Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Rise Dental (“Rise Dental”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) collects, uses, shares, and safeguards your information when you:

• Visit our website risesmiles.com;
• Use our patient portal, web apps, or mobile applications;
• Interact with in-office digital services;
• Communicate with us via email, phone, or SMS/text messaging.

By using our Services, you consent to the practices described here. If you do not agree, please do not provide personal information or use the Services.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information in various ways:

• Personal Identifiers: Name, address, email address, phone number—used for appointment scheduling, billing, and communications.
• Health Information (PHI): Medical and dental history, treatment notes, imaging results—used for care coordination under HIPAA.
• Financial Data: Insurance details, payment method tokens—used to process claims and payments.
• Usage Data: IP address, browser type, portal interactions—used for analytics and improving our Services.
• Communications: Emails, call recordings, SMS logs—used for customer service, compliance, and documentation.

2. How We Use Your Information

• Provide and manage your dental care and related digital services.
• Process insurance claims and payments.
• Send transactional messages: appointment confirmations, reminders, billing notices.
• Deliver educational content and limited promotions (only with your consent).
• Perform analytics to improve our website and patient experience.
• Detect, prevent, and address fraud or security issues.
• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations (HIPAA, state laws).

3. HIPAA Notice Summary

As a covered entity under HIPAA, we handle Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Key points:

• Patient Rights: You have the right to access, correct, and receive an accounting of disclosures of your PHI. You may request restriction of certain uses and disclosures. You may file a privacy complaint.
• Use & Disclosure of PHI: We use PHI for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations. Disclosures to Business Associates (e.g., Dental Intelligence) occur under signed Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) to protect PHI.
• Business Associates: We have BAAs in place with service providers (including Dental Intelligence) that handle PHI on our behalf, ensuring they follow HIPAA safeguards.
• Full Notice: For the complete Notice of Privacy Practices, view our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices or request a copy in-office.

4. Sharing & Disclosure

No Sharing Without Explicit Statement: We do not share or transfer your personal or health data to other organizations for their independent use unless we have explicitly stated so and obtained your consent.

• The specific data to be shared;
• The organization or recipient;
• The purpose of the sharing;
• How you can approve or decline that sharing.

Service Providers: We share data with vendors who perform functions on our behalf (cloud hosting, patient portal, engagement platforms) under confidentiality obligations and BAAs for PHI. They use data only as instructed and may not use it for other purposes.

Insurance & Payment Processors: To fulfill billing and claim processing you authorize.

Legal Compliance & Safety: When required by law (e.g., court orders) or to protect health and safety.

With Your Consent: For referrals to specialists or wellness partners you choose; in such cases we will explicitly state who will receive your data and for what purpose.

5. Data Security & Retention

We implement industry-standard safeguards (encryption in transit and at rest, access controls, secure backups) to protect your data. However, no system is 100% secure.

We retain records per HIPAA and Texas state requirements (typically at least 7 years from last service). After retention periods, data is securely deleted or de-identified.

6. Cookies & Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies:

• Essential Cookies: Required for site operation (e.g., sessions).
• Analytics Cookies: Collect anonymized data to understand usage patterns.
• Marketing Cookies: Used for personalized content or advertising, only with consent.

To manage preferences, adjust your browser settings or visit our Cookie Policy.

7. Your Rights & Choices

• Access & Correction: You can request a copy of your data or update inaccuracies.
• Delete or Restrict: You may request deletion or restriction of data where legally permissible.
• Portability: You may obtain a copy of your dental records in a portable format.
• Opt-Out of Communications & Marketing: You have the right to opt out of future communications or marketing campaigns:
  • For SMS/text messaging campaigns: follow the opt-out instructions in our Terms of Service (e.g., text STOP to cancel);
  • For email marketing: use the “unsubscribe” link in promotional emails or contact us at info@risesmiles.com to opt out;
  • For other communications: contact us at info@risesmiles.com or call (512) 325-9889 to specify your preferences.

To exercise these rights, email info@risesmiles.com or call (512) 325-9889. We will verify your identity before fulfilling requests.

8. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13 without parental consent. Parents or guardians may contact us to review or delete a child’s data.

9. International Transfers

Our practice and servers are in the United States. If you access our Services from outside the U.S., you consent to transfer and processing of your data in the U.S.

10. State & Licensing Disclosures

Rise Dental is a licensed dental practice in Texas. Our providers hold valid licenses with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. For verification or questions, contact us or visit the Texas State Board website.

11. Telehealth & SMS

If we offer telehealth services, such visits are subject to applicable state regulations and not a substitute for in-person care when necessary. SMS/text messaging details (opt-in, opt-out, data rates) are described in our Terms of Service. Do not use SMS for emergencies.

12. SMS Messaging & 10DLC Compliance

When you opt in to receive SMS/text messages from Rise Dental, we collect and securely store your phone number and your consent to receive these messages.

We use this information solely to send you relevant SMS communications, such as appointment reminders, health updates, and limited promotional content (if you’ve opted in).

Opt-Out: You may opt out at any time by replying “STOP” to any SMS we send. You may also contact us directly to be removed from future text communications.

Data Sharing: We do not share your phone number or SMS consent with third parties for marketing purposes.

Security: We implement reasonable safeguards to protect SMS-related data from unauthorized access or disclosure.

Message and data rates may apply. Do not use SMS for emergency communication. For questions about your SMS data, contact us at info@risesmiles.com.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Material changes will be posted here with a new “Last updated” date. Continued use of Services after changes constitutes acceptance.

14. Contact Information

For privacy or HIPAA inquiries:
Email: info@risesmiles.com
Phone: (512) 325-9889
Office Address: 1651 S. Bell Blvd. Suite #301, Cedar Park, TX 78613