Terms and conditions

This page sets out the standard terms that apply to promotional offers made by Victorian Dental Group Pty Ltd, together with the specific terms for particular offers.

What this page covers, and what it does not

Nothing on this page limits your rights under the Australian Consumer Law, which apply to dental services as they do to other services and cannot be excluded by any term.

Standard (promotional offer) terms and conditions

The below Standard Terms & Conditions apply to all Promotional offers provided by VICTORIAN DENTAL GROUP Pty Ltd.

1. Services will only be provided where clinically necessary and appropriate.
2. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with Government scheme and are not substitute, transferable or redeemable for cash or credit.
3. Discount offers are applicable to 'out of pocket' expenses only, unless otherwise specified.
4. Offers subject to appointment availability.
5. Health fund limits and rules apply – for more information talk to your health fund.
6. Victorian Dental Group reserve the right to refuse treatment if it is suspected that gross harm will be done to the patient by performing this procedure.
7. Offer may only be redeemed once per person.
8. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
9. Victorian Dental Group withholds the right to cancel, suspend or terminate any promotional offer at any time.

What those clauses mean in practice

The explanation below is provided to make the terms easier to follow. It is not part of the terms, and where the two differ, the numbered clauses above are what apply.

• Clinical need comes first (1, 6). An offer does not create an entitlement to treatment. If a practitioner judges a treatment unsuitable or unsafe for you, it is not provided — and that judgement is not affected by what you have booked or paid for
• No cash value (2). An offer cannot be swapped for money, credit or a different treatment, and cannot be combined with a government scheme such as the Child Dental Benefits Schedule
• Discounts apply to your gap (3). Where a health fund rebate applies, the discount is calculated against what you actually pay, not against the full fee
• Availability is real (4). Offers depend on appointment times being available within any stated period
• Your fund's rules are your fund's (5). Limits, waiting periods and exclusions are set by your insurer. See private health insurance
• Once per person (7). Offers are not repeatable and are not transferable to someone else
• Second opinions are encouraged (8). For any surgical or invasive procedure, seeking another view from an appropriately qualified practitioner is a reasonable step and we will not be offended by it
• Offers can end (9). An advertised offer may be withdrawn or changed. What you have already booked and been quoted is set out in your written treatment plan

Teeth whitening terms and conditions

1. Subject to 'Promotional Offers Terms and Conditions'.
2. To be eligible for this promotion, and to ensure best results, patients must have had an examination and professional cleaning at Victorian Dental Group in the last six (6) months, and diagnostic x-rays within the last two (2) years. Patients may request that their dental records and x-rays that have been taken within this period be transferred to Victorian Dental Group. This must be completed prior to your appointment, please contact our practice to arrange.
3. The patient must be over 18 years of age with teeth deemed suitable for Teeth Whitening by a Dental Practitioner at Victorian Dental Group.
4. A complimentary pre-whitening consultation is included at your appointment to assess suitability. If considered suitable, a comprehensive examination will be completed to check for any dental disease or other conditions that are present that contraindicate teeth whitening. This does not include x-rays. Patients may be refused teeth whitening treatment if dental disease or other conditions are present that contraindicate teeth whitening.
5. If teeth whitening treatment cannot be performed at the time of your appointment due to contraindication, only the comprehensive examination fee of $80 is payable, which is subject to rebate via your private health insurance provider if registered. This fee will be discounted from the total teeth whitening fee, when treatment is sought to remedy any contraindication to enable teeth whitening eligibility.

Why whitening has conditions attached

These are clinical requirements rather than administrative ones, and they are the same reasons any registered practitioner would apply.

