Privacy Policy

Effective Date: August 11, 2026
Last Updated: August 11, 2026

Friendly Dental of Somerset (“Friendly Dental,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share when you visit https://www.friendlydental.us/ (the “Website”), contact our office, or request an appointment.

This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, when we may share it, and the choices available to you.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us through the Website, including when you submit an appointment request, contact form, or other inquiry.

This information may include:

• Full name
• Email address
• Mobile or telephone number
• Date of birth
• Preferred appointment date and time
• Requested dental service
• Message or information you provide about your inquiry
• SMS communication consent and preferences
• Any other information you choose to submit

We may also automatically collect limited technical information when you use the Website, such as:

• IP address
• Browser type and device information
• Pages visited and time spent on the Website
• Referring website or search source
• Cookie and similar technology data

2. How We Use Information

Friendly Dental may use your information to:

• Respond to appointment requests, questions, and service inquiries
• Contact you to schedule, confirm, reschedule, or remind you about appointments
• Provide information about dental services, insurance, payment options, and patient resources
• Communicate about your requested treatment or care coordination
• Send SMS messages when you have provided the required consent
• Improve the Website, patient experience, and our services
• Protect the security, integrity, and proper functioning of the Website
• Meet legal, regulatory, professional, and recordkeeping obligations

Submitting an appointment inquiry through the Website does not establish a dentist-patient relationship and does not guarantee an appointment, diagnosis, treatment, or emergency response.

3. Health Information and HIPAA

Friendly Dental is committed to safeguarding patient information. Certain health information created, received, maintained, or transmitted by our practice may be protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) and other applicable laws.

This Website Privacy Policy applies to information collected through the Website. It does not replace a separate Notice of Privacy Practices, which explains how protected health information may be used and disclosed, patient rights regarding that information, and the practice’s legal responsibilities as a healthcare provider.

Please do not submit highly sensitive medical, insurance, financial, or treatment information through general Website forms unless specifically requested through a secure method provided by the office.

4. Appointment Requests

When you submit an appointment request, the details you provide may be used to contact you, verify availability, and help coordinate the requested visit.

An appointment request is not a confirmation of an appointment. The office will contact the patient to confirm the date, time, service, and any required patient information.

For dental emergencies, do not rely solely on an online form. Please call the office at (732) 649-3860. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or seek immediate emergency medical care.

5. SMS Text Messages

If you voluntarily opt in to receive SMS text messages from Friendly Dental, the practice may send appointment reminders, scheduling updates, office notifications, and other practice-related communications to the mobile number provided.

• Message frequency may vary.
• Message and data rates may apply.
• Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of purchasing services or receiving dental care.
• You may opt out at any time by replying STOP.
• For assistance, reply HELP or contact (732) 649-3860.

Service providers may be used to deliver text-message communications on the practice’s behalf. These providers may process phone numbers and message-related data only as needed to provide those services.

6. Cookies and Analytics

Cookies, similar technologies, and third-party tools may be used to understand how visitors use the Website, improve performance, remember preferences, and help protect forms from spam or misuse.

Users can generally manage or disable cookies through browser settings, although disabling cookies may affect certain Website features.

The Website may use third-party services such as website hosting, security tools, embedded video platforms, mapping services, analytics providers, social-media platforms, and spam-prevention services. Those providers may collect information under their own privacy policies.

7. How We Share Information

Friendly Dental does not sell personal information.

Information may be shared as reasonably necessary with:

• Authorized team members who need it to respond to inquiries or provide services
• Service providers supporting Website hosting, communication tools, appointment management, security, analytics, and technical operations
• Professional advisors, insurers, auditors, or governmental authorities when legally required or appropriate
• Law-enforcement, regulatory, or legal authorities when required by law or necessary to protect rights, safety, property, or security
• A successor organization in the event of a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or transfer of practice assets, subject to applicable law

Where information is protected health information, it should be handled in accordance with applicable HIPAA requirements and the practice’s Notice of Privacy Practices.

8. Data Security

Reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards may be used to protect personal information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.

However, no online transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Users should avoid sending sensitive health or financial information through unsecured channels.

9. Data Retention

Personal information may be retained for as long as reasonably necessary to respond to requests, provide services, comply with legal and professional obligations, resolve disputes, maintain records, and enforce agreements.

Medical and patient records may be retained for longer periods as required by applicable healthcare, licensing, insurance, and record-retention laws.

10. Children’s Privacy

The Website is not designed to knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 without appropriate parental or guardian involvement.

Parents or legal guardians may submit appointment information for a minor. If information is believed to have been provided by a child without appropriate authorization, the office should be contacted for review and removal where appropriate.

11. Third-Party Links

The Website may include links to third-party websites, including social-media platforms, video providers, insurance resources, or other services. Friendly Dental is not responsible for the privacy, content, or security practices of third-party websites.

Users should review the privacy policy of any third-party site before providing information.

12. Your Choices and Requests

Subject to applicable law, users may request access to, correction of, or deletion of certain personal information held by the practice. Users may also withdraw marketing or SMS consent as described above.

To make a privacy-related request, contact the office using the details below. Identity verification may be required before processing the request.

13. Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date.

14. Contact Us

Friendly Dental of Somerset
31 Clyde Road, Suite 101
Somerset, NJ 08873
Phone: (732) 649-3860
Email: info@friendlydental.us