Privacy Practices
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES for SMILE CREATIONS DENTAL PRACTICE
Effective Date: January 14, 2026
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN ACCESS THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
The privacy of your medical information is important to us.
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have questions about this Notice, our privacy practices, wish to exercise your rights, or want an additional copy of this Notice, please contact:
Smile Creations Dental Practice
Telephone: (858) 636-7887
Email: smilecreationsSD@gmail.com
Address: 9750 Miramar Rd. Suite 133
San Diego, CA 92126
OUR LEGAL DUTIES
We are required by law to:
Maintain the privacy and security of your Protected Health Information (PHI)
Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices
Follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect
This Notice applies to all records of your care maintained by this dental practice, whether created by us or received from other providers.
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time, as permitted by law. Any revised Notice will apply to all PHI we maintain, including information created or received before the change. The effective date of any revised Notice will be stated.
A current copy of this Notice will be:
We maintain administrative, physical, and technical safeguards that comply with state and federal law to protect your medical information from loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure, or destruction.
HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION
1. Treatment
We may use and disclose your medical information to provide, coordinate, or manage your dental care.
Example: Sharing information with a specialist or laboratory involved in your treatment.
2. Payment
We may use and disclose your medical information to bill and collect payment from insurance plans or you.
Example: Submitting claims or responding to coverage inquiries.
3. Health Care Operations
We may use and disclose your medical information for health care operations, including:
Quality assessment and improvement
Provider credentialing, licensing, and training
Audits, legal services, and fraud prevention
Business planning, administration, and customer service
De-identification of information for lawful purposes
We may share your medical information with other health care providers or health plans for these purposes, as permitted by law.
USES AND DISCLOSURES REQUIRING AUTHORIZATION
We will obtain your written authorization before using or disclosing your medical information for:
Marketing purposes
Sale of medical information
Fundraising communications (you may opt out at any time)
Any purpose not described in this Notice
You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already acted on it.
FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND OTHERS INVOLVED IN YOUR CARE
Unless you object, we may disclose relevant medical information to family members, friends, or others involved in your care or payment for care.
In emergencies or when you are incapacitated, we may use professional judgment to determine whether disclosure is in your best interest.
APPOINTMENT REMINDERS & COMMUNICATIONS
We may contact you via phone, voicemail, text message, email, or mail for:
By providing contact information, you consent to these communications. You may request confidential communications or restrict certain methods at any time.
HEALTH-RELATED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
We may inform you about treatment alternatives or health-related products and services that may benefit you. We do not sell your information or share it with third parties for their marketing purposes.
PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
We may disclose your medical information without authorization when required or permitted by law, including:
Public health reporting
Abuse or neglect reporting
Health oversight activities
Judicial or administrative proceedings
Law enforcement purposes
Coroners, medical examiners, and organ donation
National security or military activities
Workers’ compensation
SPECIAL PROTECTIONS FOR SENSITIVE INFORMATION
Certain types of information receive additional protections under federal and California law, including:
Mental health records
Substance use disorder treatment records (42 CFR Part 2)
HIV/AIDS information
Genetic information (GINA)
Reproductive and sexual health information
Child or adult abuse records
When laws conflict, we comply with the most protective standard.
BUSINESS ASSOCIATES
We may disclose medical information to business associates who perform services for us (e.g., billing, IT, labs). They are legally required to protect your information and use it only as permitted.
DATA BREACH NOTIFICATION
We will notify you as required by law if a breach occurs involving your unsecured medical information.
YOUR RIGHTS
You have the right to:
Inspect and obtain a copy of your medical records
Request corrections (amendments) to your records
Receive an accounting of certain disclosures
Receive a paper or electronic copy of this Notice
Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures
Request confidential communications
Designate who may receive your information
File a complaint without fear of retaliation
Opt out of fundraising communications
Requests must be submitted in writing to our Privacy Officer.
COMPLAINTS
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with:
Our Privacy Officer (verbal or written), or
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office for Civil Rights
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: 1-800-368-1019
Website: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
You may be asked to acknowledge receipt of this Notice. Your acknowledgment is not a condition of treatment.