Sterling Orthodontics (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal and health information, both online and during in‑office visits. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, secure, and share information, with the goal of ensuring your trust and comfort.
This policy applies to both current and prospective patients, as well as visitors to our website. It covers the collection, use, and protection of information gathered through our website, forms, emails, and in-office procedures.
This policy is effective as of July 15, 2025 and may be updated periodically.
If you are under 13, please do not submit personal information unless with the consent and supervision of a parent or legal guardian.
1. Information Collected
a. Personal Contact Information
- While using our website: We may collect your name, email address, and phone number when you fill out contact or appointment forms.
- In‑office visits: We gather similar details to register you as a patient and manage scheduling.
b. Health & Protected Information
- Collected only during in‑person visits, this may include medical history, orthodontic treatment details, and insurance information.
- Such data is classified as “protected health information” (PHI) and is safeguarded under HIPAA standards.
c. Non‑Personal Usage Data
- Cookies, IP addresses, and analytics data may be collected while you browse our website to assess which pages are most visited and how users interact with our site.
- We may use third-party tools like Google Analytics to better understand how users interact with our website. These tools may set cookies or collect device/browser data.
- This information is aggregate and anonymized, and does not personally identify you.
2. How We Use Your Information
- Schedule appointments and respond to enquiries promptly.
- Provide requested services, whether informational or clinical.
- Send appointment reminders or updates, only if you’ve opted in.
- Improve website usability, by analyzing anonymized traffic patterns.
- Enhance patient care standards, based on secure review of anonymized feedback.
- Respond to online reviews or feedback in compliance with HIPAA.
- Ensure insurance verification and claims processing.
- Meet legal or regulatory requirements as needed.
3. Protection of Information
We employ robust security measures to protect your data:
- Encryption for digital forms and storage; locked cabinets and password protections for physical records
- Strict access controls within our practice; only authorized staff handle PHI
- Policies and procedures in compliance with HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules
- Regular staff training and audits to ensure ongoing compliance
4. Sharing & Third‑Party Services
- We do not sell or share your personal or health information.
- We may share PHI only as permitted by HIPAA, such as:
- With insurers for billing
- With other healthcare providers involved in your care
- With “business associates” (e.g., digital scheduling platforms), under HIPAA-compliant agreements
- We do not include or offer third-party products or services on our website.
5. Cookies & Analytics
- We use cookies and analytics tools to understand general usage trends—like page views and navigation flow.
- Collected data is anonymous and not tied to your identity.
- You can manage or disable cookies via your browser settings. To opt out of Google Analytics tracking, you may install the opt-out browser add-on here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
- We do not use cookies to track your behavior across unrelated websites (no cross-site tracking).
6. Your Rights
You have the right to:
- Access, correct, or request deletion of your personal or medical information.
- Request restrictions on certain uses or disclosures of your PHI.
- Submit confidential communication requests, e.g. contacting you via specific methods.
- Obtain an accounting of disclosures made regarding your PHI.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Privacy Officer at the office.
7. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy at any time. The latest version will always be posted here. We encourage you to review it periodically for changes.
8. Resources & Related Pages
- For more details on our services, see our Terms and Conditions.
- To schedule, update, or question anything regarding your information, please visit our contact us page.
9. Questions or Concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns about your privacy or how we use your personal information, please contact us.
Sterling Orthodontics
Address: 5555 Metro Parkway,
Ste. 200
Sterling Heights,
MI 48310
Call us: (586) 268-2700
Thank you for placing your trust in Sterling Orthodontics. We take the responsibility of protecting your privacy seriously and strive to provide you with a safe, secure, and respectful experience.
