Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
Rideau Lakes Dental is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients and website visitors.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information through our website and dental practice.
We handle personal health information in accordance with Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA), where applicable, and other applicable legal and professional requirements.
2. Information We Collect
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:
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Contact information: Name, telephone number, email address, and other details you provide.
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Website inquiries: Information submitted through contact or appointment request forms.
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Technical information: Information such as IP address, browser type, device information, and website usage data, where collected.
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Patient health information: Medical and dental histories, clinical notes, dental images, treatment records, appointment details, and billing or insurance information necessary for your care.
Please avoid submitting sensitive medical or financial information through general website forms unless the form is specifically designed for that purpose.
3. How We Use Information
We may use personal information to:
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Respond to inquiries and appointment requests.
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Provide and coordinate dental care.
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Maintain patient, clinical, and financial records.
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Process payments and insurance claims.
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Communicate with patients about appointments and treatment.
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Operate, secure, and improve our website.
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Meet applicable legal, regulatory, and professional obligations.
We collect, use, and disclose information only for appropriate purposes permitted or required by law. Where consent is required, we will obtain it in accordance with applicable requirements.
4. Personal Health Information and Disclosure
We treat patient health information as confidential and restrict access to authorized individuals who require it for their responsibilities.
Where appropriate and permitted by law, information may be shared with health care providers, dental laboratories, insurers, and service providers involved in your care or the operation of our practice.
We may also disclose information where authorized or required by law. Personal health information is handled in accordance with PHIPA and applicable professional obligations.
5. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, security, performance, and analytics.
These technologies may collect technical information about how visitors use the website. The specific technologies used depend on the services enabled on our website.
You can manage cookies through your browser settings, although disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality. Where required, we will provide appropriate consent and preference controls for non-essential tracking technologies.
6. Third-Party Services and External Links
Our website may use third-party services for hosting, appointment management, analytics, communications, or other operational purposes.
Third-party providers may process information as necessary to provide their services. Where appropriate, we take steps to address confidentiality and security requirements.
External websites have their own privacy policies, which we encourage you to review. Information processed or stored outside Ontario or Canada will be handled in accordance with applicable legal requirements and our actual service arrangements.
7. Retention of Information
We retain personal information only as long as necessary for its purpose and in accordance with applicable legal, regulatory, and professional requirements.
Website inquiries and technical information may have different retention periods from patient records. Dental records are retained in accordance with applicable Ontario dental recordkeeping requirements, including minimum retention periods.
Information that is no longer required and may lawfully be disposed of is handled securely. Requests for deletion do not override legal or professional record-retention obligations.
8. Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, loss, or theft.
Access to patient information is restricted to authorized individuals as appropriate to their responsibilities. Although we take reasonable precautions, no method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
We respond to privacy breaches in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
9. Your Privacy Rights
Subject to applicable legal exceptions, you may request access to your personal health information, ask for corrections to records, and raise concerns about how your information is handled.
Requests may require identity verification and will be handled in accordance with applicable law.
To ask questions about your privacy rights or make a request concerning your dental records, please contact our office through the contact details provided on our website.
10. Privacy Concerns and Complaints
If you have concerns about our privacy practices, we encourage you to contact our office so that we can review the matter.
You may also contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) regarding your rights under PHIPA.
Website: https://www.ipc.on.ca/
11. Children's and Minors' Information
We handle personal health information concerning children and minors in accordance with applicable privacy laws, including requirements relating to consent, decision-making authority, confidentiality, and access to records.
A parent or guardian's access to a minor's health information depends on the circumstances and applicable law.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, website technologies, or applicable requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised date.
Where required by law, we will take additional steps to notify affected individuals or obtain consent.