Privacy Policy

Introduction

Thornhill Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our services.

We are committed to complying with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and other applicable privacy legislation in Ontario, Canada.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Schedule an appointment
• Fill out patient intake forms
• Contact us through our website or by phone
• Subscribe to our communications

This information may include:

• Name, address, phone number, and email address
• Date of birth and health card information
• Dental and medical history
• Insurance information
• Payment information

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device, including:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Pages you visit on our website
• Time and date of your visit
• Referring website

How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• To provide dental care and treatment
• To schedule and manage appointments
• To process payments and insurance claims
• To communicate with you about your care
• To send appointment reminders
• To comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• To improve our services and website

Disclosure of Your Information

We may share your information in the following situations:

• With your referring dentist - to coordinate your care and provide treatment updates
• With insurance companies - to process claims on your behalf
• With other healthcare providers - when necessary for your treatment
• As required by law - to comply with legal obligations or respond to lawful requests
• With your consent - for any other purposes you have authorized

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Secure, encrypted electronic records systems
• Physical security measures for paper records
• Staff training on privacy and confidentiality
• Access controls limiting who can view your information

Your Rights

Under PHIPA, you have the right to:

• Access your personal health information
• Request corrections to your information
• Withdraw consent for certain uses of your information
• Make a complaint about our privacy practices

To exercise these rights, please contact our office.

Retention of Information

We retain your personal health information in accordance with the requirements of PHIPA and the regulations of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. Generally, patient records are retained for at least 10 years following your last visit, or 10 years after you reach the age of 18 if you were a minor at the time of treatment.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze website traffic. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. However, some parts of the website may not function properly without cookies.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.