Website Privacy Policy

Effective date: August 1, 2026

About this policy

This policy explains how Stephen Family Dentistry handles information collected through this website. It is separate from our Notice of Privacy Practices, which explains how protected health information is used and disclosed in connection with dental care.

Visiting this website, reading its content, or sending a general inquiry does not by itself establish a dentist-patient relationship with Stephen Family Dentistry or Dr Valentine Stephen.

Information you choose to provide

You may provide information when you contact us, request an appointment, telephone the practice, or communicate with us by email. Depending on the form or communication, this may include your name, telephone number, email address, preferred appointment details, and a brief reason for contacting us.

Please do not submit detailed medical histories, diagnoses, insurance numbers, payment-card information, Social Security numbers, or other highly sensitive information through a general website form unless the practice specifically directs you to use an approved method.

Appointment and contact forms

An online appointment submission is a request only. An appointment is not scheduled or confirmed until a member of the practice team contacts you.

Website submissions may be transmitted to the practice by email or another configured delivery service. Although we use reasonable safeguards, ordinary email and website forms may not provide the same level of privacy as a dedicated patient portal.

The practice intends to collect only the minimum information reasonably needed to respond. Website submissions should not be used for emergencies or urgent dental problems.

Information collected automatically

When you use the website, the hosting server may automatically record technical information such as your Internet Protocol address, browser type, device type, requested pages, date and time, referring page, and security-related events. This information is generally used to operate, secure, diagnose, and improve the website.

The website does not currently require an account or patient login.

Cookies and analytics

The website may use essential browser storage or cookies needed for normal website functions, such as remembering a temporary design or accessibility preference.

Stephen Family Dentistry does not currently intend to use advertising pixels, behavioral advertising, or nonessential tracking. If analytics or marketing technologies are added later, this policy should be updated before they are enabled, particularly because healthcare websites require careful review of information shared with third parties.

Third-party services and links

The website may link to services operated by others, including maps, payment-plan providers, insurance resources, social media, or external health information. Those services have their own privacy practices, and Stephen Family Dentistry does not control how they collect or use information.

Opening a third-party link may allow that provider to receive technical information such as your IP address and the page from which you followed the link.

How website information may be used

We may use information submitted through the website to respond to your inquiry, contact you about an appointment request, provide requested information, maintain security, prevent abuse, troubleshoot website problems, and comply with legal obligations.

We do not sell information submitted through this website.

Sharing website information

We may share information with service providers that help operate the website or deliver communications, but only for legitimate services and subject to appropriate contractual and security requirements where applicable.

We may also disclose information when required by law, to protect rights or safety, to investigate fraud or security incidents, or in connection with a lawful business reorganization.

Security

We use reasonable administrative and technical measures designed to protect website information. No website, email system, or Internet transmission can be guaranteed completely secure.

Once information becomes part of your dental record, it is handled under the practice's Notice of Privacy Practices and applicable health-privacy laws.

Retention

We retain website submissions and technical records only as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose collected, legitimate business needs, security, recordkeeping, and applicable legal requirements.

Information incorporated into a dental record may be retained for the period required by law and professional recordkeeping obligations.

Children

This website is directed to parents, guardians, and adults seeking information about dental care. A parent or legal guardian should submit information on behalf of a minor. We do not knowingly ask children to provide personal information directly through the website.

Your choices

You may choose not to submit information through the website and may contact the practice by telephone instead.

You may ask questions about information you submitted online or request correction or deletion when appropriate. Some information may need to be retained for legal, security, or healthcare-record purposes.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when the website, service providers, or legal requirements change. The current version will be posted on this page with its effective date.

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