HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices

Effective Date: November 4, 2026

Paradise Periodontics
Jennifer K. Fiorica, DMD, MSD
2904 Bee Ridge Rd
Sarasota, FL 34239
Phone: (941) 927-4308
Email: PARADISEPERIO@tdn.care

Notice of Privacy Practices

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

At Paradise Periodontics, we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your personal health information. We understand that information about your health and periodontal treatment is personal, and we are dedicated to safeguarding it in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and applicable federal and state laws.

This Notice of Privacy Practices explains how we may use and disclose your protected health information (PHI), your rights regarding that information, and our legal responsibilities for maintaining its privacy.

Our Responsibilities

Paradise Periodontics is required by law to:

  • Maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
  • Provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices describing our legal duties and privacy practices.
  • Follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.
  • Notify you if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your unsecured protected health information.
  • Comply with applicable federal and state privacy laws.

How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information

We may use and disclose your protected health information for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations without obtaining your written authorization, as permitted by law.

1. Treatment

We may use and disclose your health information to provide, coordinate, or manage your periodontal and dental care. This may include sharing information with other dentists, physicians, dental specialists, dental laboratories, and healthcare providers involved in your treatment.

For example, Dr. Jennifer Fiorica may share relevant treatment information with your referring dentist to coordinate periodontal therapy, dental implant treatment, or follow-up care.

2. Payment

We may use and disclose your health information to obtain payment for services provided to you. This may include verifying insurance coverage, submitting claims, obtaining prior authorizations, and processing payments.

3. Healthcare Operations

We may use and disclose your health information for activities necessary to operate our practice, including quality assessment, staff training, auditing, licensing, administrative services, and practice management.

4. Appointment Reminders

We may contact you by telephone, email, text message, or other appropriate means to remind you of upcoming appointments, provide treatment instructions, or communicate information related to your care, consistent with applicable law.

5. Treatment Alternatives and Health-Related Services

We may provide information about treatment alternatives, periodontal maintenance, dental implant services, and other health-related services that may be beneficial to your oral health.

6. Business Associates

We may disclose protected health information to third-party business associates who provide services on our behalf, including billing, information technology, and administrative support. When required by law, these parties must agree to appropriately safeguard your protected health information.

Other Uses and Disclosures Permitted by Law

We may use or disclose your protected health information without your authorization in certain circumstances permitted or required by law, including:

  • Required by Law: When disclosure is required by federal, state, or local law.
  • Public Health Activities: For reporting diseases, preventing or controlling health risks, or other authorized public health purposes.
  • Abuse or Neglect: To report suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence when permitted or required by law.
  • Health Oversight: For authorized audits, investigations, inspections, and licensing.
  • Legal Proceedings: In response to lawful court orders, subpoenas, or other legal processes when applicable requirements are met.
  • Law Enforcement: For certain law enforcement purposes permitted by law.
  • Serious Threats to Health or Safety: To prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to an individual or the public.
  • Workers' Compensation: As authorized by applicable workers' compensation laws.
  • Other Permitted Purposes: For additional uses and disclosures expressly authorized or required under HIPAA and applicable laws.

Uses and Disclosures Requiring Written Authorization

Uses and disclosures of protected health information not otherwise permitted or required by law generally require your written authorization.

Written authorization is generally required for:

  • Most uses and disclosures for marketing purposes.
  • Disclosures that constitute a sale of protected health information.
  • Most uses and disclosures of psychotherapy notes, if applicable.
  • Other purposes requiring authorization under applicable law.

You may revoke your written authorization at any time by submitting a written request. Revocation will not affect any action already taken in reliance on your authorization.

Your Rights Regarding Your Health Information

Under HIPAA, you have specific rights concerning your protected health information.

1. Right to Inspect and Obtain a Copy

You have the right to inspect and obtain a copy of your health information maintained in a designated record set, including applicable dental records, treatment plans, and billing information.

You may request an electronic copy when available. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee as permitted by law.

2. Right to Request an Amendment

If you believe that information in your dental or medical records is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment.

We may deny an amendment request under certain circumstances, but we will provide an explanation as required by law.

3. Right to Request an Accounting of Disclosures

You have the right to request an accounting of certain disclosures of your protected health information made during the applicable period, subject to exceptions established by law.

4. Right to Request Restrictions

You may request restrictions on how we use or disclose your protected health information for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.

We are generally not required to agree to such requests. However, if you pay in full out of pocket for a healthcare item or service, we must generally honor your request not to disclose information about that item or service to your health plan for payment or healthcare operations, unless disclosure is required by law.

5. Right to Request Confidential Communications

You may request that we contact you about your health information through alternative means or at an alternative location.

We will accommodate reasonable requests.

6. Right to Receive a Paper Copy

You have the right to receive a paper copy of this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time, even if you have agreed to receive it electronically.

7. Right to Be Notified of a Breach

You have the right to receive notification following a breach of unsecured protected health information when required by law.

8. Right to Choose a Personal Representative

If you have legally authorized another person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf, that person may exercise your privacy rights as permitted by applicable law.

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of the rights described in this notice, please contact Paradise Periodontics using the information provided below.

Certain requests may need to be submitted in writing. Our team will explain the applicable procedures and respond within the timeframes required by law.

Changes to This Notice

Paradise Periodontics reserves the right to revise this Notice of Privacy Practices at any time. Any revised notice may apply to all protected health information maintained by our practice, including information collected before the revision.

The current version of this notice will be available at our office and on our website.

Questions or Complaints

If you have questions about this notice, wish to exercise your privacy rights, or believe your privacy rights have been violated, please contact our office.

Paradise Periodontics
Jennifer K. Fiorica, DMD, MSD
2904 Bee Ridge Rd
Sarasota, FL 34239
Phone: (941) 927-4308
Email: PARADISEPERIO@tdn.care
Website: www.paradiseperiodontics.com

You may also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Civil Rights
Website: www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints

Paradise Periodontics will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint or exercising your privacy rights.