HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Our Legal Duty

Crestview Dental is required by law to:

• Maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI)
• Provide this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
• Follow the terms of this notice currently in effect
• Accommodate reasonable requests to communicate health information by alternative means or at alternative locations
• Notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction

How We May Use or Disclose Your Health Information

1. Treatment

We may use or share your health information to provide dental care and coordinate treatment with other providers.

Example: A dentist may need to know if you have diabetes to ensure proper healing after a procedure.

2. Payment

We may use your health information to bill insurance, process claims, or collect payment for services.

3. Healthcare Operations

We may use or disclose PHI to improve care quality, train staff, manage our practice, or resolve complaints.

4. Appointment Reminders & Treatment Alternatives

We may contact you via phone, text, or email to remind you of appointments or inform you about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits.

Special Situations

We may also disclose your PHI:

• For public health activities (disease prevention, reporting)
• For health oversight activities (audits, inspections, licensure)
• In response to lawful court orders, subpoenas, or legal processes
• For law enforcement purposes as required by law
• To coroners, medical examiners, or funeral directors
• To prevent a serious threat to health or safety
• For workers' compensation or similar programs

Your Rights

You have the right to:

1. Request restrictions on use or disclosure of your PHI
2. Receive confidential communications by alternative means or locations
3. Inspect and copy your health records
4. Request amendments to your health records
5. Receive an accounting of certain disclosures
6. Obtain a paper copy of this notice
7. Be notified of a breach of your unsecured health information

Changes to This Notice

We may update this notice and make it effective for existing and future PHI. A current copy will be available in our office and on our website.

Complaints

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights:
https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints