Effective: November 1, 2026  •  Astra Dental, 2633 Mannheim Road, Franklin Park, IL 60131

This Privacy Policy covers services provided to you by Astra Dental. By law, we are required to maintain the privacy of protected health information and to provide you with this Policy of our legal duties and privacy practices with respect to protected health information. Protected health information consists of information about you (including demographic information) that may identify you and that relates to your past, present, or future physical or mental health or condition. It also includes related health care services.

The Policy describes how Astra Dental may use and disclose your protected health information to carry out treatment, payment, or health care operations. Other uses and disclosures of your information will be made only with your written authorization (unless otherwise permitted or required by law). We are required to abide by the terms of this Policy. We may change the terms of the policy at any time. You may contact our office by calling our Office Manager or asking for a revised copy at your next appointment.

1. Uses & Disclosures of Protected Health Information

Your protected health information may be used by your doctor for treatment, payment, and health care operations without authorization from you. It may be used and disclosed by your doctor, the office staff, and others outside our office who are involved in your care and treatment for the purpose of providing health care services to you and to pay your health care bills.

• Treatment: Your protected healthcare information may be used and disclosed to provide, coordinate, or manage your health care and any related services, including services rendered from another doctor or consultation with another provider.
• Payment: Your information may be used, as needed, to obtain or provide payment for your medical services. This includes disclosures to health insurance plans for eligibility verification, review of services, and utilization review activities.
• Operations: Your protected health information may be disclosed or used, as needed, to support the business activities of your doctor's practice. These activities include quality assessment; reviewing the qualifications of professionals; business planning and development; and other business activities.

We may use a sign-in sheet at the registration desk and may call you by name in the waiting room. Whenever your protected health information is used in an arrangement with a business associate, we will have a written contract protecting the privacy of your information.

2. Your Rights

You have the following rights with respect to your protected health information:

• Right to Inspect and Copy: You may inspect and obtain a copy of your protected health information contained in your chart, including medical and billing records.
• Right to Request Restrictions: You may ask our office not to use or disclose any part of your protected health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations, or to family members involved in your care.
• Right to Confidential Communications: You have the right to request communications by alternative means or at an alternative location. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
• Right to Amend: You may have the right to have your provider amend your protected health information, though we reserve the right to deny this request.
• Right to an Accounting: You have the right to receive an accounting of certain disclosures made of your protected health information for purposes other than treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.

3. Text Messaging (SMS) Communications

Astra Dental may use SMS (text messaging) to communicate with patients who have opted in to receive text messages. These communications may include appointment reminders and confirmations, scheduling notifications, treatment follow-ups, billing or insurance-related messages, and general patient care communications.

Consent: By providing your mobile phone number and opting in, you consent to receive SMS messages from Astra Dental. Consent to receive SMS messages is not a condition of receiving dental care or services. No mobile opt-in message consent will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.

Opt-Out & Help: You may opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by replying STOP to any message. For assistance, reply HELP or contact us directly. Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier and plan.

Data Privacy: Astra Dental does not sell, rent, or share your mobile phone number with third parties for marketing purposes. Your information is used solely for patient communication and office-related purposes.

SMS Terms: If you consent to receive SMS from Astra Dental, you agree to receive appointment reminders, patient care updates, billing notifications, and office communications via SMS. Reply STOP to unsubscribe; reply HELP for help. Msg & data rates may apply. Messaging frequency may vary.

4. Complaints

You may make a complaint to us or to the Secretary of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. You may file a complaint with us by notifying our Office Manager. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

For further information about the complaint process, contact the Office Manager at (312) 597-9999 or astradentalpr@gmail.com.

This Policy was published and became effective on November 1, 2026. Astra Dental • 2633 Mannheim Road, Franklin Park, IL 60131 • (312) 597-9999