We strive to be leaders in oral health improvement and treatment and improve oral health for all South Australians. Your comments and feedback are welcome.

Compliments

Did we provide you with a service that you really liked? If so, we'd love to hear from you because your comments let us know we're on the right track to providing helpful services.

Improvement ideas

Did we provide you with a service that you think could be improved? We'd like to hear your ideas on how we can improve our services.

Complaints

Did we provide you with a service that didn't meet your expectations?

If you want to make a complaint, it is best to discuss the problem with the staff involved when the issue first arises or ask to speak with the manager. Our staff will be able to take some steps to address your concerns.

We aim to respond to all feedback in a timely manner, however, sometimes:

• the issue can't be dealt with immediately.
• we might need to get more information before we can respond to your complaint.
• you might ask to see or be contacted by a manager but they aren’t available.
• you might like to think about what you want to say and then call and speak with someone, or write to us about your complaint.

Whatever you choose to do, you need to know that:

• you're welcome to have a friend or relative with you when you discuss your complaint.
• you won't be disadvantaged because you've made a complaint.

You can provide feedback on your experience at our clinics by submitting feedback below or contacting us

Do you need some help to contact us?

If for any reason you feel that you can't properly explain your ideas or concerns, or you need some help to deal with an issue, talk with clinic staff who may be able to assist. If needed, they can also organise an accredited interpreter for you, including an Auslan interpreter if required.

You can also provide feedback by

If you have made a complaint and you feel that it hasn't been resolved, or you aren’t happy with the outcome, you can write to us to ask for the situation to be reviewed.

If you’re still not satisfied your complaint has been resolved, you can contact:

Health and Community Service Complaints Commissioner's Officer (HCSCC)

PO BOX 199, Rundle Mall SA 5000.

If your complaint is about a private dental practitioner, you can contact:

The Australian Dental Association (ADA)

PO Box 858, Unley SA 5061

If your complaint is about the unprofessional conduct or performance of any dental practitioner, you can contact:

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

GPO Box 9958, Adelaide SA 5000.

We regularly conduct surveys as a way of finding out what clients have to say about our service and identifying any areas for improvement.

Services for children

Parents and/or guardians were invited to complete a survey for children who are aged less than 18 years and who attended one of our clinics.

The latest survey of our services provided to children was conducted during May – July 2023.

Summary of results:

• 377 (93%) rated their dental clinic experience as “good” or “very good”.
• 370 (92%) considered staff were always welcoming and helpful.
  
• 372 (92%) felt they were always treated with dignity and respect.

Services for adults

In September 2021, a survey was sent to 3,666 clients who had recently visited a clinic or the Adelaide Dental Hospital and 774 surveys were completed.

Summary of results:

• 93% of respondents rated their dental clinic experience as “good” or “very good”
• 93% of respondents considered staff welcoming and helpful
• 93% of respondents felt they were treated with dignity and respect and
• 93% would recommend the public dental service to a relative or friend

Services provided by students

In October 2023, a survey was sent to 3680 adult clients and parents and/or guardians of young clients who were treated by a supervised student during September and October 2023.

Summary of results:

Of the 513 respondents

• 472 (92%) rated their dental clinic experience as good or very good
• 502 (98%) considered the dental student and staff welcoming and helpful
• 499 (97%) felt they were treated with dignity and respect
• 499 (97%) felt the dental student and staff “always” explained things in a way they could understand