Confidence Family Dentistry Privacy Policy
Last Updated: July 5, 2025
Confidence Family Dentistry (“we,” “our,” “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our patients and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit confidencefamilydentistry.com or receive care at our practice.
1. Information We Collect
| Category | Examples | How Collected |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Identifiers | Name, postal address, email, phone, date of birth | Online appointment forms, in‑office paperwork, membership enrollment |
| Protected Health Information (PHI) | Dental/medical history, X‑rays, treatment notes, insurance details | Intake forms, diagnostic imaging, chair‑side consultation |
| Payment Information | Credit‑card numbers (tokenized), bank details, billing address | Point‑of‑sale terminals, encrypted payment gateways |
| Technical & Usage Data | IP address, browser type, pages visited, cookies, device identifiers | Cookies, analytics scripts, server logs |
| Marketing Preferences | Newsletter opt‑ins, promotion responses | Checkboxes, email interactions |
2. How We Use Your Information
Provide Clinical Care – Diagnose conditions, plan treatments, and deliver dental services.
Administer Appointments & Billing – Confirm visits, process payments, work with insurers, or our in‑house membership plan.
Continuing Education & Quality Improvement – De‑identified case review, staff training, technology calibration.
Patient Support & Communication – Send reminders, post‑op instructions, test‑result notifications, or practice updates.
Marketing (With Consent) – Educational newsletters, special offers, or surveys. You may opt out at any time.
Legal & Compliance – Fulfill obligations under HIPAA, state dental boards, court orders, or other applicable laws.
3. Legal Bases for Processing
Where required by law (e.g., GDPR for EU visitors), we rely on one or more of the following legal bases:
Performance of a contract (providing care or membership benefits)
Compliance with legal obligations (HIPAA, tax law)
Legitimate interests (practice management, fraud prevention)
Consent (email marketing, certain cookies)
4. How We Share Information
| Recipient | Purpose | Safeguards |
|---|---|---|
| Business Associates (labs, imaging centers, cloud EHR providers) | Treatment, record storage | HIPAA‑compliant BAAs |
| Service Providers (IT, payment processors, marketing platforms) | Site hosting, payment, patient reminders | Contractual confidentiality, encryption |
| Insurance Companies | Claims processing, prior authorization | Minimum necessary PHI only |
| Regulators & Law Enforcement | Audits, subpoenas, public‑health reporting | As mandated by law |
| Successors | Practice sale, merger, or transfer | Written assurances of equal or higher privacy protection |
We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties.
5. Cookies & Tracking Technologies
We use first‑ and third‑party cookies, pixel tags, and similar tools to:
Remember user preferences
Perform website analytics (e.g., Google Analytics)
Provide secure log‑in sessions
Facilitate online chat or appointment pop‑ups
You can control cookies through your browser settings or opt‑out tools such as aboutads.info.
6. Data Security
Encryption – All web forms transmit data via TLS/SSL; PHI is encrypted at rest where feasible.
Access Controls – Role‑based staff permissions, unique log‑ins, audit logs.
Physical Safeguards – Secured server rooms, alarm systems, shredding of paper records.
Incident Response – We investigate and notify affected individuals if a breach of unsecured PHI occurs as required by HIPAA and applicable state laws.
7. Data Retention
Clinical records are retained for the period required by state dental regulations (typically 7–10 years for adults, longer for minors).
Marketing data is held until you withdraw consent or after two years of inactivity, whichever comes first.
Analytics logs are stored no longer than 26 months unless needed for security investigations.
8. Your Rights & Choices
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the right to:
Access or Receive a Copy of your dental records.
Request Correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
Restrict or Object to certain uses or disclosures.
Request Deletion of non‑essential data (subject to legal retention requirements).
Opt Out of marketing emails or certain cookies.
Data Portability – Receive information in a structured, commonly used format.
To exercise these rights, please contact us (see Section 12). We respond within 30 days or as required by law.
9. Children’s Privacy
Our website is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 13 without verifiable parental consent. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such data, contact us and we will delete it promptly.
10. Third‑Party Links
Our site may include links to external websites (e.g., dental associations, continuing‑education partners). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. Please review their policies before providing any information.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Material changes will be posted on this page with a new “Last Updated” date. Where required by law, we will obtain your consent or give advance notice.
12. Contact Us
Confidence Family Dentistry
1234 Smile Avenue
Omaha, NE 68100, USA
Phone: (402) 555‑1234
Email: privacy@confidencefamilydentistry.com
If you have questions, concerns, or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please reach out using any of the methods above. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office for Civil Rights or your local data‑protection authority.
By using our website or receiving services at Confidence Family Dentistry, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.