Privacy policy

P R I VA C Y P O L I C Y

Effective Date: June 25, 2026  |  Last Updated: June 25, 2026  |  ashleyriverorthodontics.com

Ashley River Orthodontics ("we," "us," or "our"), an orthodontic practice led by Dr. Sarah McKee and located at 811 St Andrews Blvd, Unit C, Charleston, SC 29407, respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use and protect it, and the choices you have. It applies to information collected through our website at ashleyriverorthodontics.com, through our text messaging and other communications, and in the course of providing orthodontic services.

1. Information We Collect
We collect information that you provide directly to us, information collected automatically when you use our website, and health information collected in connection with your care:
-Information you provide: your name, mobile and home phone numbers, email address, mailing address, date of birth, insurance details, and any information you submit through our website forms, when you call or text our office, or when you become a patient.
-Health information: dental and medical history, treatment records, images, and related clinical information necessary to provide orthodontic care. This information is handled as Protected Health Information under HIPAA, as described in Section 6.
-Automatically collected information: device and browser type, IP address, pages viewed, and similar usage data gathered through cookies and analytics tools when you visit our website.

2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
-Provide, coordinate, and manage your orthodontic treatment and care.
-Schedule, confirm, and remind you of appointments.
-Communicate with you about your treatment, account, billing, and insurance.
-Respond to your questions, requests, and form submissions.
-Operate, maintain, and improve our website and services.
-Comply with legal, regulatory, and professional obligations.

3. SMS / Text Messaging Communications
With your consent, we send text (SMS) messages to the mobile number you provide. The following terms apply to our text messaging program.
-Consent and opt-in
By providing your mobile phone number and opting in (through our website forms, our new patient and consent forms, in our office, or by texting our office number), you agree to receive text messages from Ashley River Orthodontics. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of purchasing any product or receiving any orthodontic service.
-Types of messages
Messages may include appointment reminders and confirmations, scheduling communications, treatment and account updates, billing and insurance notifications, and general communications from our office.
-Message frequency, rates, and delivery
Message frequency varies based on your interactions with our office and your appointments. Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile carrier and plan. Mobile carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
-Opt-out and help
You can opt out of receiving text messages at any time by replying STOP to any message you receive from us. After you send STOP, you will receive one final message confirming that you have been unsubscribed, and no further text messages will be sent unless you re-enroll. For help, reply HELP or contact our office at (843) 410-3471.
-Privacy of your mobile information
No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent will not beshared with any third parties, excluding aggregators and providers of the text messaging services that help us deliver the messages you have requested.

4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share information only as needed to operate our practice and as permitted or required by law, including with:
-Service providers who perform functions on our behalf, such as our text messaging and communications platform, scheduling and practice management software, payment processors, and website hosting, who are permitted to use the information only to provide services to us.
-Insurers, referring or treating providers, and laboratories involved in your care, consistent with HIPAA.
-Authorities or other parties when required by law, regulation, legal process, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of our patients, staff, or practice.

As stated in Section 3, text messaging opt-in data and consent are never shared with third parties for marketing or promotional purposes.

5. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to remember your preferences, understand how visitors use the site, and improve performance. You can adjust your browser settings to refuse or delete cookies, though some features of the site may not function properly as a result.

6. Protected Health Information (HIPAA)
As a healthcare provider, our use and disclosure of your Protected Health Information is governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and applicable state law. Our separate Notice of Privacy Practices describes in detail how your health information may be used and disclosed and the rights you have regarding that information. A copy is available at our office upon request. Where HIPAA applies, its protections govern the handling of your health information.

7. Data Security
We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the personal information we hold against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Children's Privacy
We provide orthodontic care to patients of all ages, including minors, and collect information about minor patients from their parents or legal guardians in the course of treatment. Our website is not directed to children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13 without parental consent. A parent or guardian who believes we have collected such information may contact us to have it removed.

9. Your Choices and Rights
You may review or request updates to your personal information by contacting our office. You may opt out of text messages as described in Section 3, and you may opt out of marketing emails by following the unsubscribe instructions in those messages. Opting out of certain communications does not affect messages necessary to your care or account. Depending on your state of residence, you may have additional rights regarding your personal information, which we will honor as required by applicable law.

10. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services that we do not control. This PrivacyPolicy does not apply to those sites, and we encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third party site you visit.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last Updated" date above and post the current version on our website. Your continued use of our website or services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

12. Contact Us
‍If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
Ashley River Orthodontics
811 St Andrews Blvd, Unit C, Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: (843) 410-3471
Email: info@ashleyriverorthodontics.com
Website: ashleyriverorthodontics.com