1. Purpose of This Policy

At Gentle Dentistry of Poway, protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients and website visitors is a top priority. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or communicate with our office. We comply with applicable privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

2. HIPAA & Protected Health Information (PHI)

If you are a patient, any medical or dental information shared with our office in the course of treatment is Protected Health Information (PHI) under HIPAA. PHI is used or disclosed only for legitimate healthcare purposes such as treatment, billing, and operations, or as required by law.

Important: This website and its contact forms are intended for general inquiries and appointment scheduling only. Do not submit detailed medical or dental information online unless through a secure, HIPAA-compliant form or portal provided by our office.

3. Information We Collect Online

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect non-personal data such as:

• IP address and general location
• Browser type and version
• Device type (desktop, tablet, mobile)
• Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• Date and time of access
• Pages visited and actions taken
• Referral URLs

This information helps us analyze website traffic, improve site performance, and enhance user experience. It is not linked to identifiable health or patient data.

If you contact us through a form, we may collect the information you provide (e.g., name, phone number, email, and message).

4. Cookies and Analytics

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience and measure performance. We may use tools such as Google Analytics and Meta (Facebook) Pixel to understand visitor behavior and optimize our services. You can control cookies in your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some site features.

5. Use and Disclosure of Information

We use collected information to:

• Respond to appointment or contact requests
• Improve website functionality, security, and user experience
• Analyze trends and measure marketing effectiveness
• Comply with healthcare and privacy laws

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information. Limited data may be shared with trusted service providers (e.g., hosting, analytics, marketing platforms) strictly for operational purposes and under confidentiality obligations.

6. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verified parental consent. Any information collected for minors during treatment is handled under HIPAA protections and with parental or guardian authorization. If you believe a child submitted information online without consent, please contact us for prompt removal.

7. California Consumer Privacy Rights (CCPA)

California residents have the following rights regarding their personal information (non-PHI):

• Right to Know: Request disclosure of the categories and specific personal data we collect and use.
• Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal data, subject to legal and medical recordkeeping obligations.
• Right to Opt-Out: Request that we do not sell or share your personal information. We do not sell personal information.
• Right to Non-Discrimination: Exercising your rights will not affect the quality or cost of your care.

To exercise these rights, contact us using the details in the Contact Us section. We may require reasonable verification of identity.

8. Data Retention

We retain patient and contact information only as long as necessary to provide services, comply with medical recordkeeping requirements, and meet legal obligations. Non-identifiable analytics may be retained for trend analysis.

9. Do Not Track

Our website does not respond to “Do Not Track” (DNT) signals. You can manage cookies in your browser settings if desired.

10. Security

We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. However, no method of internet transmission or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., social media, referral partners). We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those sites. Review their privacy policies before submitting information.

12. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect legal, operational, or technological changes. The Effective Date above indicates the latest version. Continued use of our website signifies acceptance of updates.

13. Contact Us