Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective: February 16, 2026 | Smiles Management Company
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.
We are required by law to maintain the privacy of protected health information, to provide individuals with notice of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to protected health information, and to notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured protected health information. We must follow the privacy practices that are described in this Notice while it is in effect. This Notice takes effect February 16, 2026 and will remain in effect until we replace it.
We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time, provided such changes are permitted by applicable law, and to make new Notice provisions effective for all protected health information that we maintain. When we make a significant change in our privacy practices, we will change this Notice and post the new Notice clearly and prominently at our practice location, and we will provide copies of the new Notice upon request.
You may request a copy of our Notice at any time. For more information about our privacy practices, or for additional copies of this Notice, please contact us using the information listed at the end of this Notice.
How We May Use and Disclose Health Information About You
We may use and disclose your health information for different purposes, including treatment, payment, and health care operations. For each of these categories, we have provided a description and an example. Some information, such as HIV-related information, genetic information, alcohol and/or substance use disorder treatment records, and mental health records may be entitled to special confidentiality protections under applicable state or federal law. We will abide by these special protections as they pertain to applicable cases involving these types of records.
Treatment. We may use and disclose your health information for your treatment. For example, we may disclose your health information to a specialist providing treatment to you.
Payment. We may use and disclose your health information to obtain reimbursement for the treatment and services you receive. For example, we may send claims to your dental health plan containing certain health information.
Healthcare Operations. We may use and disclose your health information in connection with healthcare operations such as quality improvement, training, and licensing activities.
Individuals Involved in Your Care or Payment for Your Care. We may disclose your health information to family or others involved in your care or payment.
Disaster Relief. We may use or disclose your health information to assist in disaster relief efforts.
Required by Law. We may use or disclose your health information when required by law.
Public Health Activities. We may disclose health information for public health purposes including disease control, abuse reporting, recalls, and exposure notifications.
SUD Treatment Information. We may use and disclose substance use disorder treatment information only as permitted by applicable law and consent requirements.
Other Uses and Disclosures of PHI
Your authorization is required for uses such as marketing, sale of PHI, or psychotherapy notes. You may revoke authorization at any time.
Your Health Information Rights
You have the right to:
Questions and Complaints
If you have questions or believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact us or file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.
Privacy Officer Contact Information
Location
Texas, USA