queensland help you with ?, How to make a complaint to us ? and what we do when we receive a complaint ?
Who are we ?
The Australian Dental Prosthetists Association Queensland (ADPAQ), is the peak body representing Dental Prosthetists in Queensland. The Association has an interest in health complaint resolution not simply to comply with statutory obligations but from a commitment to serve the public and to act in the public’s interest.
Who should I complain to ?
If you think a Dental Prosthetists skills, health or behaviour raise patient safety issues, or it is your belief that they have fallen seriously short of the standards expected of them, you should contact us directly. Our contact details are on the back of this leaflet.
If you have a problem with a Dental Prosthetist which does not fall into this category, you have a number of other options.
- We usually recommend as a starting point, that a member of the public who has a complaint against a Dental Prosthetist should firstly discuss, on a face to face basis, the nature of the complaint and the ideal outcome, directly with their Dental Prosthetist.
- If the above face to face discussion is unsatisfactory, the Association will intervene, providing that both parties agree, to facilitate a satisfactory resolution.
- Alternatively, the newly formed Health Quality and Complaints Commission (HQCC) and the Dental Technicians and Dental Prosthetists Registration Board are independent statutory authorities established to receive and resolve complaints made about health service providers.
How can I make a complaint to you ?
If you would like to make a complaint to us, we will need as much information as possible, in writing.
This should include:
- Your full name and address;
- The full name and address of the Dental Prosthetist involved;
- Details of what has occurred and what, in your view, the Dental prosthetist has done wrong;
- The dates when the events took place; and
- Your permission to show your complaint to the Dental prosthetist.
We look carefully at every complaint we receive, and attempt to resolve all issues in an open and transparent manner.
What can you do with my complaint ?
Our procedures are designed to protect the public interest whilst being fair.
- Upon the receipt of a written complaint, authority to access records (if not already given) will be requested from the complainant.
- When the complaint can be supported, the Association will work with the complainant and the Dental prosthetist to resolve the matter.
- If the complaint is unsupported, the complainant is advised accordingly.
- The complainant retains the right at all times to seek alternative avenues.
We receive your complaint
Our Professional Standards Committee reviews your complaint
Action is taken by the Committee to achieve a positive outcome for all parties, options may include;
- Take no further action
- Suggestion of further education for the dental prosthetist
- Suggestion of increased level of communication with patients
- Referral of complaint to either the Registration Board or the newly formed Health Quality and Complaints Commission
- Parties are notified in writing of the decision of the Professional Standards Committee within 30 days of receipt of complaint
CONTACT US
Please contact us if you would like some more information about our complaints procedures, or if you want to discuss a particular problem in confidence.
AUSTRALIAN DENTAL PROSTHETISTS
ASSOCIATION QUEENSLAND
Chief Executive Officer
23 Ridge Street
NORTHGATE
Q 4013
P (07) 3266 1157
M 0431 445 031
OR ALTERNATIVELY YOU CAN CONTACT THE
DENTAL TECHNICIANS &
DENTAL PROSTHETISTS BOARD
OF QUEENSLAND
Level 19 Forestry House
160 Mary Street
BRISBANE Q 4001
P (07) 3225 2517
F (07) 3225 2527
HEALTH QUALITY & COMPLAINTS COMMISSION
Level 18, 288 Edward Street
BRISBANE Q 4001
P (07) 3234 0272
1800 077 308
F (07) 3234 0333