Northern Dental Centre
Effective Date: November 5, 2026
Last Updated: November 5, 2026
At Northern Dental Centre, we value the trust you place in us and are committed to protecting your privacy. We understand the importance of safeguarding your personal information, particularly when it relates to your health and dental care.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, maintain, disclose, and protect information obtained through our website, online forms, electronic communications, and text messaging services.
By using our website or providing information through our online services, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect personal information when you visit our website, request an appointment, complete an online form, contact our office, or communicate with our team.
Depending on your interactions with us, this information may include:
- Full name
- Email address
- Telephone or mobile phone number
- Mailing address
- Appointment requests and scheduling preferences
- Information voluntarily submitted through contact forms
- Dental concerns, medical history, or treatment inquiries
- Insurance or billing information, when applicable
- Communication preferences and consent records
- Information provided through email, telephone, or SMS communications
We may also automatically collect certain technical information when you visit our website, including your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, referral sources, and general website usage information.
We collect information reasonably necessary to provide our services, respond to inquiries, improve patient communications, and operate our website, in accordance with applicable privacy legislation.
2. How We Use Your Information
We may use personal information for the following purposes:
- Responding to inquiries and appointment requests
- Scheduling, confirming, and managing appointments
- Providing dental care and related patient services
- Communicating important practice information
- Sending appointment reminders and treatment-related follow-ups
- Processing payments and insurance-related inquiries
- Improving our website and patient experience
- Monitoring website performance and service effectiveness
- Maintaining accurate patient and communication records
- Complying with applicable legal, regulatory, and professional obligations
- Sending promotional communications where appropriate consent has been obtained
We collect, use, and disclose personal information only as permitted or required by applicable law and obtain additional consent where necessary.
3. Patient Health Information
As a dental healthcare provider operating in Alberta, Northern Dental Centre recognizes the sensitive nature of patient health information.
Our handling of individually identifying health information is governed by Alberta’s Health Information Act (HIA), where applicable, along with other relevant provincial and federal privacy legislation.
We are committed to protecting the confidentiality, accuracy, and security of patient health information.
Patient information may be collected, used, or disclosed for purposes permitted by law, including:
- Providing dental assessments, diagnosis, and treatment
- Coordinating care with authorized healthcare providers
- Maintaining patient records and treatment histories
- Processing insurance claims and payments
- Supporting administrative and operational activities associated with patient care
- Meeting professional, regulatory, and legal requirements
We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect patient information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or misuse.
Patients may request access to or correction of their health information, subject to applicable legal requirements.
4. Website Forms and Online Inquiries
When you submit an appointment request, contact form, or other inquiry through our website, we use the information provided to respond to your request and assist you with the services you are seeking.
Submitting a website form does not automatically constitute consent to receive promotional text messages.
Where SMS consent is requested, we provide a separate, optional consent mechanism explaining the types of communications you may receive.
We recommend that patients avoid submitting highly sensitive medical, financial, or personal information through general website contact forms unless the form is specifically designated as a secure method of communication.
5. SMS and Text Messaging Privacy
Northern Dental Centre may use SMS text messaging to communicate with patients and individuals who have provided the appropriate consent.
Depending on the services offered and the consent obtained, text communications may include:
- Appointment scheduling and confirmations
- Appointment reminders
- Responses to patient inquiries
- Treatment-related follow-up communications
- General office updates and patient service notifications
- Billing-related notifications, where applicable
- Promotional messages and special offers, only where appropriate marketing consent has been obtained
The specific messages you receive will depend on your relationship with our practice, your communication preferences, and the consent you have provided.
SMS Information We Collect
When you participate in our text messaging program, we may collect and maintain:
- Your name and mobile telephone number
- Your SMS consent and communication preferences
- The date, time, and method of consent
- Messages exchanged with our office
- Message delivery information
- Requests to unsubscribe or modify communication preferences
This information is used to administer our messaging services, respond to patient inquiries, maintain communication records, and comply with applicable requirements.
SMS Consent
We obtain consent before sending text messages in accordance with applicable laws and carrier requirements.
Consent may be collected through website forms, patient registration documents, written authorization, or documented verbal communications, where legally permitted for the type of message being sent.
Where consent is collected through our website, the SMS consent checkbox is optional and is not preselected.
Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of receiving dental treatment or purchasing services from our practice.
SMS Opt-Out
You may withdraw your consent to receive SMS communications at any time by replying STOP to a text message from our office.
After your request is processed, you will no longer receive messages covered by that subscription unless you provide renewed consent.
For assistance, reply HELP or contact our office directly at (780) 306-4320 or [email protected].
Message frequency may vary. Standard message and data rates may apply according to your wireless carrier.
SMS Privacy and Information Sharing
No mobile opt-in information or text messaging consent will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
We do not sell, rent, or disclose SMS subscriber information to third parties for their independent marketing activities.
We may share limited information with authorized service providers solely to facilitate text message delivery, maintain communication records, provide technical support, or perform related services on our behalf.
These service providers must handle information in accordance with applicable privacy and security obligations.
Mobile opt-in data and SMS consent records will not be disclosed to third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional use.
SMS Security
Standard SMS messages may not be encrypted throughout transmission and should not be considered a secure method for exchanging sensitive health information.
