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Smile Starters SMS Consent Policy

SMS Privacy Policy of Rafael Rivera, Jr., DDS, PLLC dba Smile Starters

Last Updated: 6/30/2026

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1. Introduction

We at Rafael Rivera, Jr., DDS, PLLC dba Smile Starters (“we,” “us,” or “Smile Starters”) believe in protecting the security and confidentiality of your personal information. This SMS Privacy Policy (the “Policy”) discloses our policies regarding the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of your personal information obtained in connection with your participation in our SMS messaging service (the “Service”). This Policy only applies to personal information obtained in connection with the Service. By opting into and using the Service, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Policy.

2. Our SMS Provider

We make the Service available to you through a third-party text messaging platform, CareStack, which processes and delivers SMS messages on our behalf. CareStack may have access to the phone numbers and message content necessary to deliver the Service, and maintains its own privacy and security practices. CareStack Privacy Policy

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3. Personal Information We Collect

a. Personal Information Collected When You Opt-In. When you opt in to the Service, we collect the following directly from you:

  • Your name

  • Your phone number

b. Personal Information Collected from Our Service Provider. We collect the following from our third-party SMS provider when you use the Service:

  • The content of any text messages you send us

  • The details of messages you send, such as the time and date of the message

  • Your messaging history

c. Personal Information Automatically Collected. Through your use of the Service, we automatically collect usage details, IP addresses, information collected through cookies, operating system information, web browser details, web beacons, and other tracking technologies.

d. Other Personal Information Provided by You. We also collect other information you voluntarily provide, including contact information provided in connection with an inquiry, comments, or other feedback.

4. Message Frequency and Fees

Message frequency varies depending on your care and appointment schedule (for example, appointment reminders, scheduling confirmations, and account or billing notices). You may receive up to 4 messages per month as part of the Service, though actual frequency may vary.

Message and data rates may apply based on your mobile carrier's plan. Smile Starters is not responsible for any charges, errors, or delays in SMS delivery caused by your carrier or by third-party service providers.

5. What We Text About — and What We Don’t

Text messages sent through the Service are generally limited to appointment reminders, scheduling confirmations, general office notices, and account or billing communications. Our text messages do not include specific clinical, diagnostic, or treatment details about you or your child.

Please do not reply to our text messages with sensitive health information, such as details about a diagnosis, symptoms, or treatment history. If you need to share that kind of information, please call our office directly or use your patient portal, which are more secure channels for protected health information.

6. No Sale of Personal Information

We do not sell, share, or trade personal information obtained in connection with the Service to any third party for marketing purposes.

7. Use of Personal Information

We use your personal information to:

  • Deliver the Service to you

  • Communicate with you regarding inquiries or otherwise provide customer service

  • Maintain and support the Service

  • Personalize and improve the overall experience of the Service

  • Analyze the Service

  • Create de-identified information for our use

  • Any other purpose you consent to

8. Disclosure of Personal Information to Third Parties

We disclose personal information collected in connection with the Service for the following purposes:

  • With our affiliates: We may share your personal information with third parties that share common ownership with Smile Starters, but only for the purposes described above.

  • For reasons you consent to: We may share your personal information with third parties for any reason if we obtain your consent before doing so, or if you specifically direct us to share it.

  • To defend our legal rights: We may disclose your personal information to protect and defend the legal rights of Smile Starters and its employees, or to establish or defend against legal claims.

  • To comply with law: We may disclose your personal information to government authorities or other relevant third parties to comply with applicable legal requirements, judicial proceedings, court orders, subpoenas, legal process, or lawful government requests.

9. Security

We have implemented commercially reasonable safeguards to provide adequate protection for the storage and transfer of your personal information. Despite these measures, we cannot guarantee that your personal information will only be accessed by authorized parties. We are not responsible for third parties that circumvent the safeguards we have put in place. We will notify you if we become aware of unauthorized access to your personal information.

10. Retention of Personal Information

Unless stated otherwise in this Policy, we may retain your personal information for as long as you participate in the Service, and thereafter as long as necessary to comply with legal requirements and obligations, defend our rights, resolve conflicts, improve our services, address complaints, and enforce contracts.

11. Opt-Out

At any time, you may opt out of the Service by replying with any of the following words to any of our text messages:

  • STOP

  • OPT OUT

You may also opt out by contacting us using the information in the Contact section below. You are not required to participate in the Service, and you will not be discriminated against for choosing to opt out.

For help at any time, reply HELP to any text message, or contact us using the information in the Contact section below.

12. Revisions

This Policy may be revised from time to time without prior notice to you. Changes will be effective as soon as the updated Policy is posted. If you disagree with any such changes, please cease using the Service. Continued use of the Service after changes are posted indicates your acceptance of those changes. If we make changes that materially impact previously collected personal information about you, we will make reasonable efforts to provide notice and obtain consent as may be required by law.

13. Minors

Minors under the age of 13 may not use the Service. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13 years of age. We recommend that users between the ages of 13 and 18 ask a parent or guardian for permission before sending any information about themselves over the internet or through text messages. If you become aware that a minor under the age of 13 has used the Service, please contact us using the information below.

14. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

This Policy is subject to the terms contained in Smile Starters' Terms of Use and Smile Starters' primary Website Privacy Policy, both available at www.smilestarterdental.com. By signing up for the Service, you also agree to Smile Starters' Terms of Use and Website Privacy Policy.

15. Contact

If you have questions or concerns about this Policy or the way your personal information is handled, please contact us at:

3340 Robinwood Road, Ste 100-406, Gastonia, NC 28054

Email: nrivera@smilestartersdental.com

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