Privacy Policy and Notice of Privacy Practices

Cocozzo Family Dentistry

Dr. Christina Cocozzo, DDS

4 Hemphill Place, Suite 151, Malta, NY 12020

(518) 899-5800 · cocozzofamilydentistry@gmail.com

Effective date: September 24, 2026

Your privacy matters to us. This page explains two things. First, what happens to the information you share on this website. Second, how we protect your health information as a patient of our practice.

Part 1: Website Privacy

What we collect when you contact us

When you fill out a form on this site, we ask for the details we need to reach you and book your visit. That is usually your name, phone number, email address, and the service you are asking about. We use this information to answer your question, schedule appointments, and follow up with you. We do not sell it.

What is collected automatically

Like most websites, this site and the services that run it may record basic technical information when you visit. That can include your IP address, browser type, device type, the pages you view, and the time of your visit. We use it to keep the site secure and to understand which pages are helpful. It does not identify you by name.

Cookies and embedded content

This site may use cookies, small files stored by your browser, to remember preferences and measure traffic. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings. The site still works without them.

Some pages show content from other services, such as our Google reviews, our Instagram feed, videos, and maps. Those services may set their own cookies and collect information under their own privacy policies. We do not control them.

Text messages (SMS)

If you give us your mobile number and agree to receive texts, we may send appointment reminders, scheduling updates, and replies to your questions. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out at any time, or HELP for help. You can also call us at (518) 899-5800.

We do not share your mobile number or text messaging consent with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Text messaging opt-in data and consent will not be shared with any third party, except the service providers who deliver our messages on our behalf.

How we protect your information

We use secure (encrypted) connections for our forms and limit access to the people and service providers who need it to serve you. No system is perfectly secure, but we take reasonable steps to protect your information, as New York law requires.

When we share information

We share website information only:

With service providers who help us run the site, forms, scheduling, and messages, and only for that purpose
When the law requires it, or to protect the safety of our patients, our team, or the public
With your permission

Children

This site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their information online. Parents and guardians can schedule visits for children by calling us.

Your choices

You can ask us to update or delete the contact information you sent through this website. You can unsubscribe from emails using the link in any email, and stop texts by replying STOP. Call us at (518) 899-5800 or email cocozzofamilydentistry@gmail.com.

Part 2: Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA)

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.

Our duty to you

The law requires us to keep your protected health information private, to give you this notice of our legal duties and privacy practices, and to follow the notice currently in effect. We will tell you if a breach affects the privacy of your health information. We may change this notice, and any change will apply to all information we hold. The current notice is always available at our office and on this page.

How we may use and share your health information

Treatment. To provide and coordinate your dental care, including with specialists, labs, and other providers involved in your care.
Payment. To bill and get paid by you, your insurance plan, or another payer.
Health care operations. To run our practice, improve care, train staff, and meet quality and licensing requirements.
Appointment reminders. To remind you of visits by phone, text, email, or mail, and to tell you about treatment options related to your care.
Family and friends. To share information with a person involved in your care or payment, unless you tell us not to.
Business associates. With companies that do work for us, such as billing, software, and messaging services. They must protect your information by contract.
As required by law. For public health reporting, reporting abuse or neglect, health oversight, lawsuits and legal orders, law enforcement, preventing serious threats to health or safety, workers' compensation, and other purposes the law allows or requires.

Uses that need your written permission

We will not use or share your health information for marketing, sell it, or use it for any purpose not described in this notice without your written authorization. You may cancel an authorization in writing at any time, except for actions we already took in reliance on it.

Your rights

Get a copy of your records. Ask for a paper or electronic copy of your dental records. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
Ask us to correct your records. If you think something is wrong or missing, ask us to fix it. We may say no, but we will tell you why in writing.
Ask for confidential communications. Ask us to contact you a certain way, such as a different phone number or address. We will agree to reasonable requests.
Ask us to limit what we use or share. We are not required to agree, except that if you pay for a service in full out of pocket, you can ask us not to share it with your health plan, and we will agree unless the law requires otherwise.
Get a list of disclosures. Ask for a list of the times we shared your information in the past six years, other than for treatment, payment, operations, and certain other purposes.
Get a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you agreed to receive it electronically.
File a complaint. If you believe your privacy rights were violated, contact us using the details below. You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, at hhs.gov/ocr/complaints. We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Questions or complaints

Privacy Officer, Cocozzo Family Dentistry