Website Privacy Policy
Rafael Rivera, Jr., DDS, PLLC d.b.a Smile Starters
Effective Date: [6/30/2026]
Smile Starters (“Smile Starters,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you visit smilestarterdental.com (the “Website”), interact with our online chat or scheduling tools, or otherwise communicate with us electronically. By using the Website, you agree to the practices described in this Policy.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
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Name, email address, and phone number
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Appointment requests and scheduling details
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Messages submitted through contact forms or the live chat widget
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Any other information you voluntarily provide to us
Please do not submit sensitive medical, dental, or health information through the general contact form or live chat. These channels are not intended for the transmission of protected health information (“PHI”). See Section 6 (Protected Health Information) below.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit the Website, certain information may be collected automatically, including:
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IP address and approximate location
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Browser type and device information
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Pages visited, links clicked, and time/date of visit
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Information collected through cookies and similar tracking technologies, as described in Section 2
2. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies (such as pixels, SDKs, and local storage) to operate the Website, remember your preferences, and — where you consent — to analyze traffic. When you first visit the Website, you will see a cookie banner that lets you accept or decline non-essential categories of cookies. The table below identifies the cookies and related technologies we are currently aware of on the Website, their source, purpose, category, and duration. This table is reviewed periodically and updated when our use of cookies or third-party tools changes.
“Essential” cookies are necessary for the Website to function (e.g., security, fraud prevention, load balancing) and cannot be turned off through the banner. “Functional,” “Analytics,” and “Advertising” cookies are non-essential and only operate if you affirmatively accept that category.
2.1 Managing Your Cookie Choices
You can manage non-essential cookies in two ways:
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Cookie banner: When you first visit the Website, a banner allows you to accept all cookies, reject non-essential cookies, or customize your choices by category (essential, functional, analytics, advertising, and third-party data sharing). You may change your preferences at any time by [clearing your cookies / clicking “Cookie Settings” in the website footer — confirm actual mechanism].
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Browser settings: Most browsers let you block or delete cookies through their settings. Blocking essential cookies may affect Website functionality.
2.2 Live Chat and Messaging Features
The Website offers a live chat feature, which uses third-party infrastructure (including Wix Chat and Google Firebase) to operate. When the chat feature is active, it may establish a real-time connection and exchange technical and session information — such as a device or browser identifier and IP address — with these providers in order to deliver the chat functionality. We are working to ensure this feature only activates after you choose to accept functional cookies or affirmatively open the chat window, rather than loading automatically on every page visit.
Please do not share protected health information, such as details about a specific diagnosis, treatment, or your child’s medical history, through the live chat. Use the live chat only for general, non-clinical questions (e.g., office hours, general inquiries).
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
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Respond to inquiries and appointment requests
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Provide customer support and operate the live chat feature
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Operate, maintain, and improve the Website
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Analyze website performance and visitor trends, where you have consented to analytics cookies
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Send appointment reminders or other communications you have requested
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Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
4. Third-Party Service Providers
We use the following categories of third-party providers to operate the Website and our services. These providers may receive limited information (such as IP address or contact information) as necessary to perform their function, and they maintain their own privacy practices.
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Website platform and hosting: Wix.com, Inc.
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Live chat and messaging infrastructure: Wix Chat, in connection with Google Firebase (authentication and real-time messaging services)
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Online appointment scheduling: CareStack
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SMS/text messaging: CareStack see also our SMS Privacy Policy
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Website analytics (where enabled by your cookie consent): Google Analytics
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Forms and communication tools: CareStack
When you schedule an appointment online, you may be redirected to a secure third-party scheduling platform that maintains its own privacy practices and terms of use, which we encourage you to review.
5. Sharing of Information
We do not sell your personal information for monetary consideration.
We may share information with the service providers identified in Section 4 to operate the Website and our services, with professional advisors, or as required by law, in connection with a business transaction (such as a merger or sale), or to protect our legal rights, safety, or property.
6. California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)
If you are a California resident, the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (“CCPA/CPRA”), may give you certain rights regarding your personal information, including the right to:
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Know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
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Delete personal information we have collected from you, subject to certain exceptions
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Correct inaccurate personal information
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Opt out of the “sale” or “sharing” of personal information, including for cross-context behavioral advertising
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Non-discrimination for exercising these rights
We do not believe we currently “sell” or “share” personal information as those terms are defined under the CCPA/CPRA. [Confirm with counsel based on current and planned use of analytics/advertising tools; if any such tool is enabled, this section should be expanded to include a “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” mechanism and link.] To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information in Section 11.
7. Children’s Privacy
The Website is intended for use by parents and legal guardians seeking dental care for their children. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children through the Website without the involvement of a parent or guardian.
8. Data Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the information we collect. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Protected Health Information and Notice of Privacy Practices
Information you provide through this Website (such as your name, email, or a general inquiry) is generally not part of your dental record. Protected health information that you provide to us in the course of treatment, such as through our patient portal or in person, is handled in accordance with HIPAA and our Notice of Privacy Practices, available here: Notice of Privacy Practices
Please do not submit sensitive medical or dental information through general Website contact forms or live chat unless that channel is specifically designated for such use.
10. Your Privacy Choices
Subject to applicable law, you may:
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Request access to the personal information you have provided to us
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Request correction of inaccurate information
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Request deletion of information, where permitted by law
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Opt out of marketing communications at any time
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Manage cookie preferences as described in Section 2.1
Text message communications are governed separately by our SMS Terms & Conditions and SMS Privacy Policy, available on our website.
11. Third-Party Websites
The Website may contain links to third-party websites or services, including our online scheduling platform. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
12. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technologies, or legal requirements. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated Effective Date.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, or would like to exercise any of the rights described above, please contact us:
Nelly Rivera
Rafael Rivera, Jr., DDS, PLLC d/b/a Smile Starters
Phone: (704) 816-1407
