Privacy Policy

Introduction

Forest Family Dentistry ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or interact with us in any way.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Name, address, phone number, and email address
• Date of birth and social security number
• Insurance information and payment details
• Emergency contact information
• Medical and dental history
• Treatment records and clinical notes
• X-rays and other diagnostic images

Website Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• IP address and browser information
• Pages visited and time spent on our site
• Referring website information
• Device and operating system information

How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• Treatment: To provide dental care and treatment services
• Payment: To process payments and work with insurance companies
• Healthcare Operations: To improve our services and maintain quality care
• Appointment Management: To schedule and manage your appointments
• Communication: To send appointment reminders and important health information
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations
• Website Improvement: To enhance our website functionality and user experience

Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

Healthcare Providers

We may share your health information with other healthcare providers involved in your care, including specialists, laboratories, and hospitals.

Insurance Companies

We share necessary information with your insurance company to process claims and verify coverage.

Business Associates

We may share information with third-party service providers who assist us in our operations, such as billing companies, IT support, and appointment scheduling services.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, such as in response to court orders, subpoenas, or public health reporting requirements.

Emergency Situations

We may share information in emergency situations to protect your health and safety.

HIPAA Compliance

As a healthcare provider, we comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other applicable privacy laws. We maintain appropriate safeguards to protect your health information and only use or disclose it as permitted by law.

You have the right to:

• Access your health records
• Request corrections to your health information
• Request restrictions on how we use or share your information
• Request confidential communications
• File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect your personal and health information, including:

• Secure servers and encrypted data transmission
• Access controls and user authentication
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Staff training on privacy and security practices
• Secure disposal of records and devices

Website Cookies and Tracking

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
• Improve website functionality and user experience
• Provide personalized content and features

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. However, disabling cookies may affect some website functionality.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.

Children's Privacy

We provide dental services to patients of all ages, including children. When treating minors, we follow applicable laws regarding parental consent and access to health information. Parents or guardians have the right to access their child's health records and make decisions about their care.

Data Retention

We retain your health records and personal information as required by law and professional standards. Dental records are typically maintained for a minimum of seven years after the last treatment date, or longer if required by state law or if the patient is a minor.

Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request copies of your health records
• Correction: Request corrections to inaccurate information
• Restriction: Request limits on how we use or share your information
• Confidential Communication: Request that we communicate with you in a specific way
• Complaint: File a complaint about our privacy practices

To exercise these rights, please contact our Privacy Officer using the information provided below.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will post the updated policy on our website and indicate the date of the last revision. Continued use of our services after any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

Effective Date

This Privacy Policy is effective as of January 1, 2024, and applies to all information collected by Forest Family Dentistry.