Dental Plus Clinic is committed to protecting the privacy of our patients and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information in accordance with applicable Texas state laws, including the Texas Medical Records Privacy Act, and federal regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
1. Information We Collect
We may collect personal and health-related information in the following ways:
- Personal Information: Name, address, phone number, email, and other contact information when you fill out forms, request appointments, or communicate with us.
- Health Information: Relevant health history, dental records, and insurance information necessary for providing dental care.
- Payment Information: Insurance details, billing information, and payment method details when you use our services.
- Website Usage Data: Data about your interactions with our website, such as your IP address, browser type, and pages visited, through cookies and other tracking technologies.
2. How We Use Your Information
The information we collect may be used for the following purposes:
- Dental Care: To provide you with dental services, treatments, and care.
- Appointments & Communication: To schedule appointments and send reminders, respond to your inquiries, and communicate with you regarding your care.
- Billing & Payments: To process payments, manage insurance claims, and handle billing matters.
- Improving Services: To enhance our website, services, and the overall patient experience.
- Legal Compliance: To comply with state and federal laws, including HIPAA, and protect our legal interests.
3. How We Protect Your Information
We prioritize the security of your personal and health information. We implement appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. This includes encrypted storage of health records, secure servers, and access controls.
Despite our efforts, no security measures are completely foolproof. Therefore, while we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
4. Sharing Your Information
We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information under the following circumstances:
- Service Providers: Third-party companies that assist us with website operations, payment processing, or dental services may have access to your information, but only to the extent necessary to perform their functions.
- Legal Compliance: We may disclose your information when required by law, such as to comply with subpoenas, court orders, or legal processes.
- Insurance Providers: For the purpose of processing claims and managing billing and payments.
All sharing of health information is done in accordance with HIPAA and Texas privacy laws.
5. Your Rights
Under Texas law and HIPAA, you have the following rights concerning your personal and health information:
- Access: You have the right to request access to your personal and health records.
- Correction: You may request corrections to your information if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Confidential Communications: You have the right to request that we communicate with you in a certain way (e.g., via email or phone).
- Restrictions: You may request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of your information, although we may not always be able to accommodate these requests.
- Opt-Out: You may opt-out of marketing communications at any time by following the instructions in the communication or contacting us directly.
6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies on our website to improve functionality, analyze usage patterns, and personalize your experience. You may manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings, though disabling cookies may limit some features of the site.
7. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. These sites are governed by their own privacy policies, and we are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
8. Children’s Privacy
Our services are not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete it promptly.
9. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or to comply with legal requirements. Any changes will be posted on this page with the updated date.
