Privacy Policy

TLC Dentistry (“TLC Dentistry,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you provide to us.

This Privacy Policy explains how information may be collected, used, disclosed, and protected when you visit tlcdentistrypdx.com, contact our office, submit information through our website, or communicate with us by telephone, email, or text message.

Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with TLC Dentistry, we may collect information including:

• Your name
• Email address
• Telephone or mobile number
• Information submitted through contact or appointment-request forms
• Communications you send to us
• Appointment-related information
• Website usage information, including browser type, device information, IP address, and pages visited
• Other information that you voluntarily provide to us

Please do not submit sensitive medical information, Social Security numbers, financial account information, insurance information, detailed health history, or other Protected Health Information through a general website contact form unless specifically instructed to do so through a secure method provided by TLC Dentistry.

How We Use Information

We may use information collected through our website and communications to:

• Respond to questions and requests
• Schedule, confirm, or change appointments
• Send appointment reminders
• Provide patient and customer service
• Communicate regarding treatment-related administrative matters
• Communicate regarding billing or insurance matters
• Respond to communications initiated by you
• Maintain and improve our website and services
• Protect the security and integrity of our systems
• Comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements

SMS and Mobile Messaging

If you choose to receive text messages from TLC Dentistry, we may use your mobile telephone number to communicate with you regarding:

• Appointment scheduling
• Appointment confirmations
• Appointment reminders
• Rescheduling
• Office closures or schedule changes
• Customer service
• Responses to questions
• Other administrative communications relating to your dental care

No mobile opt-in information or SMS consent information will be sold, rented, or shared with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes.

SMS opt-in information will not be transferred to third parties for their own marketing purposes.

We may provide information to service providers that assist us with telecommunications, text messaging, website hosting, technology, security, or other business functions, but only as reasonably necessary for those providers to perform services on our behalf and subject to applicable privacy and security requirements.

You may opt out of text messages at any time by replying STOP.

You may reply HELP for assistance.

Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply.

For additional information regarding our text messaging program, please review our Terms & Conditions.

Protected Health Information and HIPAA

TLC Dentistry is a health care provider and maintains policies and procedures designed to protect Protected Health Information in accordance with applicable law, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”).

Health information maintained as part of your dental record is governed by our Notice of Privacy Practices in addition to other applicable privacy laws.

Our Notice of Privacy Practices explains:

• How your health information may be used or disclosed
• Your rights regarding your health information
• Our responsibilities for protecting your information
• How you may exercise your HIPAA privacy rights

Electronic Communications

Standard email, standard website forms, and ordinary SMS messaging may not provide the same level of security as a dedicated secure patient communication system.

Please avoid sending highly sensitive information through ordinary email or SMS, including:

• Detailed medical histories
• Sensitive diagnoses
• Social Security numbers
• Financial account numbers
• Passwords
• Other highly confidential information

If sensitive health information needs to be exchanged, please contact our office so an appropriate communication method can be identified.

Sharing of Information

TLC Dentistry does not sell your personal information.

We may disclose personal information when reasonably necessary to:

• Provide services you request
• Operate our dental practice
• Provide communications or technology services
• Work with vendors acting on our behalf
• Process payments or insurance claims
• Protect our patients, employees, practice, or systems
• Comply with applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request
• Complete a permitted business transaction involving the practice

When a service provider performs functions involving Protected Health Information on our behalf and qualifies as a HIPAA Business Associate, appropriate contractual protections are required where applicable.

Cookies and Website Technologies

Our website may use cookies or similar technologies for:

• Website functionality
• Security
• Performance
• Analytics
• User experience
• Fraud or abuse prevention

These technologies may collect information such as:

• Browser type
• Device type
• IP address
• Pages visited
• Referring page
• General website activity

Information Security

We use reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, loss, or misuse.

However, no website, telecommunications service, email platform, or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Information Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to:

• Provide services
• Maintain appropriate patient and business records
• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
• Resolve disputes
• Protect our legal rights
• Fulfill the purposes for which the information was collected

Dental and clinical records may be subject to separate retention requirements.

Your Communication Choices

You may contact us to update your contact information or communication preferences.

To stop SMS messages, reply STOP to a message from TLC Dentistry.

Opting out of SMS does not prevent us from communicating with you through other appropriate methods where necessary.

You may also ask us to communicate with you through a reasonable alternative method consistent with applicable law.

Children’s Information

TLC Dentistry provides dental services to individuals and families.

Minors should not independently submit personal information through our website without the involvement of a parent or legal guardian when appropriate.

Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites.

TLC Dentistry is not responsible for the privacy, security, content, or practices of independently operated third-party websites.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in:

• Our services
• Technology
• Business practices
• Legal requirements
• Privacy or security practices

The effective date at the top of this page identifies when the policy was most recently updated.

Contact Us

Questions regarding this Privacy Policy may be directed to:

TLC Dentistry
Andrew K. Phan, DMD
6919 SE 82nd Ave, Suite 103
Portland, OR 97266

Phone: 503-774-3546
Email: tlcdentistry.or@gmail.com
Website: tlcdentistrypdx.com