Privacy Policy

Last Updated: February 16, 2024

This Privacy Policy describes how Surf City Dentist (“we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, and discloses your personal information when you visit our website, located at https://surfcitydentist.com. We are committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal information.

Website Information Collection and Use

We do not collect any personal information directly through forms or other interactive features on our website operated by Surf City Dentist. We do however utilize a third-party DearDoc AI-powered chatbox to answer basic questions and enhance communication. During chat interactions, DearDoc might collect limited information like your name, reason for contact, and any basic demographics you choose to share, helping the AI understand your query and navigate the conversation. Rest assured, this information adheres to the strict confidentiality outlined in this policy. It’s shared only with authorized Surf City Dentist staff and DearDoc personnel (subject to their privacy policies) solely to address your inquiry. We never sell or share your chatbox information with any other third party without your consent. For further details on DearDoc’s specific data practices, please visit their privacy policy.

We may collect non-identifiable information through web analytics tools, such as your browser type, operating system, IP address, and the pages you visit on our website. This information is used to improve the user experience and understand how visitors interact with our website. We do not link or combine this non-identifiable information with any personal information we may collect in other ways.

Some standard website protocols might involve the use of cookies or other tracking technologies. This data helps us understand website usage patterns and improve user experience without infringing on personal privacy. However, it’s important to note that even these non-personal details may fall under cookie regulations in certain jurisdictions. We recommend checking your browser settings if you wish to manage or limit cookie usage on our website. Please remember that disabling cookies might affect website functionality. If we introduce any changes to our data collection practices in the future, we’ll update this policy accordingly.

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP)

Surf City Dentist is committed to protecting the privacy of your Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

We use Google Workspace for email communication, which is HIPAA compliant. This means that your email messages are encrypted at rest and in transit, and access is restricted to authorized personnel. Please be aware that email is not a completely secure form of communication, and you should exercise caution when sending sensitive information via email.

Third-Party Links

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

Data Retention

We will retain your PHI for as long as necessary to provide you with care and comply with applicable laws and regulations. When we no longer need your PHI, we will destroy it in a secure manner.

Your Rights

Under HIPAA, you have certain rights regarding your PHI. These rights include:

  • The right to access your PHI
  • The right to amend your PHI
  • The right to request an accounting of disclosures of your PHI
  • The right to request restrictions on the use or disclosure of your PHI
  • The right to request confidential communications
  • The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • For more information about your rights under HIPAA, please visit the website of the Office for Civil Rights: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html

Security

Surf City Dentist utilizes security measures, including secure networks, access controls, data protection practices, and staff training to safeguard your information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. While online security is never absolute, we are committed to protecting your data through industry-standard practices.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our HIPAA compliance practices, please contact us at:

Email: office@surfcitydentist.com
Phone: (714) 847-7733
Address: 18800 Main St Ste 210, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on our website. You are encouraged to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.