NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND 110W YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.
PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY. TIIE PRIVACY OF YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT TO US.
HOW YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION MAY BE USED.
Treatment: We will use your health information within our office to provide you with the best dental care possible. This may include administrative and clinical office procedures designed to optimize scheduling and coordination of care between hygienists, dental assistants, dentists and business office staff. In addition, we may share your health information with physicians, referring dentists, dental laboratories, pharmacies or other health care personnel providing your treatment.
Payment: We may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services we provide to you. We may do this with insurance forms filed for you in the mail or sent electronically. We will be sure to only work with companies with a similar commitment to the security of your health information.
Healthcare Operations: We may use and disclose your health information in connection with our healthcare operations. Healthcare operations include quality assessment and improvement activities, reviewing the competence or qualifications of healthcare professionals, evaluating practitioner and provider performance. conducting training programs, accreditation, certification, licensing or credentialing activities.
Appointment Reminders: Because we believe regular care is very important to your oral and general health. we will remind you of a scheduled appointment or that it is time for you to contact us to make an appointment. These reminders may include postcards, letters, telephone reminders or electronic reminders, such as e-mail (unless you tell us that you do not want to receive these reminders).
Abuse or Neglect: We will notify government authorities if we believe a patient is the victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence. We will make this disclosure only when we are compelled by our ethical judgment, when we believe we are specifically required or authorized by law or with the patient's agreement. Family,
Friends and Caregivers: We may share your health information with those you tell use will be helping you with your home hygiene, treatment, medications or payment. We will be sure to ask your permission first. In the case of an emergency, where you are unable to tell us what you want, we will use our very best judgment when sharing your health information only when it will be important to those participating in providing your care.
Public Health and National Security: We may be required to disclose to Federal Officials or military authorities health information necessary to complete an investigation related to public health or national security. Health information could be important when the government believes that the public safety could benefit when the information could lead to the control or prevention of an epidemic or the understanding of new side effects of a drug treatment or medical device.
For Law Enforcement: As permitted or required by State or Federal Law, we may disclose your health information to a law enforcement official for certain law enforcement purposes, including, under certain limited circumstances, if you are a victim of a crime or in order to report a crime.
Your Authorization: In addition to our use of your health information for treatment, payment or healthcare operations, you may give us written authorization to use your health information or to disclose it to anyone for any purpose. You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time. Unless you give us written authorization, we cannot use or disclose your health information for any reason except those described in this notice.