LifeWorks Dental (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our patients’ personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or interact with us in any way.
By accessing our services or providing us with your information, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy. This policy applies to all information collected through our website, in-person at our dental office, over the phone, or through any correspondence with our staff.
Information We Collect
To provide you with the best dental care possible, we collect various types of information, including:
Personal Information
- Full name, date of birth, and contact information (address, email, phone number)
- Insurance information and policy details
- Emergency contact information
- Demographic information (age, gender, etc.)
Health Information
- Medical and dental history
- Current health status and medications
- Treatment records, including diagnoses, treatment plans, and outcomes
- X-rays, clinical photographs, and other diagnostic images
- Laboratory results
Financial Information
- Payment information (credit card details, check information)
- Billing records and transaction history
- Insurance claims and related documentation
HIPAA Compliance
As a healthcare provider, we are required by law to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA establishes standards for the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information.
In compliance with HIPAA, we:
- Maintain appropriate physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect your information
- Limit access to your personal and health information to authorized personnel only
- Provide you with a Notice of Privacy Practices detailing how we may use and disclose your protected health information
- Obtain your authorization before using or disclosing your information for purposes other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations
- Maintain and protect the privacy of your health information in all formats, including electronic, paper, and oral communications
For a complete copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices, please ask our front desk staff or contact our Privacy Officer.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
Treatment
- To provide, coordinate, and manage your dental care
- To communicate with other healthcare providers involved in your treatment
- To schedule and remind you of appointments
- To recommend treatment options and alternatives
Payment
- To verify insurance coverage and benefits
- To process claims with your insurance company
- To bill and collect payment for services provided
- To determine eligibility for financial assistance programs
Healthcare Operations
- To improve the quality of care we provide
- To train our staff and dental professionals
- To conduct quality assessment and improvement activities
- To perform business management and administrative activities
Communication
- To send appointment reminders and follow-up care instructions
- To provide information about treatment alternatives or other health-related benefits and services
- To respond to your inquiries and requests
- To send periodic emails, newsletters, or other communications (with your consent)
Information Sharing and Disclosure
We may share your information in the following circumstances:
With Your Consent
We will obtain your written authorization before sharing your information for any purpose not described in this Privacy Policy or our Notice of Privacy Practices.
Treatment Purposes
We may share your information with other healthcare providers who are involved in your care, such as specialists, laboratories, pharmacies, or other treatment facilities.
Payment Purposes
We may disclose your information to insurance companies, third-party payers, or collection agencies to obtain payment for services provided.
Healthcare Operations
We may share your information with business associates who perform services on our behalf, such as billing services, software vendors, or consultants. These business associates are required to safeguard your information in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
Legal Requirements
We may disclose your information when required by law, such as in response to a court order, subpoena, or other legal process, or to comply with mandatory reporting requirements for public health concerns, abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose your information to health oversight agencies for activities authorized by law, such as audits, investigations, and inspections.
Public Health and Safety
We may disclose your information to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of others.
Your Rights as a Patient
Under HIPAA, you have certain rights regarding your health information, including:
Right to Access
You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your health information, with limited exceptions. To access your records, please submit a written request to our Privacy Officer. We may charge a reasonable fee for copying and mailing records.
Right to Amend
You have the right to request that we amend your health information if you believe it is incorrect or incomplete. Your request must be in writing and must explain why the information should be amended.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures
You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your health information for purposes other than treatment, payment, healthcare operations, and certain other activities.
Right to Request Restrictions
You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the health information we use or disclose about you for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. We are not required to agree to your request unless it pertains to a service for which you have paid in full out-of-pocket.
Right to Request Confidential Communications
You have the right to request that we communicate with you about health matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you can ask that we only contact you at work or by mail.
Right to Receive Notice of a Breach
You have the right to be notified if we discover a breach of your unsecured protected health information.
Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice
You have the right to receive a paper copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically.
Website Information Collection
When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and your interaction with our website. This may include:
- IP address and browser type
- Pages you view and time spent on those pages
- Referring website or search terms
- Operating system and device information
We also collect information that you voluntarily provide to us through online forms, appointment requests, contact forms, or other interactions with our website.
Cookies and Tracking
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze website traffic. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us recognize your browser and remember certain information.
We use the following types of cookies:
- Essential cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly.
- Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously.
- Functionality cookies: Allow the website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced features.
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of our website.
Security Measures
We implement appropriate technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. Our security measures include:
- Encryption of electronic health information
- Secure, password-protected electronic health record systems
- Limited access to physical records, secured in locked cabinets and rooms
- Training of staff on privacy and security procedures
- Regular risk assessments and security updates
While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information.
Children’s Privacy
Our website is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so that we can delete the information.
For pediatric dental patients, we collect and use health information with the consent of a parent or legal guardian in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Changes to Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will post the revised policy on our website with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
If we make material changes to this Privacy Policy, we will notify you through a notice on our website or by other appropriate means.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about our Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact our Privacy Officer:
LifeWorks Dental
7951 Katy Fwy, Suite I
Houston, TX 77024
Phone: (713) 956-5433
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Last Updated: May 13, 2025