Privacy Policy

Dr. Mark Babbitt | drmarkbabbitt.com

Effective Date: October 7, 2026
Last Updated: October 7, 2026

1. Introduction

The dental practice of Dr. Mark Babbitt ("Practice," "we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This California Privacy Policy ("Policy") explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information when you visit https://drmarkbabbitt.com/ (the "Website"), communicate with our office, schedule an appointment, or sign up to receive text messages from us.

This Policy is designed to meet the requirements of the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (together, the "CCPA"), and its implementing regulations. It applies to all visitors, patients, and consumers who reside in the State of California ("you" or "your").

Relationship to Our Notice of Privacy Practices. As a dental healthcare provider, we are a "covered entity" under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 ("HIPAA") and are subject to the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act ("CMIA"). Protected health information ("PHI") and medical information that we collect while providing dental care are governed by our separate Notice of Privacy Practices, which is available in our office and upon request. Under the CCPA, PHI and medical information governed by HIPAA or the CMIA are exempt from this Policy. This Policy covers all other personal information, such as information collected through the Website, online forms, cookies, and our SMS messaging program.

By using the Website or providing personal information to us, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that identifies, relates to, describes, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular consumer or household ("Personal Information"). Personal Information does not include publicly available information, deidentified or aggregated information, or information excluded from the CCPA's scope, such as PHI governed by HIPAA.

2.1 Categories of Personal Information Collected

In the preceding twelve (12) months, we have collected the following categories of Personal Information:

Category	Examples	Collected
A. Identifiers	Name, postal address, email address, telephone number, mobile phone number, IP address, online identifiers	Yes
B. Personal information described in Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.80(e)	Name, address, telephone number, insurance policy number, payment card information	Yes
C. Protected classification characteristics	Age, date of birth, gender	Yes
D. Commercial information	Records of services requested, appointment history, payment and billing records	Yes
E. Biometric information	Fingerprints, faceprints, voiceprints	No
F. Internet or other electronic network activity	Browser type, device type, pages viewed, time spent on pages, referring URLs, interactions with the Website	Yes
G. Geolocation data	Approximate location derived from IP address	Yes
H. Sensory data	Recordings of phone calls placed to our office (where permitted by law and with notice)	Yes
I. Professional or employment information	Employer name, information submitted with job applications	Yes
J. Education information	Non-public education records	No
K. Inferences	Preferences drawn from your interactions with the Website	Yes
L. Sensitive personal information	Account log-in credentials, health-related information submitted outside the scope of HIPAA	Limited

2.2 Sources of Personal Information

We collect Personal Information from the following sources:

Directly from you, when you complete appointment request forms, contact forms, new patient forms, or SMS opt-in forms; call or email our office; or visit us in person.
Automatically, when you browse the Website through cookies, pixels, web beacons, server logs, and similar technologies.
From third parties, including dental insurance carriers, referring providers, online scheduling platforms, payment processors, and review platforms.

2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

The Website uses cookies and similar technologies to operate the site, remember your preferences, analyze traffic, and improve performance. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may limit some Website features, such as online scheduling.

Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control. The Website recognizes and honors Global Privacy Control ("GPC") signals as a valid request to opt out of the sale or sharing of Personal Information for the browser or device that sends the signal. Because no uniform industry standard exists for "Do Not Track" browser signals, we do not currently respond to them.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use Personal Information for the following business and commercial purposes:

Scheduling and managing appointments, including confirmations, reminders, rescheduling, and cancellations.
Responding to your inquiries about our services, insurance, pricing, financing, and office policies.
Processing payments and verifying insurance coverage.
Sending communications by email, phone, and text message, consistent with your consent and the preferences you set.
Sending patient education materials, oral health tips, and information about treatments that may interest you.
Sending promotional offers, such as special pricing or new services, where you have provided the required consent.
Operating, maintaining, and improving the Website, including analyzing usage trends and fixing technical problems.
Requesting feedback and reviews about your experience with our Practice.
Detecting and preventing fraud, security incidents, and other unlawful activity.
Complying with legal obligations, including record-keeping, licensing, and regulatory requirements.
Enforcing our terms and protecting our rights, the rights of our patients, and the rights of others.

We will not collect additional categories of Personal Information, or use collected Personal Information for purposes materially different or incompatible with those listed above, without providing you notice.

3.1 Sensitive Personal Information

We use sensitive personal information only for purposes permitted under the CCPA, such as providing the services you request, ensuring security and integrity, and complying with the law. We do not use or disclose sensitive personal information to infer characteristics about you.

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 Disclosures for a Business Purpose

We may disclose Personal Information to the following categories of third parties for a business purpose. When we do, we enter into written contracts that describe the purpose and require the recipient to keep the information confidential and to use it only for the purposes of that contract:

Service providers and contractors, such as website hosting providers, practice management and scheduling software vendors, SMS and email platform providers, analytics providers, IT support providers, and payment processors.
Dental insurance carriers and payers, to verify coverage and process claims.
Referring and consulting healthcare providers, as necessary to coordinate your care.
Professional advisors, such as attorneys, accountants, and auditors.
Government authorities and law enforcement, when required by law, subpoena, or court order.
Successor entities, in connection with a merger, sale, or transfer of all or part of the Practice, subject to the protections described in this Policy.

