Notice of Privacy Practices
How we handle your protected health information under HIPAA.
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
What This Notice Covers
This Notice of Privacy Practices (NPP) describes the legal duties and privacy practices of Delight Dental Group with respect to protected health information (PHI). PHI is any information that relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health; the provision of dental or health care to you; or payment for that care — and that identifies you, or could reasonably be used to identify you.
PHI includes dental records, treatment notes, X-rays, photographs, insurance information, billing records, appointment history, and any other identifiable health information we create or receive in the course of your care.
We are required by law to maintain the privacy of your PHI, to provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to PHI, and to abide by the terms of the notice currently in effect.
Difference Between This Notice and Our Website Privacy Policy
These are two separate and distinct documents that cover different types of information:
- This Notice of Privacy Practices governs protected health information (PHI) — your dental records, health history, treatment information, and insurance/billing records — handled within the dental practice under HIPAA. PHI is exempt from the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA) by statute (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.145(c)(1)).
- Our Website Privacy Policy governs personal information collected through our website — such as your name, email address, and browsing activity — which is not PHI and is regulated under California consumer privacy law.
If you have questions about your dental records or HIPAA rights, this document applies. If you have questions about website cookies or analytics data, the Privacy Policy applies.
How We May Use and Disclose Your Protected Health Information
Treatment
We may use and disclose your PHI to provide, coordinate, and manage your dental care and related services. For example, we may share your dental records with a specialist to whom we refer you, or with an oral surgeon performing a procedure we have recommended.
Payment
We may use and disclose your PHI to bill and collect payment for the dental services we provide. For example, we may submit your diagnosis and treatment codes to your dental insurance plan to obtain reimbursement for services rendered.
Healthcare Operations
We may use and disclose your PHI for our internal healthcare operations, including quality assessment and improvement activities, staff training and credentialing, business planning, and administrative functions necessary to run the practice.
Other Permitted Uses and Disclosures
We may use or disclose your PHI without your authorization in the following circumstances, as permitted or required by HIPAA:
- As required by federal, state, or local law.
- For public health activities (e.g., reporting communicable diseases to public health authorities).
- To report abuse, neglect, or domestic violence to appropriate authorities.
- For health oversight activities such as audits, inspections, and investigations by government agencies.
- In connection with judicial and administrative proceedings if required by a court order or subpoena.
- For law enforcement purposes, subject to specific legal requirements.
- To coroners, medical examiners, or funeral directors when necessary.
- For organ, eye, or tissue donation.
- For certain research studies, subject to special protections.
- To avert a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
- For workers' compensation and similar programs.
- For specialized government functions such as military and veterans' activities.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization
Other uses and disclosures of your PHI — including most uses for marketing, sale of PHI, and uses for purposes beyond treatment, payment, and healthcare operations — will be made only with your written authorization. You may revoke any authorization you have given us at any time, in writing, except to the extent that we have already relied on it.
Your Rights Regarding Your Protected Health Information
You have the following rights with respect to your PHI:
Right to Access and Inspect
You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your dental records and other PHI in our designated record set, with limited exceptions. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee for copies. You may also request that we transmit your records directly to another provider or entity you designate.
Right to Amend
If you believe that PHI we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may request that we amend it. We may deny your request under certain circumstances; if we do, we will explain the reason in writing.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your PHI for purposes other than treatment, payment, and healthcare operations, for the six years prior to your request.
Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request restrictions on how we use or disclose your PHI. We are not required to agree to your request, except that we must agree if you request that we not disclose PHI to your health plan for services you paid for entirely out of pocket.
Right to Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that we communicate with you through specific means or at a specific location (for example, by email rather than by phone, or at your work address rather than your home address). We will accommodate reasonable requests.
Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice
You have the right to receive a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically. To request a paper copy, contact us by phone, email, or in person at the office — see contact details below.
You may also download a PDF copy using the link below:
Download Notice of Privacy Practices (PDF)Right to File a Complaint
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint . We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Full Notice of Privacy Practices
The complete Notice of Privacy Practices for Delight Dental Group is displayed below. It contains the full legal text required by 45 C.F.R. § 164.520, including our effective date, the specific categories of disclosures permitted under HIPAA, and our contact information for submitting complaints and requests.
How to Request a Paper Copy
You may request a paper copy of this Notice at any time, at no charge, by:
- In person: Ask any front desk team member during your visit.
- By phone: (916) 790-8755
- By email: [email protected] with the subject line "Paper Copy of NPP"
- By mail: Delight Dental Group, Attn: Privacy Officer, 1625 Creekside Dr. Suite 100, Folsom, CA 95630
Changes to This Notice
We reserve the right to change this Notice at any time, and to make the revised Notice effective for PHI we already hold about you as well as any PHI we receive in the future. We will post any revised Notice prominently in our office and on this page. If we make a material change to our privacy practices, we will notify active patients as required by law.
Contact Us and How to File a Complaint
For questions about this Notice, to exercise your HIPAA rights, or to file a complaint about our privacy practices, contact our Privacy Officer:
Delight Dental Group — Privacy Officer
1625 Creekside Dr. Suite 100, Folsom, CA 95630
Phone: (916) 790-8755
Email: [email protected]
You may also submit a complaint directly to the federal government without fear of retaliation:
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — Office for Civil Rights
Online: hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint
Related Pages
- Privacy Policy — Covers personal information collected through this website under California consumer privacy law (CCPA/CPRA).
- Do Not Sell My Personal Information — Submit a CCPA/CPRA opt-out or privacy rights request online.