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Privacy Policy

Notice of Privacy Practices

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

KIAN DJAWDAN DMD PA, doing business as Djawdan Center for Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry 133 Defense Highway, Suite 210, Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: 410-927-1767 · Email: info@smileannapolis.com · Website: www.smileannapolis.com

This notice applies to the dental records and health information our practice creates or receives about you, including information in paper charts, electronic records, x-rays and images, and communications such as text messages and email.

Your rights

You have the following rights regarding your health information. To use any of them, contact our Privacy Officer using the information at the end of this notice.

  • Get a copy of your records. You may see or get a paper or electronic copy of your dental and billing records. We will usually provide it within 30 days of your request and may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
  • Ask us to correct your records. You may ask us to correct information you believe is incorrect or incomplete. We may say no, but we will tell you why in writing within 60 days.
  • Request confidential communications. You may ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, a different phone number or mailing address). We will agree to all reasonable requests.
  • Ask us to limit what we use or share. You may ask us not to use or share certain information for treatment, payment, or our operations. We are not required to agree if it would affect your care. If you pay for a service in full out of pocket, you may ask us not to share information about that service with your health plan, and we will agree unless a law requires us to share it.
  • Get a list of those we have shared information with. You may request a list (accounting) of the times we shared your information in the six years before your request, who we shared it with, and why. It will not include disclosures for treatment, payment, or operations, or those you authorized. We provide one list a year free and may charge a reasonable fee for additional lists within 12 months.
  • Get a copy of this notice. You may ask for a paper copy at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.
  • Choose someone to act for you. If you have given someone medical power of attorney, or someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights. We will confirm they have this authority before we act.
  • File a complaint. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may complain to our Privacy Officer or to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at 200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20201, 1-877-696-6775, or www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Your choices

For certain information, you can tell us your preferences about what we share. Let us know if you have a clear preference in these situations.

  • Family and friends involved in your care. You may tell us whether we may share information with family, close friends, or others involved in your care or payment. If you cannot tell us (for example, if you are unconscious), we may share information if we believe it is in your best interest.
  • Appointment reminders and messages. We may contact you by phone, mail, email, or text message about appointments, treatment, and follow-up. You may ask us to use a different method. You can opt out of text messages at any time by replying STOP.
  • Marketing. We will never sell your health information. We will not use or share it for marketing without your written authorization, except for face-to-face communications or promotional gifts of nominal value. Promotional text messages are sent only to patients who opt in separately.
  • Fundraising. We do not currently use health information for fundraising. If we ever do, you will have a clear opportunity to opt out of fundraising communications.

How we use and share your information

Without your written authorization, we typically use or share your information to:

  • Treat you. For example, we may share x-rays with an oral surgeon, periodontist, or dental lab working on your care.
  • Bill for your services. For example, we may give information about your treatment to your dental insurer to get payment, or to you.
  • Run our practice. For example, we may use your information for quality review, staff training, scheduling, and appointment reminders.
  • Work with business associates. We use vendors (such as our practice management software, communication platform, and billing services) who must sign agreements to protect your information.

We may also share your information without your authorization when the law allows or requires it, including to:

  • Comply with federal, state, or local law, including when HHS asks to check our compliance
  • Help with public health and safety, such as reporting disease, product problems, suspected abuse or neglect, or preventing a serious threat to someone’s health or safety
  • Respond to health oversight agencies for audits, investigations, and licensing
  • Respond to lawsuits and legal actions, in response to a court order or administrative order, or a subpoena with the required assurances
  • Respond to law enforcement requests as permitted by law
  • Work with a medical examiner, coroner, or funeral director
  • Support organ and tissue donation
  • Address workers’ compensation claims
  • Support certain government functions, such as military, national security, and protective services
  • Assist with research approved under HIPAA’s privacy protections

All other uses require your written permission. This includes most sharing of psychotherapy notes, any marketing, and any sale of your information. You may revoke your authorization in writing at any time, except to the extent we have already acted on it.

Substance use disorder treatment records

We are not a substance use disorder treatment program. However, we may receive records from programs covered by federal law at 42 CFR Part 2 (for example, if you share them with us or another provider sends them as part of your care). Those records have extra protections.

  • We will use and share Part 2 records only as that law allows, which in many cases requires your written consent, even for treatment, payment, or our operations.
  • Substance use disorder treatment records received from programs subject to 42 CFR Part 2, or testimony relaying the content of such records, will not be used or disclosed in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative proceedings against you unless you give written consent, or a court orders it after you or the record holder receive notice and an opportunity to be heard. A court order authorizing use or disclosure must be accompanied by a subpoena or other legal requirement compelling disclosure before the record is used or disclosed.
  • We will not use Part 2 records for fundraising unless you are first given a clear opportunity to opt out.

Redisclosure and other laws

  • Redisclosure. When we share your information as described in this notice, the person or organization that receives it may share it again. Once that happens, your information may no longer be protected by federal privacy rules.
  • Stricter laws. Some federal and Maryland laws give certain information more protection than HIPAA, such as substance use disorder records, mental health information, HIV/AIDS information, and genetic information. When a stricter law applies, we follow it, including the Maryland Confidentiality of Medical Records Act.
  • Electronic communications. Email and text messages are not always secure. If you ask us to communicate with you this way, we will, and we will use reasonable safeguards. You can ask us to use a different method at any time.

Our responsibilities

  • We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
  • We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
  • We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
  • We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing.

Changes to this notice

We may change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available on request, in our office, and on our website.

Contact and effective date

Privacy Officer: Renee Djawdan, Office Manager KIAN DJAWDAN DMD PA (Djawdan Center for Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry) 133 Defense Highway, Suite 210, Annapolis, MD 21401 410-927-1767 · info@smileannapolis.com

Effective date: November 10, 2026

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