HIPPA

HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: July 2026

Your Privacy Matters

At Ascend Dental, protecting your personal health information is one of our highest priorities. This Notice of Privacy Practices explains how we may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI), your rights regarding that information, and our legal responsibilities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

By providing dental care to you, we are committed to safeguarding your privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of your health information.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

We may use and disclose your protected health information without your written authorization for the following purposes:

Treatment

We use your health information to provide, coordinate, and manage your dental care. This may include communicating with specialists, laboratories, pharmacies, physicians, or other healthcare providers involved in your treatment.

Payment

We may use and disclose your information to bill and receive payment from you, your insurance company, or another responsible party for services provided.

Healthcare Operations

We may use your information to improve the quality of care we provide. This includes activities such as:

Quality assessment and improvement
Staff training and education
Licensing and accreditation
Business management
Appointment scheduling
Customer service
Internal audits and compliance activities

Appointment Reminders and Communications

We may contact you regarding:

Upcoming appointments
Treatment recommendations
Follow-up care
Billing matters
Preventive care reminders

We may communicate with you by phone, voicemail, email, text message, or mail using the contact information you provide. While we take reasonable precautions to protect your privacy, electronic communications may involve some level of security risk.

You may request alternative methods of communication at any time.

Individuals Involved in Your Care

Unless you object, we may share relevant health information with a family member, caregiver, or another person involved in your care or payment for your care when appropriate.

Uses Required or Permitted by Law

We may disclose your health information when required or permitted by law, including for:

Public health reporting
Health oversight activities
Judicial or administrative proceedings
Law enforcement purposes
Workers' compensation claims
Reporting abuse, neglect, or domestic violence when required
National security or military purposes when authorized by law

Uses Requiring Your Written Authorization

Any use or disclosure of your health information not described in this Notice generally requires your written authorization.

You may revoke your authorization at any time in writing, except to the extent that we have already relied upon it.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

You have the right to:

Access Your Records

Request to inspect or receive a copy of your dental and billing records, subject to applicable legal exceptions.

Request Corrections

Request that we amend your health information if you believe it is inaccurate or incomplete.

Request Confidential Communications

Ask us to communicate with you in a specific way or at a specific location.

Request Restrictions

Request limitations on certain uses or disclosures of your information. While we are not required to agree to every request, we will comply when required by law.

Receive an Accounting of Disclosures

Request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your protected health information.

Receive a Copy of This Notice

You may request a paper or electronic copy of this Notice at any time, even if you previously agreed to receive it electronically.

Our Responsibilities

We are required by law to:

Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
Provide you with this Notice of our legal duties and privacy practices.
Notify you following a breach of unsecured protected health information when required by law.
Follow the terms of this Notice currently in effect.

We reserve the right to revise this Notice at any time. Any revised Notice will apply to all protected health information we maintain and will be posted in our office and on our website.

Website Privacy

Our website may collect limited technical information such as browser type, device information, pages visited, and website usage statistics to improve website performance.

If you submit information through online forms, appointment requests, or patient portals, we use reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect your information.

Please note that standard email is generally not considered a fully secure method of transmitting health information. If you choose to communicate with us by email, you acknowledge the potential privacy risks associated with electronic communication.

Third-Party Services

Our website may use trusted third-party service providers for website hosting, analytics, appointment scheduling, payment processing, patient communications, or other business functions. These providers are required, when applicable, to protect your information in accordance with applicable privacy laws and Business Associate Agreements.

Questions or Complaints

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Filing a complaint will not affect your care or treatment.

Privacy Officer

Phone: +1 (253) 864-0310

Email: info@ascenddentalpuyallup.com

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.

Contact Us

If you have questions regarding this Notice of Privacy Practices or our privacy policies, please contact us.

Ascend Dental