Legal
Privacy Policy
Last updated: April 15, 2025
Your privacy matters to us. This policy describes how Gorham Dental collects, uses, and protects your personal and health information in compliance with Ontario's Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and federal PIPEDA legislation.
1. Our Commitment to Your Privacy
Gorham Dental is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) of Ontario, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and the guidelines of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO).
2. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal and health information: • Personal identification information (name, date of birth, address, phone number, email) • Health history and medical information relevant to dental care • Dental records, treatment plans, X-rays, and clinical notes • Insurance and billing information • Communications sent through our contact forms or by email • Website usage data (cookies, IP address, browser type) for analytics purposes
3. How We Use Your Information
Your personal health information is used exclusively for the following purposes: • To provide and coordinate dental care and treatment • To communicate with you regarding appointments, follow-ups, and oral health • To process billing and insurance claims • To comply with our legal and regulatory obligations under Ontario law • To improve our website and patient experience We will not use your personal information for any purpose other than those identified above without your consent.
4. Disclosure of Your Information
Gorham Dental does not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances: • With other regulated health professionals involved in your care (e.g., specialists, labs) with your knowledge or consent • With your insurance provider for billing purposes, as authorized by you • As required or permitted by law, including compliance with PHIPA and RCDSO regulations • To protect the safety of you or others in an emergency All third parties who handle your health information are required to maintain the same level of confidentiality we do.
5. Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)
As a health information custodian under Ontario's PHIPA, Gorham Dental collects, uses, and discloses personal health information only for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances. You have the right to: • Access your own personal health information held by our practice • Request corrections to inaccurate information • Withdraw consent for certain uses or disclosures (subject to legal limitations) • File a complaint with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario if you believe your rights have been violated
6. Data Security
We implement appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification, or destruction. Our electronic records are stored on secure, encrypted systems. Paper records are kept in locked, restricted-access areas. Only authorized staff who require the information to perform their duties have access to patient records.
7. Retention of Records
Dental records are retained for a minimum of 10 years from the date of the last entry, or until a patient turns 26 (whichever is longer), in accordance with RCDSO record-keeping standards and Ontario regulations. After the retention period, records are securely destroyed.
8. Website Cookies & Analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience and gather anonymous analytics data (e.g., page views, visit duration). Cookies do not contain personally identifiable health information. You may disable cookies through your browser settings; however, some features of the website may not function as intended.
9. Children's Privacy
We treat the personal health information of minors with the utmost care. Information about patients under 18 is collected and managed in accordance with PHIPA and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act of Ontario. Parental or guardian consent is obtained where required.
10. Your Rights
You have the right to: • Request access to your personal health information • Request corrections if information is inaccurate or incomplete • Ask questions about how your information is used or disclosed • Withdraw consent where permitted by law To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Privacy Officer at the details below.
11. Changes to This Policy
Gorham Dental may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. The revised policy will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
12. Contact Our Privacy Officer
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests related to your privacy or this policy, please contact us: Privacy Officer — Gorham Dental 409 Gorham Rd, Fort Erie, ON, L0S 1N0 Phone: 647-270-6100 If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario at: www.ipc.on.ca | 1-800-387-0073