Riverton Dental ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you visit our website or become a patient of our practice. Please read this policy carefully. By using our website or services, you agree to the practices described below.
1. Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA)
As a dental practice, we are required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) to maintain the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI) and to provide you with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices. We are required to abide by the terms of this policy and our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices currently in effect.
A full copy of our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices is available at our office and will be provided to you at your first appointment. It describes in detail how we may use and disclose your PHI for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations purposes.
2. Information We Collect
Personal Information You Provide
When you contact us, schedule an appointment, or register as a patient, we may collect:
- Full name, date of birth, and contact information (address, phone, email)
- Health and dental history, including medications, allergies, and prior treatments
- Dental insurance information and billing details
- Emergency contact information
- Any other information you voluntarily provide to us
Website Usage Information
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain technical information, including:
- IP address and browser type
- Pages visited and time spent on the site
- Referring website or search engine
- Device type and operating system
This information is collected using standard server logs and may also be collected through cookies or similar tracking technologies. We use this data solely to improve the performance and content of our website.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Treatment: To provide, coordinate, and manage your dental care and any related services.
- Payment: To bill you or your insurance company for services rendered.
- Healthcare Operations: For quality assessment, staff training, audits, and other administrative purposes necessary to run our practice.
- Appointment Reminders: To contact you about upcoming appointments via phone, email, or text message (where you have provided consent).
- Website Improvements: To analyze site traffic and improve the user experience on our website.
- Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes.
4. Disclosure of Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:
- With Your Consent: We will disclose your PHI to others you authorize in writing.
- Treatment Referrals: With other healthcare providers involved in your care, such as specialists or oral surgeons.
- Insurance & Billing: With your dental insurance carrier or third-party billing services to process claims.
- Business Associates: With vendors and service providers (e.g., appointment software, IT support) who assist in operating our practice, provided they agree to protect your information under HIPAA-compliant agreements.
- Legal Requirements: As required by law, court order, or government regulation, including public health reporting obligations.
- Emergency Situations: To prevent a serious threat to the health or safety of you or another person.
5. Cookies and Website Tracking
Our website may use cookies — small text files stored on your device — to enhance your browsing experience. You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. However, some portions of our website may not function properly without cookies.
We do not use cookies to collect sensitive health information. Any analytics data collected through our website is aggregated and anonymized.
6. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including patient portals, insurance providers, and online scheduling platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
7. Data Security
We implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards designed to protect your personal and health information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include encrypted electronic records, secure office procedures, and regular staff training on privacy and security practices.
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Your Rights as a Patient
Under HIPAA and applicable state law, you have the right to:
- Access your records: Request a copy of your dental and health records.
- Request amendments: Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information in your records.
- Restrict disclosures: Request limits on how we use or disclose your PHI for certain purposes.
- Receive an accounting of disclosures: Request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your PHI.
- Receive communications confidentially: Ask us to contact you only at a specific address or phone number.
- Revoke authorization: Withdraw a previously granted authorization for us to use or disclose your PHI (except where we have already taken action in reliance on it).
- Receive a paper copy of this notice: Request a printed copy of this Privacy Policy at any time.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information below.
9. Children's Privacy
We provide dental care to patients of all ages, including minors. For patients under 18, personal and health information is collected and managed with the consent of a parent or legal guardian, in accordance with HIPAA and applicable state law. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors through our website without verifiable parental consent.
10. Changes to This Policy
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of our website or services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your patient rights, or want to file a complaint, please contact us:
- Riverton Dental
- 2464 W 12600 S, Ste 150
- Riverton, Utah 84065
- Phone: 801-446-8446
- Email: myrivertondental@gmail.com
You also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.