Privacy Policy

This website is provided for information and education purposes only. No doctor/patient relationship is established by your use of this site/app. No diagnosis or treatment is being provided. The information contained here should be used in consultation with a dentist or doctor of your choice. No guarantees or warranties are made regarding any of the information contained within this website. This website is not intended to offer specific medical, dental, or surgical advice to anyone.

Thank you for visiting our website. This privacy policy tells you how we use personal information collected at this site. Please read this privacy policy before using the site or submitting any personal information. By using the site, you are accepting the practices described in this privacy policy. These practices may be changed, but any changes will be posted and changes will only apply to activities and information on a going forward, not retroactive basis. You are encouraged to review the privacy policy whenever you visit the site to make sure that you understand how any personal information you provide will be used.

Collection of Information

We collect personally identifiable information, like names, postal addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth, when voluntarily submitted by our visitors. Through our appointment request forms, we may also collect health-related information such as orthodontic history, insurance status, or treatment goals. This information is used solely to fulfill your specific request, including scheduling and managing appointments. It is not shared with third parties for marketing purposes without your consent.

Cookie/Tracking Technology

The Site may use cookie and tracking technology depending on the features offered. Cookie and tracking technology are useful for gathering information such as browser type and operating system, tracking the number of visitors to the Site, and understanding how visitors use the Site. Cookies can also help customize the Site for visitors. Personal information cannot be collected via cookies and other tracking technology, however, if you previously provided personally identifiable information, cookies may be tied to such information. Aggregate cookie and tracking information may be shared with third parties.

This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. ("Google"). Google Analytics uses "cookies," which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity, and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.

HIPAA and Protected Health Information (PHI)

Through our appointment request forms, we may collect information that qualifies as Protected Health Information (PHI) under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This may include your name, date of birth, insurance status, prior treatment history, and other details related to your care.

We use this information only to schedule and manage your orthodontic treatment, and we safeguard it in accordance with HIPAA requirements. Access to PHI is restricted to authorized employees and contractors who require the information to perform their job duties and who have agreed to maintain its confidentiality. Please do not submit more detailed medical information than requested on the form.

Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that information has been submitted by a child under 13 without parental consent, we will promptly delete it. Parents or guardians who believe their child has submitted information through our site may contact us to request its removal.

Third-Party Advertising & Remarketing

We may use third-party advertising platforms (such as Google Ads or Meta/Facebook Pixel) to display targeted advertisements to visitors who have interacted with our website. These services may use cookies or similar tracking technologies to provide ads based on your browsing history. You may opt out of interest-based advertising through your browser settings, the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page, or your Google Ads settings. We do not sell personal information to third parties.

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA) Rights

If you are a California resident, you have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

• The right to know what categories of personal information we collect, use, or disclose.
• The right to request access to the specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.
• The right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
• The right to correct inaccurate personal information.
• The right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information (note: we do not sell or share personal information).
• The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights.

To exercise these rights, you may contact us at:
laurel@bellasmile.com (Laurel Street office) page@bellasmile.com (Page Street office)

We will verify your request before fulfilling it, in accordance with California law.

Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, including patient scheduling, treatment management, or legal and regulatory requirements.

• Patient records, including Protected Health Information (PHI), are retained in accordance with HIPAA and California law — typically at least 7 years after the last date of treatment for adults and until at least 1 year after a minor turns 18 (but not less than 7 years total).
• Marketing-related information will be retained until you opt out or request deletion.
• When records are no longer required, they are securely destroyed or anonymized in compliance with applicable law.

Distribution of Information

We may share information with governmental agencies or other companies assisting us in fraud prevention or investigation. We may do so when: (1) permitted or required by law; (2) attempting to protect against or prevent actual or potential fraud or unauthorized transactions; or (3) investigating fraud that has already taken place. The information is not provided to these companies for marketing purposes.

Commitment to Data Security

Your personally identifiable information is kept secure. Only authorized employees, agents, and contractors (who have agreed to keep information secure and confidential) have access to this information. All emails and newsletters from this site allow you to opt out of further mailings. Information submitted through online forms is transmitted using secure, encrypted methods whenever possible. However, no system is 100% secure, and information submitted online may be subject to unauthorized access despite our safeguards.

Accessibility Statement

We are committed to making our website accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities. If you experience difficulty accessing any part of this website, please contact us at: laurel@bellasmile.com or page@bellasmile.com, and we will provide you with the information you need in an alternative format.