Kettle Valley Family Dental aligns with common privacy standards for dental practices in British Columbia, including compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and other regulations and is the following:
Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
At Kettle Valley Family Dental, we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of our patients’ personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) of British Columbia and other applicable laws.
2. Information We Collect
We collect personal information necessary to provide you with dental care services, including but not limited to:
- Personal Identifiers: Name, date of birth, address, phone number, email, and emergency contact details.
- Medical & Dental Records: Health history, dental history, prescriptions, diagnostic images (X-rays), and treatment plans.
- Billing & Insurance Information: Payment details, dental insurance information, and government-issued identification if required.
3. How We Use Your Information
Your personal information is collected for the following purposes:
- Providing dental care and treatment tailored to your needs.
- Communicating with you regarding appointments, treatment plans, and follow-ups.
- Billing and processing insurance claims with your provider.
- Maintaining accurate medical and dental records for safe and effective care.
- Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements set by the College of Dental Surgeons of BC and other authorities.
- Internal administrative purposes, including quality assurance and staff training.
4. How We Protect Your Information
We take reasonable precautions to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure by:
- Storing records securely in electronic and/or physical formats.
- Implementing encryption, password protection, and restricted access for electronic records.
- Training staff on confidentiality and privacy protection.
- Limiting the collection and retention of personal data to only what is necessary.
5. Disclosure of Your Information
We do not sell or trade your personal information. However, we may share it under the following circumstances:
- With your consent (e.g., referring you to a specialist or coordinating care with another healthcare provider).
- With your dental insurance provider for claims processing.
- When required by law, such as for regulatory compliance, court orders, or public health reporting.
6. Your Rights & Choices
As a patient, you have the right to:
- Access your records upon written request.
- Correct inaccuracies in your personal information.
- Withdraw consent for non-essential data collection (may affect service availability).
- Request deletion of certain information, subject to legal and regulatory retention requirements.
7. Retention of Information
We retain your dental records and personal information for the period required by BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCHP) guidelines, typically 16 years from the last patient interaction. After this period, information is securely disposed of.
8. Website & Digital Privacy
If you visit our website, we may collect:
- Cookies & Analytics Data: To improve website performance and user experience.
- Online Appointment Requests: Any personal information you submit online is protected using secure encryption.
- Third-Party Services: We do not share data with third parties unless necessary for essential services (e.g., online appointment booking platforms).
9. Contact Information
If you have any questions about our privacy policy or wish to access your records, please contact us directly.
10. Policy Updates
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in regulations or our practices. Any updates will be posted on our website, and we encourage you to review this policy periodically.