Privacy Policy
Last Updated: April 2026
At Forever Smiles Turlock ("we," "us," "our," or "Company"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience on our website and when interacting with our dental practice. This Privacy Policy explains our information practices and the choices you have about the way your information is used. Please read this entire policy carefully.
1. Information We Collect
Personal Information You Provide
We collect information you voluntarily provide when you interact with our website and dental practice, including:
- Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
- Appointment Information: Appointment dates, times, and service preferences
- Patient History: Medical and dental history, including allergies, medications, and previous treatments
- Insurance Information: Insurance provider, policy number, and coverage details (when necessary for treatment)
- Payment Information: Credit card or payment method details (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
- Communication Preferences: How you prefer to receive appointment reminders and communications
Health Records
In accordance with HIPAA regulations, we maintain comprehensive dental and health records, which may include:
- Diagnostic imaging (X-rays, photos, 3D scans)
- Clinical notes and treatment plans
- Progress notes from appointments
- Prescription records
- Billing and insurance records
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information through cookies, tracking pixels, and similar technologies:
- IP address and browser information
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- Referring URL and links clicked
- Device type and operating system
- General location information (not precise geolocation)
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
Treatment and Patient Care
- Providing dental services and care
- Diagnosing and treating dental conditions
- Maintaining patient health records
- Planning and discussing treatment options
- Following up on treatment and recovery
Billing and Payment
- Processing payments for services
- Submitting claims to insurance providers
- Managing billing inquiries and accounts
- Collecting outstanding balances
Communication
- Sending appointment reminders and confirmations
- Responding to your inquiries and requests
- Providing patient education materials
- Notifying you of service changes or updates
- Sending promotional communications (with your consent)
Website Improvement
- Analyzing website usage and performance
- Improving user experience and functionality
- Personalizing content and recommendations
- Troubleshooting technical issues
3. Information Sharing and Disclosure
With Your Consent
We will share your information with third parties only with your explicit consent, such as when you authorize us to submit claims to your insurance provider or when you request a referral to a specialist.
Business Associates
We may share your health information with Business Associates who assist us in providing treatment and services, including:
- Dental laboratories for crown and bridge fabrication
- Insurance companies for claim processing
- Healthcare providers for referrals and consultations
- Billing and payment processing services
All Business Associates are required by law (HIPAA) to maintain the confidentiality and security of your health information.
Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information when required by law, including:
- Court orders or subpoenas
- Law enforcement requests
- Public health requirements (e.g., reporting communicable diseases)
- Fraud detection and prevention
- Mandatory reporting of abuse or neglect
De-identified Information
We may share de-identified or aggregated information that cannot reasonably identify you with third parties for research, marketing, and analytics purposes.
What We Do NOT Share
We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes.
4. Data Security
We implement comprehensive administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect your personal and health information from unauthorized access, alteration, and destruction:
- Secure encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS)
- Password protection and access controls
- Regular security updates and patches
- Employee training on privacy and security practices
- Secure record disposal and shredding
- Backup systems and disaster recovery plans
- HIPAA-compliant data storage and management
However, no method of electronic transmission is 100% secure. While we strive to use industry-standard protections, we cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.
5. Patient Rights
Under HIPAA and California privacy laws, you have the following rights regarding your health information:
Right to Access
You have the right to request access to and receive a copy of your health records. We will provide these records in a timely manner, typically within 30 days of your request.
Right to Correction
You have the right to request that we amend or correct inaccurate information in your health records. We will evaluate your request and respond within 30 days.
Right to Deletion
You may request deletion of your information, subject to legal retention requirements. Note that we may need to maintain certain records for legal, billing, or treatment continuity purposes.
Right to Confidential Communication
You may request that we communicate with you about your health information using alternative means or at specific locations.
Right to Opt-Out
You may opt out of receiving promotional communications from us at any time. Please contact us using the information below.
Right to Know About Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of entities to which we have disclosed your health information.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided at the end of this policy.
6. HIPAA Compliance
Forever Smiles Turlock is a HIPAA-covered entity. We comply with all applicable HIPAA regulations regarding the privacy and security of your protected health information (PHI). Our Notice of Privacy Practices provides additional details about our privacy practices and your rights. Please ask us for a copy at your next appointment or contact us directly.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience and analyze usage patterns:
- Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and security
- Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website
- Preference Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
- Marketing Cookies: Used for targeted advertising and retargeting
You can control cookie settings through your browser. However, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality. Do Not Track (DNT) signals are not currently supported.
8. Children's Privacy
Our website and services are not directed to children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. Pediatric dental patients are served under the authority of their parent or legal guardian, who is responsible for providing consent and managing their child's health information.
9. Third-Party Links and Services
Our website may contain links to third-party websites and services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any external sites before providing your information.
10. California Privacy Rights
California residents have additional privacy rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). You have the right to:
- Know what personal information is collected, used, and shared
- Request deletion of personal information (with certain exceptions)
- Opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information
- Correct inaccurate information
- Non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights
Health information covered by HIPAA is exempt from CCPA/CPRA requirements. To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.
11. Data Retention
We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide services and comply with legal obligations:
- Health Records: Retained for 7 years after last patient contact (or per state law)
- Billing Records: Retained for 7 years for tax and financial purposes
- Marketing Communications: Retained until you unsubscribe
- Website Analytics: Retained for 24 months or less
12. Policy Changes
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on our website and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our website and services following notification of changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.
13. Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
Forever Smiles Turlock1850 Colorado Ave
Turlock, CA 95382
Phone: (209) 500-1234
Email: info@foreversmilesturlock.com
Privacy Officer: Dr. Jasleen Kaur
This Privacy Policy is effective as of the date last updated above and constitutes the entire privacy policy for Forever Smiles Turlock. If you do not agree with our privacy practices, please do not use our website or services.