Privacy Policy

Fulton Dental Health respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal and health information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains what we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have when you visit our website, contact our office, or enroll in our text messaging program.

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1. About This Policy and Our HIPAA Notice

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This Privacy Policy covers information collected through our website, online forms, phone calls, and SMS communications.

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Protected health information created or maintained in the course of your dental treatment is governed separately by our Notice of Privacy Practices under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). A copy is available at our front desk and upon request. Where this Privacy Policy and our Notice of Privacy Practices differ with respect to protected health information, the Notice of Privacy Practices controls.

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2. Information We Collect

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We collect only the information needed to schedule your care, treat you, bill accurately, and communicate with you:

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• Contact information: name, phone number, email address, and mailing address.

• Health and treatment information: medical and dental history, current symptoms, treatment records, imaging, and clinical notes.

• Insurance and billing information: carrier, member and group identifiers, coverage details, and payment records.

• Communications: appointment requests, contact form submissions, insurance verification requests, text messages, and call records.

• Website usage data: IP address, browser and device type, pages viewed, and referring source, collected through standard analytics tools.

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3. How We Use Your Information

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We use the information we collect to:

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• Schedule, confirm, reschedule, and manage appointments.

• Provide dental treatment and coordinate care with specialists or laboratories when appropriate.

• Verify insurance eligibility, submit claims, and process payments.

• Send appointment reminders, recall notices, post treatment instructions, and practice updates.

• Respond to your questions and requests.

• Improve our website, our services, and the patient experience.

• Meet legal, regulatory, and professional recordkeeping obligations.

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4. Text Messaging (SMS) Privacy

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When you provide your mobile number and opt in to receive text messages from Fulton Dental Health, we use that number to send you:

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• Appointment reminders and confirmations.

• Pre visit instructions and post treatment follow up.

• Insurance, billing, and account notifications.

• Occasional practice news, recall reminders, and promotions.

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We do not sell your mobile number, and we do not share your mobile number or SMS opt in consent with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing purposes. Your number is used only to communicate with you about your care and our practice. Mobile numbers may be processed by the messaging platform that delivers texts on our behalf, under contract and solely for that purpose.

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To stop receiving messages, reply STOP to any text. Reply HELP for assistance, or call our office directly. Standard message and data rates from your mobile carrier may apply.

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5. Cookies and Website Analytics

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Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to keep the site functioning properly, remember your preferences, and understand how visitors use our pages. Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies through your browser settings, though some site features may not work as intended if you do. We do not use cookies to collect protected health information.

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6. How We Share Your Information

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We share information only in these circumstances:

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• Service providers and business associates: scheduling platforms, messaging providers, payment processors, dental laboratories, imaging services, and IT vendors. Vendors handling protected health information sign business associate agreements and may use your information only to perform services for us.

• Insurance carriers and payers: to verify benefits, obtain authorizations, and submit claims.

• Legal and regulatory requirements: in response to subpoenas, court orders, public health reporting obligations, or other lawful requests.

• Business transitions: if the practice is sold, merged, or transferred, patient records may transfer to the successor practice consistent with applicable law.

• With your authorization: any other disclosure requires your written authorization, which you may revoke at any time.

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We do not sell your personal or health information.

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7. Data Security

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We maintain administrative, physical, and technical safeguards designed to protect your information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or loss. These include access controls, encrypted transmission and storage where appropriate, staff training, and vendor oversight, consistent with the HIPAA Security Rule and the New York SHIELD Act. No system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted over the internet.

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Please do not send detailed health information through unsecured email, contact forms, or text message. Call our office for anything sensitive.

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8. Your Rights and Choices

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Depending on the type of information involved, you may:

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• Access and request copies of your dental records.

• Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information.

• Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your protected health information.

• Request confidential communications at an alternate address or phone number.

• Opt out of text messages by replying STOP, and out of marketing email using the unsubscribe link.

• Request deletion of personal information, subject to our legal and professional obligation to retain dental records for the periods required by New York law and by our insurers.

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To exercise any of these rights, contact our office using the information in Section 11. Your full HIPAA rights are described in our Notice of Privacy Practices.

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9. Children's Privacy

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We treat minor patients, and we collect their information only from a parent or legal guardian, or from another authorized adult, in connection with their dental care. Our website is not directed to children, and we do not knowingly collect information online directly from children under 13. A parent or guardian must provide consent before a minor is enrolled in text message communications.

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10. Third Party Links

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Our website may link to insurance carriers, patient education resources, or other outside sites. We do not control those sites and are not responsible for their privacy practices. Review their policies before providing information.

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11. Changes to This Policy

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We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The revised version will be posted on this page with an updated effective date, and material changes will be communicated where appropriate. Continued use of our website and services after an update indicates acceptance of the revised policy.

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12. Contact Us

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For questions about this Privacy Policy or your information:

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Fulton Dental Health

161 S 2nd St, Fulton, NY 13069

Phone: (315) 598-3700

Fax: (315) 592-4760

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By using our website and services, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.