Practice Name: Ocean Dentistry Co.
Address: 240 Monmouth Road, Oakhurst, NJ 07755
Phone: (732) 531-3773

This Notice describes how medical and dental information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

At Ocean Dentistry Co., we respect your privacy. We are required by law to protect the privacy and security of your protected health information, also called PHI.

PHI includes information that can identify you and relates to your past, present, or future health, dental care, treatment, payment, or health care operations.

When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights.

Get a Copy of Your Dental Records

You can ask to see or get a copy of your dental records and other health information we have about you.

We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within the time required by law. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.

Ask Us to Correct Your Records

You can ask us to correct health information about you that you believe is incorrect or incomplete.

We may say no to your request, but we will tell you why in writing.

Request Confidential Communication

You can ask us to contact you in a specific way.

For example, you can ask us to call your cell phone instead of your home phone, or to send mail to a different address.

We will say yes to reasonable requests.

You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or health care operations.

We are not always required to agree to your request. If agreeing would affect your care, we may say no.

If you pay for a service or health care item fully out of pocket, you can ask us not to share that information with your health insurance plan for payment or operations. We will agree unless a law requires us to share it.

Get a List of Those We Have Shared Information With

You can ask for a list, also called an accounting, of the times we have shared your health information.

This list may include who we shared it with and why.

Some disclosures may not be included, such as those made for treatment, payment, health care operations, or disclosures you authorized.

Get a Copy of This Notice

You can ask for a paper copy of this Notice at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.

We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.

Choose Someone to Act for You

If you have given someone medical power of attorney, or if someone is your legal guardian, that person may exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.

We will make reasonable efforts to confirm that the person has this authority before taking action.

File a Complaint

You can file a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.

You may contact Ocean Dentistry Co. using the contact information listed at the top of this Notice.

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.

We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Your Choices

For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share.

Family, Friends, and Others Involved in Your Care

You have the right to tell us whether we may share information with your family, close friends, caregivers, or others involved in your care.

If you are unable to tell us your preference, we may share information if we believe it is in your best interest.

Appointment Reminders and Care Communications

We may contact you about appointments, treatment follow-ups, dental care instructions, billing, insurance, or other practice-related matters.

This may include phone calls, voicemail, text messages, emails, or mail, depending on the contact information you provide and the communication preferences you choose.

Marketing Communications

We will not use or share your health information for marketing purposes without your written permission when HIPAA requires your authorization.

Sale of Health Information

We will not sell your health information.

We typically use or share your health information in the following ways.

Treatment

We may use your health information to provide dental care to you.

We may also share it with other health professionals who are treating you.

Example: We may share dental X-rays or treatment notes with a specialist if you are referred for additional care.

Payment

We may use and share your health information to bill and receive payment from health plans or other responsible parties.

Example: We may send information about your dental treatment to your insurance company so they can process a claim.

Health Care Operations

We may use and share your health information to run our practice, improve care, train staff, and manage business activities.

Example: We may use information in your record to review the quality of care we provide.

Business Associates

We may share your health information with outside companies or individuals who help us run our practice.

These may include billing services, dental software providers, IT support, payment processors, call tracking vendors, appointment systems, or secure communication tools.

When required, we have agreements in place that require these parties to protect your information.

Appointment Reminders and Treatment Alternatives

We may use and share your information to remind you of appointments or tell you about treatment options that may help you.

Required by Law

We will share information about you when federal, state, or local law requires it.

Public Health and Safety

We may share your health information for certain public health and safety reasons.

This may include preventing disease, reporting adverse events, reporting suspected abuse or neglect, or preventing a serious threat to someone’s health or safety.

Health Oversight Activities

We may share health information with agencies that oversee the health care system.

This may include audits, investigations, inspections, licensing, or disciplinary actions.

Lawsuits and Legal Actions

We may share health information in response to a court order, subpoena, discovery request, or other lawful process.

Law Enforcement

We may share health information for certain law enforcement purposes when allowed or required by law.

Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Directors

We may share health information with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when needed.

Workers’ Compensation

We may use or share health information for workers’ compensation claims or similar programs.

Research

We may use or share your information for health research only when allowed by law and with required privacy protections.

Organ and Tissue Donation

We may share health information with organ procurement organizations if applicable.

Military, National Security, and Protective Services

We may share health information for special government functions, such as military, national security, or protective services, when allowed by law.

Our Responsibilities

We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.

We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this Notice.

We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.

We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing.

If you give us written permission, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.

Changes to This Notice

We may change the terms of this Notice.

Any changes will apply to the information we already have about you, as well as any information we receive in the future.

The updated Notice will be available in our office and on our website, if posted there.

Questions or Complaints

If you have questions about this Notice or want to file a privacy complaint, please contact:

Ocean Dentistry Co.
240 Monmouth Road
Oakhurst, NJ 07755
Phone: (732) 531-3773
Email: info@oceandentistryco.com