Your Protected Health Information (PHI)

PHI includes any information that can identify you and that relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health, treatment, or payment for healthcare services. This may include your name, date of birth, contact information, dental history, insurance information, and appointment records.

How We May Use and Disclose Your PHI

We may use and share your PHI for the following purposes without your written authorization:

• Treatment - To provide, coordinate, or manage your dental care and related services. For example, we may share your PHI with specialists, labs, or pharmacies involved in your treatment.
• Payment - To obtain payment for the dental services we provide. For example, we may share your PHI with your insurance company or billing provider.
• Healthcare Operation - To support our business activities such as quality improvement, staff training, licensing, and accreditation.
• Appointment Reminders and Communication - We may contact you via phone, voicemail, email, or text message for appointment confirmations, reminders, and treatment follow-up — unless you request an alternative method of contact.

Other Uses and Disclosures Permitted or Required by Law

We may also disclose your PHI in limited situations including:

• When required by federal, state, or local law
• For public health activities (e.g., reporting communicable diseases)
• To prevent or reduce a serious threat to health or safety
• For health oversight agencies (e.g., audits, investigations)
• For legal proceedings or law enforcement (with proper documentation)
• For workers' compensation claims
• To coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors
• For research (under approved protocols)

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Written Authorization

All other uses and disclosures of your PHI not covered in this notice will require your explicit written authorization. This includes:

• Marketing purposes
• Sale of your health information
• Use of psychotherapy notes (if applicable)

You may revoke any authorization in writing at any time.

SMS Messaging Privacy

We value your trust when you opt in to receive text messages from us.

• We will not share or sell your opt-in to an SMS campaign with any third party for purposes unrelated to providing you with the services of that campaign.
• We may share your personal data, including your SMS opt-in or consent status, with third parties that help us provide our messaging services, including but not limited to platform providers, phone companies, and any other vendors who assist us in the delivery of text messages.
• All of the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

Your Rights Regarding Your PHI

You have the following rights under HIPAA:

• Right to Access - You may request a copy of your dental records in paper or electronic format.
• Right to Amend - If you believe your records are incorrect or incomplete, you may request a correction.
• Right to Restrict Use - You may request limitations on how we use or share your PHI. While we're not required to agree to all requests, we will comply with restrictions related to out-of-pocket payments.
• Right to Confidential Communication - You may request to be contacted at a specific phone number or address.
• Right to an Accounting of Disclosures - You may request a list of certain disclosures we've made of your PHI.
• Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice - You can request a printed copy of this policy at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.

Our Responsibilities

• We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your PHI.
• We must notify you if a breach occurs that may compromise the privacy or security of your information.
• We must follow the terms of this Privacy Policy and provide updates as needed.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to revise this policy at any time. Updates will apply to all PHI we maintain and will be available in our office and on our website.

Questions or Complaints

If you have any questions about this policy or believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact our Privacy Officer:

Sabre Springs Dentistry
11385 Poway Road #103
San Diego, CA 92128
Phone: (858) 486-8611
Email: admin@sabrespringsdentistry.com

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.