Privacy Policy

Introduction

At Bauer Family Dental, we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients’ personal and health information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other applicable laws.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal and health information to provide you with high-quality dental care. This information may include, but is not limited to:

• • • Personal Information: Name, address, phone number, email address, date of birth, and insurance details.
    • Health Information: Medical history, dental records, treatment plans, and other information related to your dental care.
    • Payment Information: Credit card details, billing information, and payment history.

2. How We Use Your Information

Bauer Family Dental uses your information for the following purposes:

• • • Treatment: To provide, coordinate, and manage your dental care, including consultations, treatments, and follow-up visits.
    • Payment: To process payments for dental services rendered and to manage billing and collections.
    • Healthcare Operations: To improve the quality of care we provide, manage our practice, and comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

SMS Opt-Ins: Patients who provide their phone numbers may receive SMS notifications related to their appointments, treatment reminders, and other healthcare-related communications. By providing your phone number, you consent to receiving these informational text messages. We will not send promotional content unless you have expressly opted in for such communications.

3. How We Protect Your Information

We take the security of your information seriously and have implemented strict measures to protect it, including:

• • • Physical Safeguards: Secure storage of paper records in locked files and restricted access to areas where sensitive information is stored.
    • Technical Safeguards: Use of encrypted electronic systems for storing and transmitting health information, secure passwords, and firewalls.
    • Administrative Safeguards: Training our staff on HIPAA compliance and the importance of patient confidentiality, as well as implementing policies and procedures to ensure the privacy and security of your information.

Consistent Maintenance: In addition to our existing safeguards, we regularly review and update our security measures to protect against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of your personal and health information.

4. Sharing Your Information

We will not share your information with any other parties without your explicit consent, except as required by law. We may share your information with the following entities for the purposes of treatment, payment, and healthcare operations:

• • • Healthcare Providers: Other dentists, specialists, and healthcare professionals involved in your care.
    • Insurance Companies: To process claims and obtain payment for services provided.
    • Business Associates: Third-party service providers who assist with billing, IT support, and other administrative functions. These entities are required to comply with HIPAA regulations and maintain the confidentiality of your information.

Opt-In Data: We do not share phone numbers or any other information collected through SMS opt-ins with third parties for marketing or promotional purposes. Any data collected for the purposes of automated messaging will be used solely for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, as permitted by HIPAA.

5. Your Rights

Under HIPAA, you have the following rights regarding your health information:

• • • Right to Access: You may request a copy of your health records and other personal information we have on file.
    • Right to Amend: You may request corrections to your health information if you believe it is inaccurate or incomplete.
      
    • Right to Restrict Disclosures: You may request that we limit how we use or disclose your information, though we may not be able to comply with all requests.
      
    • Right to Confidential Communications: You may request that we communicate with you in a certain way or at a specific location.
    • Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your health information.

Right to Opt-Out of SMS Communications:  You have the right to opt-out of receiving SMS notifications at any time by replying ‘STOP’ to any message you receive from us, or by contacting us directly at the phone number or email provided below. Once you opt-out, no further text messages will be sent unless you re-enroll.

6. SMS Consent

By providing your phone number, you are explicitly consenting to receive SMS (text message) notifications from Bauer Family Dental regarding your dental care. These messages may include appointment reminders, treatment-related updates, or other healthcare-related communications. We will not send any promotional or marketing messages without your explicit, written consent for such communications. If you wish to stop receiving SMS messages, you may opt-out at any time by replying ‘STOP’ to any message or contacting us directly.

7. Changes to This Privacy Policy

Bauer Family Dental reserves the right to update or change this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on our website, and the effective date will be updated accordingly.

8. Contact Information

Your trust is important to us, and we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your information is handled with the utmost care and respect. If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your rights under HIPAA, please contact us at:

• • • • Bauer Family Dental
      • Office: (208) 356-8759
      • Fax: (208) 346-8734
      • 345 N 2nd E Ste 3,
        Rexburg, ID 83440
      • bauerfamilydentalrexburg@gmail.com