Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 1, 2025 | Last Revised: March 2026

John A. Garza, DDS, LVIF, FIAPA, BSc ("we," "us," "our") is committed to respecting and protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share information, including when you opt in to receive SMS messages from us. This policy is provided in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as amended by the HITECH Act.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information:

Personal identifiers: full name, date of birth, home address, phone number(s), and email address
Your mobile phone number and your consent to receive SMS messages, when you opt in to our messaging program
Dental and medical history: health conditions, medications, allergies, and prior treatments
Insurance information: carrier name, group and member ID numbers, and coverage details
Financial and billing records: payment history, account balances, and payment method information
Appointment and scheduling records: visit history and upcoming appointment details
Communications you initiate by phone, email, text message, or online contact forms
Radiographs, clinical photographs, and other diagnostic records created during treatment

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to provide, coordinate, and manage your dental care; to submit insurance claims and process billing; for internal operations such as quality assurance and staff training; and to send you the SMS messages you have opted in to receive, including appointment reminders, scheduling updates, recall notices, post-visit follow-ups, and important practice notices.

3. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal or health information. We do not share your phone number or SMS opt-in data with third parties for marketing purposes. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

With licensed providers directly involved in your dental care
With vendors and service providers who perform functions on our behalf (e.g., billing, IT, appointment reminder software) under written Business Associate Agreements requiring HIPAA-compliant protection of your information
With your insurance carrier as necessary to verify coverage, submit claims, or obtain payment
When required by applicable law, regulation, court order, or governmental authority
For any other purpose not listed above, only with your written authorization, which you may revoke at any time

4. SMS Communications

When you provide your mobile phone number and become a patient of record, you consent to receive SMS text messages from our practice related to your dental care. We do not send marketing or promotional text messages. You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message we send. For full details on our SMS program, message frequency, and opt-out instructions, please refer to our separate Terms and Conditions.

5. Your HIPAA Rights

Under HIPAA, you have the right to access and obtain a copy of your dental records; request corrections to inaccurate information; receive an accounting of certain disclosures; request restrictions on certain uses of your information; request confidential communications at a specific address or phone number; and receive a paper copy of this notice at any time, free of charge.

To exercise any of these rights, please submit a written request to our office. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law.

6. Data Security

We implement administrative, physical, and technical safeguards designed to protect your personal and health information in accordance with HIPAA Security Rule requirements and industry best practices. In the event of a data breach affecting your unsecured protected health information, we will notify you in accordance with the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule and applicable state law.

7. Website Cookies & Third-Party Links

Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and analyze site traffic. Cookies do not store protected health information. Our website may contain links to third-party sites; we are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites.

8. Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update this Policy at any time. Material changes will be posted on our website with an updated effective date. Your continued receipt of care after the effective date of any revision constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

John A. Garza, DDS, LVIF, FIAPA, BSc

Phone: 480-539-7979

Email: info@johnagarzadds.com

Address: 754 S Val Vista Dr, Suite 106, Gilbert, AZ 85296