Privacy Policy

This website and the dental practice it describes are operated by Tatari Dental Associates, PLLC DBA Lava Dental Houston ("we," "us," or "our"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal and health information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or communicate with us through various channels, including SMS text messaging.

By using our website or services, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information

We collect various types of personal information that you provide to us directly, including:

• Identity Information: Name, date of birth, gender, and government-issued identification
• Contact Information: Email address, telephone numbers (home, mobile, work), and mailing address
• Emergency Contact Information: Names and contact details of emergency contacts

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing behavior:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage Information: Pages visited, time spent on pages, links clicked, referring website addresses
• Location Information: General geographic location based on IP address
• Cookies and Tracking Data: Information collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies (see the Cookies section below)

2. How We Use Your Information

Healthcare Services

• Scheduling and managing appointments
• Providing dental care, treatment, and consultations
• Maintaining accurate medical and dental records
• Processing insurance claims and billing
• Sending appointment reminders and follow-up care instructions

Business Operations

• Processing payments and managing accounts
• Responding to inquiries and providing customer support
• Improving our services and website functionality
• Conducting quality assurance and training
• Complying with legal and regulatory requirements

Marketing and Communications

• Sending promotional offers, practice news, and oral-health tips — only if you have separately opted in to marketing communications
• Conducting patient satisfaction surveys

3. SMS Text Messaging Program

Two Types of SMS Consent

We treat consent to receive text messages as two separate, independent opt-ins. Consenting to one does not consent you to the other:

• Transactional / Conversational Messages: Appointment confirmations, appointment reminders, scheduling changes, recall notices, post-treatment follow-ups, billing notifications, and two-way replies to conversations you start with us. You opt in to these by providing your mobile number when booking or registering as a patient and agreeing to receive appointment-related texts.
• Marketing / Promotional Messages: Special offers, promotions, practice news, and oral-health tips. These are sent only if you separately and expressly opt in to marketing texts (for example, by checking an unchecked marketing checkbox on a form). Marketing messages are off by default — we never send them based solely on your booking an appointment or providing your number for scheduling purposes.

Consent to receive text messages — transactional or marketing — is not a condition of booking an appointment, receiving treatment, or purchasing any goods or services. You may decline SMS entirely and we will communicate with you by phone or email instead.

Message Frequency and Rates

Message frequency varies depending on your appointment schedule and the services you receive; a typical patient receives up to 4–6 messages per month, with more around scheduled appointments or during active treatment. Message and data rates may apply according to your mobile carrier's plan.

Opt-Out (STOP) and Help (HELP)

• Reply STOP to any text message to unsubscribe at any time. You will receive one final message confirming your opt-out.
• Reply HELP to any text message for assistance, or contact us at (281) 741-7400 or info@lava.dental.
• You may also opt out by calling our office, emailing us, or telling any team member in person.

Opting out of marketing messages does not stop transactional appointment messages, and vice versa — you can manage each independently. Replying STOP to a message stream removes you from that stream; tell us if you'd like to be removed from all texting.

Mobile Number Sharing

We do not share your mobile number with third parties for their own marketing purposes. No mobile information, SMS opt-in data, or text messaging consent will be sold, rented, or shared with third parties or affiliates for their independent marketing use. Your mobile number and SMS consent data are used solely for communication between you and Lava Dental, and are shared only with the service providers who operate our messaging and communications on our behalf (see Section 4) and with your wireless carrier as technically necessary to deliver messages.

Carrier Liability

Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. We are not responsible for messages that are blocked by your carrier or not received due to network issues.

4. Service Providers and Technology Vendors

We use a small number of third-party vendors to operate our website, communications, and marketing. These vendors process information only on our behalf and are not permitted to use your information for their own marketing purposes:

• GoHighLevel / LeadConnector: Our patient communication and CRM platform — powers our appointment forms, SMS text messaging, email, and website chat widget
• Mango: Our office phone and voice communications provider
• Elfsight: Website widgets, such as embedded patient reviews
• Google: Analytics (Google Analytics / Tag Manager), embedded maps, and advertising measurement
• Meta: Advertising measurement and social media integration (e.g., the Meta Pixel, Facebook, and Instagram)

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Types of Cookies We Use

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and collect information about how you use our site:

• Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function properly, including security features and basic navigation
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting anonymous usage statistics (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings to provide a personalized experience
• Marketing Cookies: Track your browsing activity to deliver relevant advertisements and measure campaign effectiveness

Third-Party Tracking

We use third-party services that may collect information about your online activities over time and across different websites:

• Google Analytics: Provides website traffic analysis and user behavior insights
• Meta Pixel: Tracks conversions and enables targeted advertising on Facebook and Instagram
• Social Media Plugins: May track your interactions with embedded content

Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to view what cookies are stored, delete them, block third-party cookies, or delete all cookies when you close your browser. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website and your user experience.

6. Data Security and Protection

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal and health information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction:

• Encryption: We use SSL/TLS encryption for data transmitted over the internet
• Access Controls: Only authorized personnel have access to personal health information on a need-to-know basis
• Physical Security: Our facilities have physical safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to records
• Regular Audits: We conduct regular security assessments and updates to our systems
• Employee Training: All staff members receive HIPAA and privacy training

HIPAA Compliance

As a healthcare provider, we comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and maintain the confidentiality of your protected health information (PHI). For detailed information about how we use and disclose your health information, please refer to our Notice of Privacy Practices, which is provided to you at your first appointment.

Data Retention

We retain your personal and health information for as long as necessary to provide ongoing dental care, comply with legal and regulatory obligations, and resolve disputes. Dental records are typically retained for a minimum of seven years from the date of last treatment, or longer as required by state law and professional standards.

Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that affects your personal or health information, we will notify you and relevant authorities as required by applicable law, including HIPAA breach notification requirements.

7. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• Insurance Companies: To process claims and verify coverage
• Healthcare Providers: To coordinate your care with specialists or other providers (with your authorization)
• Laboratories and Suppliers: To fabricate dental appliances and provide treatment
• Business Associates: Third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf under HIPAA-compliant agreements (see Section 4)
• Payment Processors: To process credit card and electronic payments securely
• Legal Requirements: To comply with court orders, subpoenas, or legal processes; to protect our rights, property, or safety; or as required by law

8. Your Privacy Rights

• Right to Access: You may request a copy of your dental records and personal information we maintain
• Right to Correct: You may request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information
• Right to an Accounting: You may request a list of disclosures of your health information
• Opt-Out of Marketing: You can unsubscribe from promotional emails and marketing SMS messages at any time
• Data Portability: You may request an electronic copy of your records in a commonly used format
• Request Deletion: You may request deletion of certain personal information, subject to legal and regulatory retention requirements

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided below. We will respond within the timeframes required by applicable law.

Right to Complain

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with our Privacy Officer (contact information below) or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

9. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through our website. When we provide dental services to minors, we obtain consent from parents or legal guardians and comply with all applicable privacy laws regarding minors' health information.

10. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites for your convenience. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will post the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date. Material changes will be communicated through a notice on our website or via email. Your continued use of our services after such changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Tatari Dental Associates, PLLC DBA Lava Dental Houston
Privacy Officer
6915 Antoine Dr, Ste 100
Houston, TX 77091

Phone: (281) 741-7400
Email: info@lava.dental

This policy should be reviewed by qualified legal counsel before publication. Have counsel review for compliance with applicable state and federal laws.