Santa Monica Dental Studio ("we," "our," "us," or the "Practice") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you provide when visiting or interacting with our website.
This Privacy Policy explains how information may be collected, used, disclosed, and protected through our website.
Information We May Collect
Depending on how you interact with our website, we may collect information including:
- Name
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Appointment preferences
- Information voluntarily submitted through website forms
- Insurance-related information when specifically requested
- Communications you send to the Practice
- IP address
- Browser and device information
- Website usage and interaction data
- Referral source and marketing attribution information
- Cookies and similar technologies
Please do not submit highly sensitive health, financial, or other confidential information through a general website contact form unless specifically requested.
How We Use Information
Information collected through the website may be used to:
- Respond to inquiries
- Process appointment requests
- Communicate regarding appointments or services
- Provide requested information
- Operate and improve our website
- Understand website performance and visitor activity
- Maintain website security
- Improve patient and visitor experience
- Perform administrative and business functions
- Measure marketing and advertising effectiveness
- Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
HIPAA and Protected Health Information
As a dental healthcare provider, Santa Monica Dental Studio may be subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA") and other federal and state healthcare privacy laws.
Certain information that we receive or maintain in connection with providing healthcare services may constitute Protected Health Information ("PHI").
When information constitutes PHI, its use and disclosure are governed by HIPAA and our Notice of Privacy Practices, rather than solely by this website Privacy Policy.
Our Notice of Privacy Practices explains how we may use and disclose your health information, your rights regarding that information, and how you may contact us regarding privacy concerns.
View Our Notice of Privacy Practices
If there is a conflict between this Privacy Policy and our Notice of Privacy Practices regarding PHI, the Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable law will control.
Website Forms
Information submitted through website forms is used to respond to your request and, where appropriate, facilitate communication with our Practice.
While we take reasonable measures to protect information, no internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
General website forms should not be used for emergency communications or to transmit sensitive medical or dental information unless specifically designed for secure healthcare communications.
Emergency Communications
Do not use this website, email, text messaging, online forms, chat features, or other electronic communications for a medical or dental emergency.
If you are experiencing a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
For urgent dental concerns, contact the Practice directly by telephone. Electronic submissions may not be monitored continuously and should not be relied upon for urgent care.
Artificial Intelligence
We or our authorized service providers may use artificial intelligence ("AI"), machine learning, automation, or similar technologies for certain administrative, analytical, operational, educational, marketing, or content-development purposes.
For example, AI-assisted tools may help us organize information, develop general website content, improve website functionality, analyze website performance, or support administrative workflows.
AI-generated or AI-assisted content on this website is intended for general informational purposes and should not be considered individualized dental or medical advice.
We do not intend to disclose PHI to publicly accessible or consumer AI platforms in a manner that violates HIPAA or other applicable privacy laws. Where AI technologies are used in connection with PHI, their use should be subject to appropriate privacy, security, contractual, and legal safeguards.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website may use cookies, pixels, analytics technologies, and similar tools to operate the website, remember preferences, understand website traffic, improve performance, and measure advertising or marketing campaigns.
Depending on the website configuration, third-party services may collect information about your interactions with the website.
Where required by applicable law, visitors may be provided with options to manage certain cookie or tracking preferences.
Analytics and Advertising
We may use third-party analytics, advertising, call-tracking, or website-performance services.
These technologies may collect information such as device type, browser type, IP address, pages viewed, referring websites, approximate location, and interactions with advertisements or website features.
Because healthcare-related browsing information can be sensitive, we seek to configure tracking and advertising technologies in a manner consistent with applicable privacy requirements. We do not intend to disclose PHI to advertising platforms for unauthorized advertising purposes.
How We May Share Information
We may share information with service providers that assist us with legitimate business functions such as:
- Website hosting and maintenance
- Appointment scheduling
- Secure communications
- Practice management
- Analytics
- IT and cybersecurity
- Payment processing
- Marketing and advertising
- Professional and legal services
Where a service provider receives PHI on behalf of the Practice and HIPAA requires it, appropriate contractual safeguards, such as a Business Associate Agreement, may be used.
We may also disclose information when required by law, legal process, regulatory requirements, or when reasonably necessary to protect the rights, safety, or security of the Practice, our patients, or others.
We Do Not Sell Protected Health Information
We do not sell PHI for commercial marketing purposes in violation of HIPAA.
Any use or disclosure of PHI is subject to applicable healthcare privacy requirements and our Notice of Privacy Practices.
Email and Text Communications
If you provide your email address or telephone number, we may use that information to respond to your request or communicate with you regarding appointments, services, or other Practice-related matters.
Standard email and SMS communications may not be fully secure. Avoid transmitting sensitive health information through unsecured communications unless specifically instructed.
Message and data rates may apply to SMS communications.
Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards intended to protect personal information under our control.
However, no website, internet transmission, email system, or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted electronically.
Children's Privacy
Our website is intended for a general audience and is not designed to knowingly collect personal information directly from children without appropriate involvement from a parent or legal guardian.
Parents or guardians may contact the Practice regarding dental care for minors.
Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy, security, or information-handling practices of those third parties.
We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you use.
California Privacy
California residents may have certain rights regarding their personal information under applicable California privacy laws.
Depending on the law applicable to the Practice and the type of information involved, these rights may include the right to request information regarding certain personal information collected about you, request correction or deletion, or exercise other privacy rights.
Certain information, including PHI governed by HIPAA, may be subject to separate rules, exemptions, or procedures.
To submit a privacy-related request, please contact us using the information below.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in technology, website functionality, our practices, or applicable legal requirements.
The version posted on this website will be the current version.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, our privacy practices, or information submitted through this website, please contact:
Santa Monica Dental Studio
2428 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 402A
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-453-4488
For questions specifically regarding your protected health information or HIPAA rights, please refer to our Notice of Privacy Practices or contact the Practice directly.