Notice of Privacy Practices

This notice describes how health information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

Smile Boutique Implant Center is required by law to protect the privacy of your health information, to give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, to follow the terms of the notice currently in effect, and to notify you if a breach affects your unsecured health information.

How We Use and Share Your Health Information

Treatment. We use your information to provide your care and share it with other professionals involved in that care, such as a referring dentist, a specialist, a surgeon, your physician, or a dental laboratory fabricating your restorations.

Payment. We use and share your information to bill and receive payment from you, your insurance plan, or a financing company you choose.

Health care operations. We use your information to run our practice and improve your care, including quality review, staff training, scheduling, and appointment reminders by phone, text, or email.

Business associates. Some services are provided by outside companies, such as software, communication, and billing vendors. They are required by contract to protect your information.

Other Uses Permitted or Required by Law

We may also use or share your information, within the limits of the law, to:

• Comply with federal, state, or local law
• Support public health and safety, such as reporting suspected abuse or neglect, or preventing a serious threat to someone's health or safety
• Respond to health oversight agencies, including the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners
• Respond to a court order, subpoena, or other lawful process
• Assist law enforcement, medical examiners, or funeral directors as the law allows
• Address workers' compensation claims
• Respond to specialized government functions, such as military or national security requests
• Share information with a family member or friend involved in your care or payment, unless you tell us not to

Uses That Require Your Written Permission

We will not sell your health information, use it for marketing, or use your photographs in our gallery, website, or social media without your written authorization. Any other use not described in this notice also requires your written permission. You may revoke an authorization in writing at any time, except where we have already acted on it.

Your Rights

• Access. You may see or receive a copy of your dental record, in paper or electronic form. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
• Amendment. You may ask us to correct information you believe is inaccurate or incomplete. We will respond in writing.
• Confidential communications. You may ask us to contact you in a specific way or at a specific address.
• Restrictions. You may ask us to limit how we use or share your information. If you pay for a service in full yourself, you may ask us not to share it with your health plan, and we will honor that request.
• Accounting of disclosures. You may request a list of certain disclosures we have made.
• Paper copy. You may request a paper copy of this notice at any time.
• Personal representative. If someone holds your medical power of attorney or is your legal guardian, that person may exercise your rights.

Texas Law

Texas law provides additional protection for health information, including limits on electronic disclosure. Where Texas law is more protective than federal law, we follow Texas law.

If a Breach Occurs

If your unsecured health information is involved in a breach, we will notify you without unreasonable delay, and no later than 60 days after we discover it, as required by law.

Questions and Complaints

If you have questions, wish to exercise your rights, or believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact our Privacy Officer at (512) 458-5205 or at the address below. You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, at hhs.gov/ocr/complaints or 1-800-368-1019. We will never retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Changes to This Notice

We may change this notice, and the new notice will apply to all information we hold. The current version is always available on this page and in our office.

Contact Us

Privacy Officer
Smile Boutique Implant Center
7800 N. Mopac Expy, Suite 260
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 458-5205