Privacy Policy

At Foothill Ranch Dentistry, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security 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 communicate with us through various channels including SMS messaging.

By using our website or services, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information

We collect various types of personal information that you provide to us directly, including:

Identity Information: Name, date of birth, gender, and government-issued identification
Contact Information: Mailing address, email address, telephone numbers (home, mobile, work)
Emergency Contact Information: Names and contact details of emergency contacts

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing behavior:

Device Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device identifiers
Usage Information: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, referring website addresses
Location Information: General geographic location based on IP address
Cookies and Tracking Data: Information collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies (see Cookie Policy section below)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Healthcare Services

Scheduling and managing appointments
Providing dental care, treatment, and consultations
Maintaining accurate medical and dental records
Processing insurance claims and billing
Sending appointment reminders and follow-up care instructions

Business Operations

Responding to inquiries and providing customer support
Improving our services and website functionality
Conducting quality assurance and training
Complying with legal and regulatory requirements
Processing payments and managing accounts

Marketing and Communications

Conducting patient satisfaction surveys

3. SMS Text Messaging Program

SMS Opt-In and Consent

By providing your mobile phone number and opting into our SMS messaging program, you expressly consent to receive text messages from Foothill Ranch Dentistry. These messages may include:

Appointment confirmations and reminders
Treatment follow-up messages
Practice updates and announcements

Message Frequency

Message frequency varies depending on your appointment schedule and the services you receive. You may receive up to 4-6 messages per month. Message and data rates may apply based on your mobile carrier’s plan.

Opt-Out Instructions

You can opt-out of SMS messages at any time by:

Replying STOP to any text message you receive from us
Contacting our office directly at (949) 581-8100
Sending an email to info@foothillranchdentistry.com

After opting out, you will receive one final confirmation message. You may continue to receive SMS messages for a brief period while we process your request.

Help and Support

For help with SMS messages, reply HELP to any message or contact us at (949) 581-8100.

Carrier Liability

Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. We are not responsible for messages that are blocked by your carrier or not received due to network issues.

4. Mobile Information Sharing

We do not share your mobile phone number with third parties for their marketing purposes. Your mobile contact information is used solely for communication between you and Foothill Ranch Dentistry.

We may share your mobile number with:

Service Providers: Third-party SMS platform providers who help us deliver text messages (these providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for providing services to us)
Mobile Carriers: Your wireless carrier receives technical information necessary to deliver SMS messages to your device

Your mobile information may be transferred if your number is ported to a different carrier, but we do not control or participate in this process.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Types of Cookies We Use

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and collect information about how you use our site:

Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function properly, including security features and basic navigation
Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting anonymous usage statistics (e.g., Google Analytics)
Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings to provide a personalized experience
Marketing Cookies: Track your browsing activity to deliver relevant advertisements and measure campaign effectiveness

Third-Party Tracking

We use third-party services that may collect information about your online activities over time and across different websites:

Google Analytics: Provides website traffic analysis and user behavior insights
Facebook Pixel: Tracks conversions and enables targeted advertising on social media
Social Media Plugins: May track your interactions with embedded content

Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

View what cookies are stored and delete them individually or in bulk
Block third-party cookies
Block all cookies from specific websites
Delete all cookies when you close your browser

Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website and your user experience.

6. Data Security and Protection

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal and health information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction:

Security Measures

Encryption: We use SSL/TLS encryption for data transmitted over the internet
Access Controls: Only authorized personnel have access to personal health information on a need-to-know basis
Physical Security: Our facilities have physical safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to records
Regular Audits: We conduct regular security assessments and updates to our systems
Employee Training: All staff members receive HIPAA and privacy training

HIPAA Compliance

As a healthcare provider, we comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and maintain the confidentiality of your protected health information (PHI). For detailed information about how we use and disclose your health information, please refer to our Notice of Privacy Practices, which is provided to you at your first appointment.

Data Retention

We retain your personal and health information for as long as necessary to:

Provide ongoing dental care and treatment
Comply with legal, regulatory, and professional obligations
Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements

Dental records are typically retained for a minimum of seven years from the date of last treatment, or longer as required by state law and professional standards.

Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that affects your personal or health information, we will notify you and relevant authorities as required by applicable law, including HIPAA breach notification requirements.

7. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

Healthcare Operations

Insurance Companies: To process claims and verify coverage
Healthcare Providers: To coordinate your care with specialists or other providers (with your authorization)
Laboratories and Suppliers: To fabricate dental appliances and provide treatment

Service Providers

Business Associates: Third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf (billing, IT support, appointment reminders) under HIPAA-compliant agreements
Payment Processors: To process credit card and electronic payments securely

Legal Requirements

To comply with court orders, subpoenas, or legal processes
To protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of others
To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence as required by law
For public health activities and regulatory reporting

8. Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Correction

Right to Access: You may request a copy of your dental records and personal information we maintain
Right to Correct: You may request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information
Right to an Accounting: You may request a list of disclosures of your health information

Communication Preferences

Opt-Out of Marketing: You can unsubscribe from promotional emails and SMS messages at any time
Communication Method: You may request to receive communications through specific channels or at alternative addresses

Data Portability and Deletion

Request a Copy: You may request an electronic copy of your records in a commonly used format
Request Deletion: You may request deletion of certain personal information, subject to legal and regulatory retention requirements

Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided at the end of this policy. We will respond to your request within the timeframes required by applicable law. Please note that we may need to verify your identity before processing certain requests.

Right to Complain

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with:

Our Privacy Officer (contact information below)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights

We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through our website. When we provide dental services to minors, we obtain consent from parents or legal guardians and comply with all applicable privacy laws regarding minors’ health information.

10. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites for your convenience. 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 sites you visit.

11. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Right to know what personal information is collected, used, and shared
Right to delete personal information (subject to certain exceptions)
Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will post the updated policy on our website with a new “Last Updated” date. Material changes will be communicated through a notice on our website or via email. Your continued use of our services after such changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Information

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

Foothill Ranch Dentistry
Privacy Officer
26700 Towne Centre Dr STE 210, Foothill Ranch, CA 92610

Phone: (949) 581-8100
Email: info@foothillranchdentistry.com
Website: www.foothillranchdentistry.com