FAQs| Frequently Asked Questions |
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How do I become a Give a Smile™ orthodontist? You simply complete the Application Form and send to the ASO Federal Office. You will need to be a full member of the Australian Society of Orthodontists. How do I receive my Give a Smile™ patient? You will get a letter from the GAS Liaison Officer in your state or territory with details of your patient. Please have your staff contact the patient to make an appointment. How many Give a Smile™ patients will I be allocated? One per year. However, if you wish to be allocated more, please advise your GAS Liaison Officer. What if I don’t receive a Give a Smile™ patient one year? This probably means that there was not a suitable patient found in your area from the patients allocated to Give a Smile™. What happens if my patient doesn’t show up for their appointment? Contact the patient again. If still unsuccessful, please advise your GAS Liaison Officer. If my Give a Smile™ patient needs extractions or fillings, how do I go about arranging these? Your patient is entitled to receive these treatments in the public dental health system. However, if you have a dental colleague who has offered his/her services, feel free to arrange it in this way. If my Give a Smile™ patient needs other specialist dental procedures, for example orthognathic surgery or dental implants, how do I go about arranging these procedures? As with the previous question, your patient is entitled to receive these treatments in the public dental health system. In most situations, this will probably be the best way to manage this issue. However, Give a Smile™ has received offers from a number of specialists who wish to provide pro bono treatment for GAS patients. Should the need arise, we may take up these offers and we may also actively encourage this support through the various specialist associations. Does my Give a Smile™ patient pay any fee for their treatment? Public patients in SA, WA and Victoria are required to pay a fee (co-payment) for their orthodontic treatment. In each case, this is approximately $800 for a complete course of treatment. These three state health departments have directed that, in the case of Give a Smile™ patients in their states, co-payments are to be paid to the Give a Smile™ Trust. What if Give a Smile™ wishes to use photos or details of my patient for promotional purpose? On their Patient Consent Form, your patient will have given their permission for photographs and other details to be used by Give a Smile™ in any promotional material. However, this will always be double-checked by Give a Smile™ when such information is being sought. What happens if my Give a Smile™ patient transfers to another locality? Through the appropriate GAS Liaison Officer, Give a Smile™ will try its best to facilitate a transfer to another GAS orthodontist. Failing that, the patient will be transferred back into the public system. What happens if my Give a Smile™ patient continually breaks appointments, appliances or is generally a poor cooperator? You are entitled to charge an appropriate fee in these situations. This is clearly spelt out in the Patient Consent Form. What happens if my Give a Smile™ patient breaks or loses their retainers? As per the previous question, you are entitled to charge an appropriate fee in these events. How do I pull out of Give a Smile™ should I wish to do so? You simply advise the ASO Federal Office in writing. Your name will be taken off all Give a Smile™ listings and the relevant GAS Liaison Officer will be advised. Naturally, you will be obliged to complete the treatment of any GAS patients who had already been allocated to you. Who do I contact if I have any problems, concerns or questions about the Give a Smile™ program? You contact the GAS Liaison Officer in your state or territory. Can I promote Give a Smile™ in my practice in any way? You are most welcome—and warmly encouraged—to promote Give a Smile™ in your practice. Reference to Give a Smile™ on your practice stationery and in other allowable advertising is permitted by all Dental Practice Boards in Australia. What do I tell a patient who enquires how to become a Give a Smile™ patient? You should advise them to first obtain a Health Care Card (or Pension Card). They then need to contact the public dental health department in their state or territory for an appointment to have their dental and orthodontic needs assessed. Details are available on the Give a Smile™ web site. |
