At Newport Beach Dental Center, we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your data when you visit our website or engage with our dental services. We adhere to the strict standards set by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and we take every step to ensure that your information is safeguarded.
- Information We Collect
We collect different types of information depending on how you interact with our services:
- Personal Identification Information: When you schedule an appointment, contact us, or fill out forms, we may collect your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, date of birth, and insurance information.
- Health Information: As a dental practice, we collect and maintain records of your health and medical history, including dental treatments, diagnoses, prescriptions, X-rays, and other medical information. This is protected under HIPAA and is kept confidential.
- Non-Personal Identification Information: We may also collect data such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, and browsing activity on our website to improve your user experience.
- How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- To Provide Dental Services: We use your personal and health information to schedule appointments, deliver treatment, follow up on care, and process your insurance claims.
- To Communicate with You: We may send reminders for upcoming appointments, provide health-related updates, or respond to your inquiries.
- To Improve Our Services: We use non-personal information to analyze website usage, improve our content, and ensure that your experience on our site is seamless and accessible.
- To Comply with Legal and Regulatory Requirements: As required by law, we comply with HIPAA and other relevant regulations to maintain the confidentiality and security of your health information.
- How We Protect Your Information
We take the protection of your personal and health information seriously and use a combination of technical, physical, and administrative safeguards, including:
- HIPAA Compliance: As a healthcare provider, we are committed to adhering to HIPAA requirements to protect your health information. This includes strict confidentiality protocols and training for our staff on maintaining patient privacy.
- Data Encryption: Sensitive data, such as health and payment information, is encrypted during transmission to ensure its safety.
- Access Controls: Only authorized personnel have access to your personal and health data, and we regularly review access levels to ensure the security of your information.
- Physical Security: Our office facilities are protected by physical security measures, and we take steps to secure paper records and other sensitive materials.
- Sharing Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. However, we may share your information in the following instances:
- With Service Providers: We may share your data with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our practice, such as payment processors, insurance companies, and IT support services. These providers are required by law to maintain the confidentiality and security of your data.
- For Legal and Regulatory Compliance: We may disclose your health or personal information when required by law, such as in response to subpoenas, court orders, or to comply with legal obligations under HIPAA or other regulations.
- In Medical Emergencies: In the event of a medical emergency, we may share your health information to provide necessary care or protect your safety.
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience on our website. Cookies are small files stored on your device that help us recognize your preferences and improve functionality. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings, but please note that disabling cookies may impact your user experience on our site.
- Your Rights and Choices
You have the following rights with respect to your personal and health information:
- Access to Your Information: Under HIPAA, you have the right to request access to your health records and other personal data that we maintain.
- Amendments: If you believe any information we hold about you is inaccurate or incomplete, you may request that we correct or update it.
- Opt-Out of Marketing Communications: You may opt-out of receiving marketing communications from us at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions in our emails or by contacting us directly.
- Request Data Deletion: You may request the deletion of your personal information, subject to applicable legal and medical record retention requirements.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below.
- Children’s Privacy
Our services are not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from children. If we discover that we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information.
- Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any personal or health-related information.
- Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, legal obligations, or services. When updates are made, we will post the revised policy on this page with an updated “Effective Date.” We encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your personal and health information.
- Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal or health information, please contact us:
We are committed to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of your information and will respond to your inquiries as quickly as possible.
Notice of Privacy Practices
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