Privacy Policy & HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Last updated: March 18, 2026
Hutto Hippo Family Dental (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of your health information and personal data. This page serves two purposes: (1) our HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, required by federal law, and (2) our Website Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect and use information through this website.
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
Our Obligations
We are required by law to:
- Maintain the privacy of your protected health information (PHI)
- Provide you with this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices
- Follow the terms of the notice currently in effect
- Notify you in the event of a breach of your unsecured PHI
How We May Use and Disclose Your Health Information
Treatment. We may use and share your health information to provide, coordinate, and manage your dental care. For example, we may share information with a specialist or other provider involved in your treatment.
Payment. We may use and share your health information to bill and collect payment for your dental services. For example, we may share information with your dental insurance company to obtain payment.
Health Care Operations. We may use and share your health information to run our practice. For example, we may use your information to evaluate the quality of care we provide or to train staff.
Appointment Reminders. We may contact you to remind you of upcoming appointments by phone, text, or email.
Treatment Alternatives. We may tell you about treatment options or health-related services that may be of interest to you.
Required by Law. We will share your health information when required to do so by federal, state, or local law.
Public Health and Safety. We may share your information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to public health or safety.
Business Associates. We may share your information with third-party vendors (“business associates”) who perform services on our behalf, such as billing services or IT support. These parties are required by contract to protect your information.
Uses and Disclosures Requiring Your Authorization
For uses and disclosures not described above—including most uses of psychotherapy notes, uses for marketing purposes, or the sale of your health information—we will ask for your written authorization. You may revoke your authorization at any time by contacting us in writing, except where we have already acted in reliance on your authorization.
Your Rights
Right to Access. You have the right to request a copy of your health information, including dental records and billing records. We may charge a reasonable fee for copying and mailing.
Right to Amend. If you believe information in your records is incorrect or incomplete, you may request an amendment. We may deny your request under certain circumstances.
Right to an Accounting of Disclosures. You have the right to request a list of certain disclosures we have made of your health information.
Right to Restrict Disclosures. You may request that we limit how we use or share your health information. We are required to agree to a restriction if: (1) the disclosure is to your health plan for payment or operations purposes, and (2) you have paid in full out of pocket. We will otherwise consider your request but are not required to agree.
Right to Confidential Communications. You may request that we communicate with you at a specific address or phone number. We will accommodate reasonable requests.
Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice. You may request a printed copy of this notice at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.
Right to File a Complaint. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at:
Privacy Contact Hutto Hippo Family Dental 401 Exchange Blvd, Bldg. 2-A Hutto, Texas 78634 Phone: (512) 806-7740 Email: office@huttohippofamilydental.com
Website Privacy Policy
Information We Collect on This Website
Contact Form. When you submit our contact or appointment request form, we collect your name, phone number, email address, and any message you include. We use this information solely to respond to your inquiry and schedule appointments. We do not sell this information to third parties.
Analytics. This website uses Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how visitors use our site. GA4 collects anonymized data such as pages visited, session duration, and general geographic region. This data does not identify you personally. You may opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Cookies. Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support site functionality and analytics. You may configure your browser to refuse cookies, though some site features may not function properly.
No Health Information via Website Forms. Please do not submit protected health information (PHI)—such as diagnosis details, treatment history, or insurance information—through the website contact form. For matters involving your health information, please call our office directly at (512) 806-7740.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information collected through this website to:
- Respond to appointment requests and general inquiries
- Improve website content and user experience
- Comply with legal obligations
Data Retention
Contact form submissions are retained for a reasonable period to follow up on your inquiry and are then deleted. Analytics data is retained per Google Analytics standard retention settings.
Texas Privacy Rights
If you are a Texas resident, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) provides you with rights regarding personal data we collect through this website, including the right to know, access, correct, delete, and opt out of the sale or targeted advertising of your personal data. To submit a request, contact us at office@huttohippofamilydental.com.
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. This privacy policy applies to our website only. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.
Contact Us
For questions about this privacy policy or your rights:
Hutto Hippo Family Dental 401 Exchange Blvd, Bldg. 2-A, Hutto, Texas 78634 Phone: (512) 806-7740 Email: office@huttohippofamilydental.com