Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: February 16, 2026

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY. THE PRIVACY OF YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT TO US.


Our Legal Duty

We are required by law to protect the privacy of your protected health information (“medical information”). We are also required to send you this notice about our privacy practices, our legal duties, and your rights concerning your medical information.

We must follow the privacy practices described in this notice while it is in effect. This notice takes effect on the date set forth at the top of this page and will remain in effect unless we replace it.

We reserve the right at any time to change our privacy practices and the terms of this notice, provided such changes are permitted by applicable law. We also reserve the right to make any change applicable to all medical information we maintain, including information created or received before changes were made.

If we make a material change to our privacy practices, we will provide you with a revised notice. The effective date of any revised notice will be clearly noted. A current copy will be available in our facility and on our website, and you may request a copy at any time.

We collect and maintain oral, written, and electronic information to administer our business and provide services to our patients. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards in accordance with applicable state and federal standards to protect against loss, destruction, and misuse.


Uses and Disclosures of Your Medical Information

Treatment

We may disclose your medical information, without prior approval, to another dentist or healthcare provider involved in your treatment. For example, your health information may be shared with an oral surgeon to determine whether surgical intervention is needed.

Payment

Your medical information may be used to seek payment from your insurance plan or from you. For example, an insurance company may request information about services provided to process your claim.

Health Care Operations

We may use and disclose your medical information, without prior approval, for healthcare operations, including:

  • Healthcare quality assessment and improvement activities

  • Reviewing provider performance, training, accreditation, licensing, and credentialing

  • Medical reviews, audits, legal services, and fraud prevention

  • Business planning, administration, billing, customer service, and complaint resolution

  • De-identifying medical information or creating limited data sets

We may disclose information to another provider or health plan if they have had a relationship with you and the information is used for quality assessment or fraud prevention purposes.

Your Authorization

You may give written authorization for us to use or disclose your medical information for any purpose. You may revoke authorization at any time, except where actions have already been taken based on that authorization.

We will obtain your authorization before using your information for marketing, fundraising, or commercial purposes. You may opt out of these communications at any time.

Family, Friends, and Others Involved in Your Care

We may disclose relevant medical information to a family member, friend, or other person involved in your care or payment for care.

We may also use your name, location, and general condition to notify or assist agencies responsible for your care during emergencies or disaster relief situations. Whenever possible, you will be given the opportunity to object to these disclosures.

Health-Related Products and Services

We may use your medical information to communicate with you about health-related products, benefits, services, or treatment alternatives.

Reminders

We may use or disclose medical information to send appointment reminders via mail, email, or telephone. By providing your email address, you agree that reminders and breach notifications may be sent electronically.

It is our policy to leave voicemail messages at numbers you provide unless you request otherwise.

Plan Sponsors

If your dental insurance coverage is through an employer-sponsored plan, we may share summary health information with the plan sponsor.


Public Health and Benefit Activities

We may use or disclose your medical information without permission when required or authorized by law, including:

  • Public health reporting, disease tracking, or abuse reporting

  • Preventing serious threats to health or safety

  • Healthcare oversight and licensing activities

  • Research

  • Court orders or lawful processes

  • Law enforcement investigations

  • Coroners, medical examiners, and organ procurement organizations

  • Military or national security purposes

  • Workers’ compensation claims

Special Protections for SUD Records

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment records have enhanced protections and cannot be used in legal proceedings without your consent or court order.

Business Associates

We may disclose information to business associates who perform services on our behalf. They are contractually required to protect your privacy.

Data Breach Notification

We may use your contact information to notify you of any unauthorized acquisition or disclosure of your health information.

Additional Restrictions

Certain federal and state laws may require special privacy protections for highly confidential information, including:

  1. HIV/AIDS

  2. Mental Health

  3. Genetic Testing (GINA 2009)

  4. Alcohol and Drug Abuse

  5. Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Reproductive Health

  6. Child or Adult Abuse or Neglect

When stricter laws apply, we follow the more protective standard.


Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your medical information:

  1. The right to see and obtain a copy of your health records

  2. The right to request amendments to your health information

  3. The right to receive an accounting of disclosures

  4. The right to receive a Notice of Privacy Practices

  5. The right to authorize or decline certain uses, including marketing

  6. The right to request confidential communications

  7. The right to restrict who receives your information

  8. The right to request amendments in writing to the Privacy Officer

  9. The right to file complaints if you believe your rights were violated

  10. The right to opt out of fundraising activities


Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, or you disagree with a decision regarding your medical information, you may contact our Privacy Officer to submit a verbal or written complaint.

You may also submit a written complaint to:

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 509F
Washington, DC 20201

Hotline: 1-800-368-1019

We support your right to privacy and will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.