Privacy & Cookies Policy

Bright Smiles respects your privacy. Bright Smiles is the trade name used by Bright Smiles Dental Center PC, Apex Dental PC, and Dawsonville Smiles LLC. This policy explains how information may be collected, used, disclosed, and protected when you use the Bright Smiles website and related online services.

This website policy is separate from the Bright Smiles Joint Notice of Privacy Practices, which describes how protected health information (PHI) is used and disclosed by the participating covered entities and explains patient privacy rights.

1. Information You Provide

We may collect information you choose to provide when you request an appointment, submit a website form, use chat or messaging features, call, text, email, subscribe to communications, or otherwise interact with Bright Smiles online. Depending on the interaction, this may include:

• name and contact information;
• preferred Bright Smiles location;
• appointment or scheduling information;
• messages, questions, and form entries;
• communication preferences; and
• other information you voluntarily provide.

Please avoid sending highly sensitive information through a general website form or chat unless the feature is specifically identified for that purpose.

2. Information Collected Automatically

When you use the website, certain technical and usage information may be collected automatically, including IP address, browser or device information, pages viewed, interactions with website features, referring source, approximate location derived from technical information, date and time of visits, and campaign or conversion information.

3. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The website may use cookies, pixels, tags, local storage, and similar technologies. Depending on the services enabled, these technologies may fall into the following categories:

• Essential – support security, navigation, consent preferences, and core website functions.
• Preference – remember choices or settings that improve the user experience.
• Analytics – help us understand website traffic, use, reliability, and performance.
• Marketing – help measure advertising, understand campaign effectiveness, or support advertising functions where used and permitted.

Where cookie-consent controls are available, you may use them to manage nonessential categories. Browser settings may provide additional controls. Disabling some technologies may affect website functionality.

4. How We Use Information

• respond to inquiries and appointment requests;
• communicate about requested services and appointments;
• provide, operate, secure, troubleshoot, and improve the website and online services;
• understand website use and performance;
• measure marketing and advertising effectiveness where permitted;
• maintain records and prevent misuse or fraud;
• support Bright Smiles operations and the participating practices; and
• comply with legal, regulatory, professional, and contractual obligations.

5. Service Providers and Third Parties

Bright Smiles may use third-party providers for website hosting, security, forms, communications, scheduling, analytics, mapping, video, advertising, payment-related functions, and other business services. These providers may collect or receive information as needed to provide their services. Where HIPAA requires a Business Associate Agreement or other safeguard, the applicable Bright Smiles entity is responsible for using the required arrangement.

6. HIPAA and Health Information

Information you submit in connection with seeking or receiving health care may become PHI when it is created, received, or maintained by a Bright Smiles participating covered entity in a context subject to HIPAA. PHI is handled under the Joint Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable law. A website privacy choice, cookie setting, or general website consent does not replace a HIPAA authorization or another permission required by law.

7. Communications

If you provide a phone number or email address, Bright Smiles may use it to respond to your request and for other communications permitted by law and your preferences. Standard email, SMS, and similar communication methods may have privacy or security limitations. Marketing communications will include applicable opt-out methods where required.

8. Security

We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the nature of the information and our operations. No internet transmission, electronic communication, or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

9. Children

The website is intended for general audiences and is not designed to collect personal information directly from children without appropriate involvement of a parent or legal guardian. Parents or guardians may use website tools to seek care for a minor.

10. Your Choices

• use available cookie or browser controls;
• unsubscribe from eligible marketing email or text communications using the provided method;
• contact us to update communication preferences; and
• contact the Privacy Officer with questions about privacy practices or health-information rights.

11. External Websites and Embedded Services

The website may link to or embed services controlled by third parties. Their terms, privacy practices, accessibility, data collection, and availability are governed by those providers, subject to any obligations Bright Smiles may have under applicable law.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy as our website, services, technology, vendors, or legal obligations change. The effective date identifies the current version. Material operational changes should be reviewed together with the Joint Notice of Privacy Practices and related compliance documents when applicable.

13. Contact

Bright Smiles Privacy Officer
Venkatesh Srinivasan
907 Buford Rd, Suite 100
Cumming, GA 30041
Phone: (678) 941-5151
Email: info@brightsmilesga.com