We take reasonable precautions to limit the sensitive information included in text communications.
Patients who prefer an alternative communication method may contact our office to discuss available options.
6. Third-Party Service Providers
We may engage authorized third-party providers to support the operation of our website, patient communications, and business services.
These providers may include:
- Website hosting and maintenance providers
- Appointment scheduling systems
- Practice management software providers
- SMS and telecommunications providers, including Mango Voice
- Email communication providers
- Website analytics and performance measurement services
- Payment processing providers
- Other technology providers supporting practice operations
We disclose only the information reasonably necessary for these providers to perform authorized services, or as otherwise permitted or required by law.
Where applicable, we maintain contractual, confidentiality, privacy, and security protections with service providers that process personal or health information on our behalf.
We do not authorize service providers to use patient information for unrelated purposes.
7. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve functionality, understand visitor activity, and evaluate website performance.
Cookies may help us:
- Maintain essential website functionality
- Understand how visitors navigate our website
- Identify technical issues
- Measure website traffic and engagement
- Improve content and usability
- Evaluate the effectiveness of our marketing activities
Depending on the tools enabled on our website, certain information may be processed by third-party analytics or advertising platforms.
You may manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.
Where required by applicable law, we will provide additional choices or obtain consent before using nonessential tracking technologies.
We take steps to avoid disclosing identifiable patient health information to advertising or analytics platforms in a manner prohibited by applicable privacy legislation.
8. Marketing and Promotional Communications
With appropriate consent, we may send communications about practice updates, available services, educational resources, or special offers.
Electronic marketing communications are managed in accordance with applicable Canadian legislation, including Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), where applicable.
You may unsubscribe from marketing emails using the unsubscribe instructions provided in those messages.
You may opt out of promotional SMS messages by replying STOP.
We respect your communication preferences and maintain procedures to process applicable opt-out requests.
Opting out of marketing communications does not necessarily prevent us from contacting you regarding appointments, treatment, billing, or other communications permitted by law.
9. How We Protect Your Information
We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, disclosure, or alteration.
Depending on the information and systems involved, these measures may include:
- Access controls and user authentication
- Secure website connections
- System monitoring and security updates
- Restricted access to patient information
- Staff confidentiality and privacy procedures
- Appropriate data storage and backup practices
- Security requirements for authorized service providers
Although we take privacy and security seriously, no electronic communication or internet-based system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
We encourage patients to avoid transmitting highly sensitive information through unsecured communication channels.
10. Information Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, provide patient services, maintain appropriate records, and satisfy applicable legal or regulatory obligations.
Patient records are retained in accordance with applicable Alberta legislation and professional requirements established by the relevant regulatory authorities.
SMS consent records, communication histories, and opt-out information may be retained as necessary to document compliance, manage communication preferences, and resolve disputes.
When information is no longer required and applicable retention obligations have been satisfied, we take reasonable steps to securely delete, destroy, or de-identify it, where appropriate.
11. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on applicable law and the nature of the information involved, you may have rights to:
- Request access to your personal or health information
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Request information about how your personal information is collected, used, or disclosed
- Withdraw consent for optional communications, subject to applicable legal limitations
- Express concerns about certain disclosures of health information
- Submit a privacy-related concern or complaint
- Request an independent review of certain decisions involving access to or correction of health information
Certain requests may be subject to legal exceptions, identity verification requirements, or healthcare record retention obligations.
To exercise an applicable privacy right, please contact Northern Dental Centre using the information provided below.
Individuals may also contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta regarding applicable privacy concerns.
12. Children’s Privacy
Northern Dental Centre may provide dental services to children and adolescents.
Personal and health information relating to minor patients is collected, used, and maintained in accordance with applicable Alberta healthcare privacy laws and consent requirements.
Parents or legal guardians may be involved in decisions concerning a minor’s information, subject to applicable laws recognizing the privacy and consent rights of capable minors.
Our website is not intended to independently collect personal information from children without appropriate authorization.
Parents or legal guardians with questions about a minor patient’s information should contact our office.
13. External Websites and Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, services, or resources.
These external websites operate independently and may have their own privacy policies and information-handling practices.
Northern Dental Centre is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of independently operated third-party websites.
We encourage visitors to review the privacy policies of external websites before providing personal information.
14. Data Transfers and Storage
Information collected through our website and communication services may be processed or stored by authorized service providers operating in Canada or other jurisdictions.
Where applicable, we take reasonable steps to ensure that personal information remains subject to appropriate contractual, technical, and legal safeguards.
Information processed outside Canada may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is stored or processed.
Any transfer, storage, or processing of patient health information must comply with applicable Alberta and Canadian privacy requirements.
15. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our services, technology, privacy practices, or applicable legal requirements.
When changes are made, we will update the effective date or last revised date displayed at the beginning of this policy.
We encourage visitors to review this page periodically to remain informed about how we protect personal information.
Where required by law, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent for material changes.
16. Contact Information
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, your personal information, or our communication practices, please contact:
Northern Dental Centre
10014 102 Ave, Unit 201
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0Z7
Canada
Phone: (780) 306-4320
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.northerndentalcentre.ca/
For questions regarding text messaging, you may also reply HELP to a message received from our practice or contact our office directly.
We are committed to addressing privacy inquiries promptly and appropriately.