Privacy Policy

Overview

My Specialty Dentist ("MSD," "we," "us," or "our") operates the website myspecialtydentist.com. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your choices regarding your data.

Important:MSD is a directory and educational content service. We are not a Covered Entity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Information you provide is treated according to this policy, not under HIPAA standards. See the "Health-Related Information" section below for details on how we handle health-adjacent data.

Information We Collect

We collect the following types of information when you use our service:

• Search queries and browsing behavior -- the pages you visit, searches you perform, and how you interact with our content.
• Form submissions -- information you voluntarily provide through contact forms, inquiry forms, provider claim forms, or account registration, such as your name, email address, phone number, and any details you choose to share about your dental needs.
• Device and usage data -- your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URLs, and general location (city/region level).
• Cookies and similar technologies -- small data files stored on your device to help us understand site usage and improve your experience.

How We Use Your Information

• To provide, maintain, and improve our services.
• To analyze site usage and understand how visitors interact with our content.
• To respond to your inquiries and support requests.
• To send service-related communications (e.g., account verification, provider claim confirmations, inquiry follow-ups).
• To route patient inquiries to the appropriate dental specialists.
• To detect and prevent fraud or abuse.

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.

SMS / Text Message Communications

If you provide your mobile phone number and opt in to SMS communications, we may send you text messages for the following purposes:

• Account verification (two-factor authentication codes).
• Confirmation of inquiries or appointment requests submitted through the Site.
• Follow-up messages regarding your inquiry status.
• Notifications to claimed providers about new patient inquiries and dashboard activity.

Message frequency varies based on your activity. Message and data rates may apply. We do not share mobile phone numbers or SMS opt-in consent with third parties or affiliates for their marketing purposes.

You can opt out of SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to any message. Reply HELP for support or contact us at [email protected]. Opting out of SMS does not affect your ability to use the Site.

Patient Inquiries and Provider Sharing

When you submit an inquiry, appointment request, or contact form directed to a specific provider listed on the Site, the information you provide -- including your name, contact details, and any details about your dental needs -- is shared with that provider's practice so they can respond to you.

Once shared with a provider, your information is handled by that practice under their own privacy policies and applicable laws. MSD is not responsible for how a provider handles information shared with them. We encourage you to review a provider's privacy practices before submitting sensitive details.

If you submit a general inquiry not directed at a specific provider, we may use your information to suggest appropriate specialists. We will not share your information with a provider without your consent, except as required to fulfill your request.

Health-Related Information

You may submit health-related information through the Site -- including symptoms, conditions, or details about your dental needs -- through forms, chat tools, or messages to providers.

• We use this information solely to route you to appropriate specialists, respond to your inquiry, and provide relevant educational content.
• We do not use health-related information for advertising or marketing to third parties.
• We do not sell health-related information.
• MSD is not a HIPAA Covered Entity, and information you submit is not protected health information (PHI) under HIPAA. Once you submit information to a provider, that provider is generally subject to HIPAA and will handle your data accordingly.

If you are a Washington State resident, see the "Washington Consumer Health Data" section below for additional rights.

Provider Information

Provider profiles on the Site are seeded from publicly available data sources, including the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES/NPI Registry), state dental board records, and other public directories. We may supplement profiles with additional publicly available information about a provider's practice.

Providers may claim their profiles to update, correct, or enhance the information displayed. Claimed providers control the content of their profiles, subject to our Terms of Service. Providers who wish to remove their profile may contact us at [email protected].

Third-Party Service Categories

We use third-party service providers to operate the Site. These providers may process information on our behalf in the following categories:

• Hosting and infrastructure providers -- for serving the Site, including server logs that may contain IP addresses.
• Database and authentication providers -- for storing account data, provider profiles, and inquiry records.
• Analytics services -- to understand traffic patterns and usage in aggregated, anonymized form.
• Messaging service providers -- for delivering SMS and email communications.
• Identity verification providers -- to verify that providers claiming profiles are who they say they are.

Each service provider operates under its own privacy policy and is contractually limited to processing data only for the purposes we direct.

Cookie Policy

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential cookies -- required for basic site functionality such as session management and authentication.
• Analytics cookies -- used to understand how visitors use our site. These cookies collect information in an aggregated, anonymized form.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect certain site features.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law. Analytics data is retained in aggregated form. If you request account deletion, we will remove your personal data within 30 days, except where we are legally required to retain it.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Request deletion of your personal data.
• Opt outof analytics tracking using your browser's controls or by contacting us.
• Correct inaccurate personal information.
• Withdraw consent for SMS or email communications at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected].

Children's Privacy

Our service is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information. If you believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at [email protected].

California Residents (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the CPRA:

• The right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose.
• The right to request deletion of your personal information.
• The right to correct inaccurate personal information.
• The right to opt out of the sale of personal information and of sharing for cross-context behavioral advertising. Note: we do not sell or share for cross-context behavioral advertising.
• The right to limit the use and disclosure of sensitive personal information.
• The right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights.

To submit a CCPA request, email us at [email protected] with the subject line "CCPA Request."

Washington Consumer Health Data (MHMDA)

If you are a Washington State resident, you have additional rights under the Washington My Health My Data Act (MHMDA) regarding consumer health data:

• The right to confirm whether we are collecting, sharing, or selling your consumer health data and to access that data.
• The right to withdraw consent for the collection and sharing of your consumer health data.
• The right to request deletion of your consumer health data.
• The right to appeal a denial of a request to exercise these rights.

We obtain consent before collecting consumer health data through the Site, and we do not sell consumer health data. To exercise your MHMDA rights, email us at [email protected] with the subject line "MHMDA Request."

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or want to exercise any of your rights, contact us at:

[email protected]