Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 05, 2026
Last Updated: September 02,2026

DentalWorld understands that the privacy and security of your personal and health information is extremely important. We are committed to protecting your information and maintaining its confidentiality. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how it is used, how it is protected, and your rights regarding that information when you visit our website, contact us, or communicate with us, including by phone or SMS/text messaging.

This policy applies to our website visitors, prospective patients, current patients, and former patients.

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Information We Collect

Website Usage Information

When you visit our website, certain technical and usage data may be automatically collected.

Cookies
Cookies are small text files placed on your computer (if accepted by your browser) that allow us to recognize returning visitors and understand which pages are viewed.

Transparent GIFs (Web Beacons)
Transparent GIFs are invisible images that help determine how visitors navigate our website, such as which links were used to reach a page.

Log Files
Our servers automatically record information such as your IP address, browser type, internet service provider, date and time of access, and pages visited. This information helps us analyze website usage and improve performance.

Information collected through cookies, web beacons, and log files is used internally to design, operate, and maintain our website and is not sold or shared for marketing purposes.

Information You Provide

If you submit information through forms, request an appointment, or contact our office, we may collect:

Name
Address
Phone number
Email address
Appointment request details
Insurance information you voluntarily provide
Messages or questions you send to us

We use this information to contact you, schedule appointments, provide services, respond to inquiries, and deliver patient support.

Protected Health Information (HIPAA Notice)

DentalWorld is a healthcare provider and is committed to protecting your Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Protected Health Information includes information that identifies you and relates to your past, present, or future physical or dental condition, treatment, or payment for healthcare services.

We use and disclose PHI only as permitted or required for:

Treatment (providing dental care and communicating with you)
Payment (insurance claims and billing)
Healthcare operations (appointment scheduling, quality improvement, and administrative functions)

We implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards designed to protect PHI from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

Electronic communications such as email or SMS are used only for limited healthcare communications (for example, appointment reminders or care coordination). While we take reasonable precautions, these communication
methods may not be completely secure.

You have the right to:

Request access to your health records
Request corrections to inaccurate records
Request restrictions on certain disclosures
Request confidential communications
Request an accounting of disclosures when required by law

Requests may be made by contacting our office directly.

SMS/Text Messaging Communications

If you provide your mobile phone number and consent to receive text messages from DentalWorld, you agree to receive SMS messages related to:

Appointment reminders and confirmations
Scheduling and rescheduling updates
Customer care communications
Responses to your inquiries
Service-related notifications

SMS Consent Disclosure: If you consent to receive SMS from DentalWorld, you agree to receive customer care, appointment reminders, and service-related SMS messages from us. Reply STOP to unsubscribe; reply HELP for assistance. Message and data rates may apply. Messaging frequency may vary.

You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message. For assistance, reply HELP or contact our office directly at (704) 636-7240.

How We Obtain SMS Consent

This section describes exactly how consent is collected.

Patients provide express written consent to receive text messages from DentalWorld by checking an opt-in box on one of the following forms, completed in person at our office located at 1030 Freeland Drive, Suite #104, Salisbury, NC 28144:

New Patient Intake Form — completed at a patient's first visit
Patient Information Update Form — completed when a patient updates their contact details

The opt-in checkbox is unchecked by default. A patient must actively check the box and sign the form to give consent.

The form states:

☐ I agree to receive text messages from DentalWorld at the mobile number provided, including appointment reminders, confirmations, and scheduling updates. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of treatment.

Consent to receive text messages is entirely optional and is not a condition of receiving dental treatment or any other service. Patients who decline are contacted by telephone instead.

We obtain mobile phone numbers only directly from the patient. We do not purchase, rent, or otherwise obtain phone numbers from third parties, marketing lists, data brokers, or any external source. Only existing and prospective
patients of our practice who have completed one of the forms above receive text messages from us.

Consent records are retained with the patient's file for the period required by applicable healthcare and telecommunications regulations.

SMS Consent Protection

No mobile opt-in message consent will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.

Your phone number and messaging consent are used only to communicate with you regarding your care, appointments, or requests. Mobile opt-in information is not sold, rented, or shared with any third party for any purpose.

Contact Forms and Consent

When submitting a form on our website, providing a phone number is voluntary. Submitting a form indicates you authorize DentalWorld to contact you regarding your request using the contact information you provided.

Website form submissions do **not** enroll you in our text messaging program. Enrollment in SMS messaging occurs only through the written consent process described in "How We Obtain SMS Consent" above.

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

Schedule and confirm appointments
Provide dental services
Respond to questions
Provide patient support
Communicate about treatment or follow-up care
Improve website functionality and patient experience
Meet legal and regulatory obligations

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

Sharing of Information

We may share information only when necessary to operate our practice and provide care, including:

Insurance companies for claims processing
Dental laboratories
Service providers assisting with scheduling, communication, or record systems
Legal authorities when required by law

All service providers are required to maintain appropriate confidentiality and security safeguards.

Mobile phone numbers and SMS consent are never shared with third parties for marketing purposes.

Information Security

We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with applicable legal and regulatory standards to protect your information. Access to personal information is limited to trained staff members who require the information to perform their job duties.

Although we use reasonable protections, no internet transmission or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Data Retention

We retain patient and communication records for the period required by healthcare regulations, insurance requirements, and applicable laws. When records are no longer required, they are securely disposed of or deleted.

Children’s Privacy

Our website is not intended to collect personal information from children without parental or guardian involvement. Any information submitted for a minor must be provided by a parent or legal guardian. Consent for text messaging regarding a minor patient must be given by a parent or legal guardian.

Policy Updates

Because privacy is important, Dentalworld will continue working to protect your information. This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect operational, legal, or regulatory changes. The updated effective date will appear at the top of this page.

Contact Us

Questions about this Privacy Policy, or requests regarding your information:

DentalWorld
1030 Freeland Drive, Suite #104, Salisbury, NC 28144
Phone: (704) 636-7240
Email: info@mydentalworlds.com