Notice of Privacy Practices

Your privacy matters to us.

This Notice of Privacy Practices explains how your medical and dental information may be used and shared, as well as your rights regarding that information, in accordance with HIPAA regulations. We encourage you to review it carefully.

If you have any questions about this notice, our team is available to help.

Notice of Privacy Practices

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. SMS consent is not shared with third parties (except SMS providers).

1. Introduction

Scott P. Blackhart, DMD, Inc., doing business as Blackhart Dentistry (“Company,” “we,” “us,” “our”), is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring you have a positive experience on our website and when receiving our dental services. This Privacy Policy explains our information practices, including what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your personal information.

2. What Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

• Patient name, date of birth, and age
• Contact information (telephone number, email address, mailing address)
• Dental history and health information
• Insurance information and billing details
• Emergency contact information
• Medical conditions and medications relevant to your dental care
• Communications with our office regarding appointments and services

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may collect certain information automatically, including:

• Your IP address
• Browser type and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on our website
• Referring URL
• Device identifiers
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2.3 Text Message Communications

With your express written consent, we may send text messages to your mobile phone for appointment reminders, treatment information, and other dental care communications. You will provide your cell phone number and opt-in to receive text messages through our sign-up process.

2.4 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage patterns, and improve our services. Below is detailed information about these practices:

2.4.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit our website. These files contain information that allows our website to recognize you on future visits and remember your preferences.

2.4.2 Types of Cookies We Use

We use the following categories of cookies:

• Essential/Necessary Cookies: These cookies are required for basic website functionality, security, and to enable you to navigate our website and use its features. Without these cookies, certain website features may not function properly. These cookies do not track your activity across other websites.
• Performance and Analytics Cookies: These cookies collect information about how you use our website, including which pages you visit, how long you stay, and any errors you encounter. This data helps us understand user behavior, improve website performance, and identify technical issues. Information is collected in aggregated form and does not personally identify you.
• Functional Cookies: These cookies remember your preferences and choices (such as language preference, appointment date selections, or form entries) to enhance your user experience on subsequent visits.
• Marketing and Advertising Cookies: We do not use cookies for marketing or advertising purposes that track your activity across third-party websites or build behavioral profiles for promotional content. However, we may use conversion tracking to measure the effectiveness of our website in helping patients schedule appointments.

2.4.3 Third-Party Tracking Technologies

Our website may use the following third-party services and technologies:

• Google Analytics: Used to analyze website traffic, user behavior, and patient engagement patterns. This helps us improve our website design and content.
• Web server logs: We collect standard server log information, including IP addresses, browser types, and pages accessed, for security and troubleshooting purposes.
• Pixel tags and similar technologies: Small tracking pixels may be used to measure website performance and user interactions.

2.4.4 Important: No Sharing of Tracking Data with Third Parties for Marketing

We do not share website tracking data, cookies, or analytics information with third parties for marketing, advertising, or promotional purposes. Analytics information is retained exclusively for internal business purposes to improve our website and patient experience.

2.4.5 Pixel Tags and Web Beacons

Our website and email communications may contain small electronic files known as pixel tags or web beacons. These are used to count page visits, understand email engagement, and measure the effectiveness of our communications. Pixel tag information is used for internal analytics only and is not shared with external parties for marketing purposes.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Providing dental services and patient care
• Scheduling and confirming appointments
• Communicating with you about your dental health and treatment plans
• Processing payments and managing billing
• Responding to your inquiries and requests
• Sending appointment reminders and follow-up communications
• Improving our services and website functionality
• Complying with legal and regulatory requirements
• Detecting and preventing fraud or security issues

Text Messaging Services: Text message communications are used solely for dental care-related appointments, reminders, and treatment information. We will never use text messages for marketing or promotional purposes.

4. How We Share Your Information

We are committed to protecting your privacy. We do not market, sell, or promote your personal information to external parties. However, we may disclose your information in the following limited circumstances:

• With dental service providers and healthcare professionals involved in your treatment
• With insurance companies for billing and claims processing (only when necessary for your care)
• With our subcontractors who provide support services such as customer service, billing, and administrative functions, acting under confidentiality agreements
• As required by law, court order, or government agency
• To protect our legal rights or the rights of our patients
• To prevent fraud or ensure the security of our services

IMPORTANT: Text Message Originator Information

All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent information. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third parties, except for aggregators and providers of text message services necessary to deliver your appointment reminders and dental care communications.

5. Mobile Information Protection

No mobile information, including your cell phone number and opt-in consent for text messages, will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Your mobile information is used exclusively for dental care-related communications authorized by your express written consent.

6. Your Privacy Rights

You have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to access your personal information
• Right to request correction of inaccurate information
• Right to request deletion of your information (subject to legal and healthcare regulations)
• Right to opt-out of text message communications at any time by replying STOP to any text message or contacting us directly
• Right to request that we not use your information for certain purposes

7. Text Message Communications and Opt-Out

You have the right to withdraw your consent to receive text messages at any time at no cost. To opt-out of text message communications:

• Reply STOP to any text message you receive from us
• Contact us directly at 209-847-0309 or team@oakdaledentistry.com to request removal from our text message list

Once you opt-out, we will remove your mobile number from our text message system promptly. Your decision to opt-out will not affect your ability to receive dental care or other services from us.

8. Data Security

We implement appropriate physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, and destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information, but we are committed to maintaining reasonable security measures.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our dental services are provided to patients of all ages. For pediatric patients, parent or guardian consent is required. Information about minors will be collected and used only as necessary for providing dental care and will be protected with the same safeguards as adult patient information.

10. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or applicable laws. We will notify you of any material changes by updating the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy. Continued use of our services after such modifications constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, our privacy practices, or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us at:

Scott P. Blackhart, DMD, Inc.
DBA Blackhart Dentistry
Phone: 209-847-0309
Email: team@oakdaledentistry.com
Website: oakdalefamilydentalcare.com

12. A2P SMS Compliance

This Privacy Policy complies with A2P (Application-to-Person) SMS messaging standards and regulations. We maintain compliance with:
• Your express written consent for text message communications
• Opt-out and unsubscribe options for all text messages
• Non-sharing of text message originator opt-in data with third parties (except service providers)
• No use of text messages for marketing or promotional purposes without explicit authorization