• A recent examination and clean is required because whitening gel applied over untreated decay, a leaking filling or inflamed gums can cause pain and does not produce an even result
• Radiographs within two years allow decay between teeth and problems at the root to be excluded before a chemical is applied to the tooth surface
• Over 18 — whitening is not provided to children and adolescents
• Suitability is assessed, not assumed. Existing crowns, veneers and fillings do not change colour; internal staining from trauma or tetracycline responds differently; and some teeth are unsuitable
• Treatment may be declined where a condition contraindicates it. That is a clinical decision and not a commercial one

In Australia, products containing more than 6% hydrogen peroxide or more than 18% carbamide peroxide may only be supplied or used by a registered dental practitioner. That is the substantive difference between professional whitening and what is sold over the counter or online.

See teeth whitening for what whitening does, what it does not do, and current fees.

Historical offer — no longer available

The "Valentines Day" Express Whitening offer below closed on 14 February 2020 and is not available. The terms are retained here for the record. The fees stated in it were the fees for that offer at that time and are not current — current fees are on the relevant treatment pages and on promotions.

"Valentines Day" express whitening terms and conditions

1. Subject to 'Promotional Offers Terms and Conditions'.
2. Offer valid for new patient's to Victorian Dental Group who have not had a checkup and clean (item codes 011, 114, 121) previously with Victorian Dental Group.
3. Offer valid on new patient checkup and cleans booked and attended before and including the 14th February 2020.
4. To be eligible for this promotion, patients must have express whitening in conjunction with an examination and professional cleaning at Victorian Dental Group. Examination dependent it may be required for you to have had diagnostic x-rays within the last two (2) years. Patients may request that their dental records and x-rays that have been taken within this period be transferred to Victorian Dental Group. This must be completed prior to your appointment, please contact our practice to arrange.
5. The patient must be over 18 years of age with teeth deemed suitable for Teeth Whitening by a Dental Practitioner at Victorian Dental Group.
6. "EXPRESS WHITENING" is defined as application of Upper and Lower 6 or 15% "Opalescence Go" trays for a period of 15-20mins. During this application patient is to remain on premise of Victorian Dental Group for the entirety of this treatment.
7. Patients will be required to sign written consent before proceeding with Express Whitening.
8. Patients may be refused teeth whitening treatment if dental disease or other conditions are present that contraindicate teeth whitening.
9. If teeth whitening treatment cannot be performed at the time of your appointment due to contraindication, new patient checkup and clean fees will still be applicable $199, which is subject to rebate via your private health insurance provider if registered.

Fees, quotes and consent

Whatever offer applies, the same process governs treatment:

• You receive a written, itemised treatment plan with costs before treatment begins
• Nothing is added to the account without being discussed with you first
• Where something is found mid-treatment that was not visible beforehand, we stop and discuss it
• You may take the plan away, seek a second opinion, or decline

Payment methods, health fund claiming, Afterpay and Zip are set out on payment options.

Appointments and cancellations

Booking, rescheduling, cancellation notice, missed appointment fees and deposits are governed by our attendance policies. In summary: two business days' notice is required, and cancellation must be by telephone or a detailed voicemail — an SMS or email does not cancel an appointment unless we confirm it in writing.

Advertising and regulation

Victorian Dental Group is a registered dental practice and its advertising is subject to the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law. Among other things, that law requires the terms and conditions of any offer to be stated clearly, which is the purpose of this page. It also prohibits testimonials in advertising a regulated health service — see testimonials — and prohibits claims that create unreasonable expectations of benefit.

Questions and concerns

If a term here is unclear, or you think an offer has been applied incorrectly, ring the practice and ask. Most questions of this kind are resolved in a phone call.

If you would prefer to raise a concern independently, complaints about a health service in Victoria can be made to the Health Complaints Commissioner (hcc.vic.gov.au), and concerns about a registered practitioner's conduct to AHPRA (ahpra.gov.au).

Victorian Dental Group Pty Ltd — 291 Wattletree Road, Malvern East VIC 3145 · (03) 9088 5808 · Monday to Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm

These terms may be updated. The commentary and explanatory sections on this page are provided to make the terms easier to follow, are not part of the terms, and are not legal advice. Please also see our Privacy policy and Disclaimer.