Privacy Policy

Effective Date: December 10, 2025

Clear Smiles Orthodontics
1273 Las Flores Dr.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 434-2794
Website: https://clearsmilesortho.com/
Email: contact@clearsmilesortho.com

1. Purpose of This Policy

At Clear Smiles Orthodontics, protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients and website visitors is a core priority. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you interact with our website or communicate with our office. We comply with applicable privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

2. HIPAA & Protected Health Information (PHI)

If you are a patient, any medical or dental information shared with our office in the course of treatment is considered Protected Health Information (PHI) under HIPAA. We use or disclose PHI only for legitimate healthcare purposes such as treatment, billing, practice operations, or when required by law.

Important: Our website and its contact forms are intended for general inquiries and appointment scheduling. Do not submit detailed medical or dental information online unless through a secure, HIPAA-compliant form or patient portal provided by our office.

3. Information We Collect Online

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect non-personal data, including:

  • IP address and general location
  • Browser type and version
  • Device type (desktop, mobile, tablet)
  • Internet Service Provider (ISP)
  • Date and time of access
  • Pages viewed and actions taken
  • Referral URLs

This information helps us improve website performance, user experience, and marketing effectiveness. It is not linked to patient records or PHI.

If you contact us through an online form, we may collect the information you provide (for example, your name, phone number, email address, and message).

4. Cookies and Analytics

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience and analyze site performance. Tools such as Google Analytics and Meta (Facebook) Pixel may be used to understand visitor behavior and improve our services. You may adjust cookie settings in your browser. Disabling cookies may impact some website functionality.

5. Use and Disclosure of Information

We may use collected information to:

  • Respond to appointment requests or inquiries
  • Improve website functionality, security, and performance
  • Analyze trends and measure marketing effectiveness
  • Comply with healthcare and privacy regulations

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information. Limited data may be shared with trusted service providers (such as hosting, analytics, and marketing platforms) solely for operational purposes under confidentiality requirements.

6. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verified parental consent. Any information related to minors in a treatment setting is protected under HIPAA and handled with appropriate authorization. If you believe a child submitted information online without consent, contact us and we will promptly remove it.

7. California Consumer Privacy Rights (CCPA)

For California residents, you have the right to request the following regarding your personal information (non-PHI):

  • Right to Know: The categories and specific pieces of personal information collected.
  • Right to Delete: Request deletion of personal information, subject to legal and medical recordkeeping requirements.
  • Right to Opt-Out: Request that we do not sell or share your personal information. We do not sell personal information.
  • Right to Non-Discrimination: Exercising your rights will not impact your care or service quality.

To exercise these rights, contact us using the information in the Contact Us section below. Verification may be required.

8. Data Retention

We retain patient and contact information only as long as necessary to provide services, comply with medical recordkeeping requirements, and fulfill legal obligations. Non-identifiable analytics data may be retained for trend analysis.

9. Do Not Track

Our website does not respond to “Do Not Track” (DNT) signals. You may manage tracking preferences via your browser’s cookie settings.

10. Security

We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information against unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. While we maintain robust security controls, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure.

11. Third-Party Links

Our website may include links to external websites or platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites. Please review their privacy policies before submitting personal information.

12. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as laws, technology, or office practices evolve. The Effective Date above reflects the most recent version. Continued use of our website indicates acceptance of any updates.

13. Contact Us

Clear Smiles Orthodontics
1273 Las Flores Dr.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 434-2794
Email: contact@clearsmilesortho.com