4.2 No Sale or Sharing of Personal Information

We do not sell your Personal Information, and we do not share your Personal Information for cross-context behavioral advertising. In the preceding twelve (12) months, we have not sold or shared Personal Information as those terms are defined under the CCPA. We do not knowingly sell or share the Personal Information of consumers under sixteen (16) years of age.

4.3 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 are excluded from all of the sharing categories described in this Policy and will not be shared with or sold to any third party. Please see Section 6 for full details about our SMS messaging program.

5. Your California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have the following rights regarding your Personal Information, subject to certain exceptions and limitations under the law.

5.1 Right to Know

You have the right to request that we disclose:

The categories of Personal Information we have collected about you;
The categories of sources from which that information was collected;
The business or commercial purpose for collecting it;
The categories of third parties to whom we disclosed it; and
The specific pieces of Personal Information we have collected about you.

5.2 Right to Delete

You have the right to request that we delete the Personal Information we have collected from you. We may deny a deletion request where retention is necessary to complete a transaction, provide services you requested, detect security incidents, comply with a legal obligation (including dental record retention laws), or for other purposes permitted under the CCPA. If we deny your request, we will explain why.

5.3 Right to Correct

You have the right to request that we correct inaccurate Personal Information we maintain about you.

5.4 Right to Opt Out of Sale or Sharing

You have the right to direct us not to sell or share your Personal Information. Although we do not sell or share Personal Information, you may submit an opt-out request at any time, and we will honor GPC signals as described in Section 2.3.

5.5 Right to Limit Use of Sensitive Personal Information

You have the right to limit our use and disclosure of sensitive personal information to purposes permitted under the CCPA. Because we already restrict our use of sensitive personal information to those purposes, no further action is required on your part.

5.6 Right to Non-Discrimination

We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your CCPA rights. We will not deny you services, charge you a different price, provide a different level or quality of care, or suggest that you will receive a different price or level of service because you exercised your rights.

5.7 How to Submit a Request

You may submit a request to know, delete, correct, or opt out by any of the following methods:

Toll-free telephone: [Toll-Free Number]
Email: [Privacy Email Address]
Mail: [Practice Name], Attn: Privacy Officer, [Street Address], [City], CA [ZIP Code]
Online: Through the contact form at https://drmarkbabbitt.com/

5.8 Verifying Your Request

To protect your privacy, we must verify your identity before fulfilling a request to know, delete, or correct. We will ask you to provide information that matches the information we have on file, such as your name, phone number, email address, and date of birth. We will use the information you provide only to verify your identity and process your request. Requests to opt out do not require verification.

5.9 Authorized Agents

You may designate an authorized agent to submit a request on your behalf. We will require written, signed permission from you authorizing the agent and may require you to verify your own identity directly with us, unless the agent holds a valid power of attorney under California Probate Code sections 4121 to 4130.

5.10 Response Timing

We will confirm receipt of your request within ten (10) business days and respond within forty-five (45) calendar days. If we need more time, we may extend the response period by an additional forty-five (45) calendar days, and we will notify you in writing of the reason for the extension. Disclosures will cover the twelve (12) months preceding your request unless you ask for a longer period and the law permits it. We do not charge a fee to process your request unless it is excessive, repetitive, or manifestly unfounded.

5.11 California "Shine the Light" Law

Under California Civil Code section 1798.83, California residents may request information about the disclosure of Personal Information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. We do not disclose Personal Information to third parties for their own direct marketing purposes.

6. SMS/Text Messaging Program

This section describes the terms of our text messaging program (the "SMS Program") and forms part of this Policy. Our SMS Program complies with the requirements of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association ("CTIA"), wireless carrier 10-Digit Long Code ("10DLC") standards, and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA").

6.1 Program Description

Program Name: Dr. Mark Babbitt Patient Messaging

Through the SMS Program, the Practice sends text messages to patients and prospective patients who have opted in to receive them. Messages help you stay informed about your care and connected with our office.

6.2 Types of Messages

By opting in, you may receive the following types of text messages:

Appointment messages: confirmations, reminders, rescheduling notices, and cancellation notices.
Account and care messages: follow-up instructions, recall reminders for routine cleanings and check-ups, insurance and billing notices, and requests to complete patient forms.
Customer care messages: responses to your questions and office updates, such as holiday hours or closures.
Feedback messages: requests to share your experience or leave a review.
Promotional messages: special offers, discounts, new service announcements, and patient education content. Promotional messages are sent only if you have separately opted in to receive marketing texts.

6.3 How to Opt In

You may opt in to the SMS Program in any of the following ways:

Online: By entering your mobile number on a form at https://drmarkbabbitt.com/ and checking the SMS consent box. The consent box is never pre-checked.
In office: By providing written consent on a patient intake or consent form.
By text: By texting START or JOIN to (805) 653-1775.

After you opt in, you will receive a confirmation text that identifies the SMS Program, states message frequency, discloses that message and data rates may apply, and explains how to get help and opt out.

6.4 Consent Language

When you opt in, you agree to the following:

"By checking this box and providing my mobile phone number, I agree to receive text messages from Dr. Mark Babbitt at the number provided, including appointment reminders, care updates, billing notices, and [promotional offers]. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out at any time. Reply HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase or of receiving dental services. View our Privacy Policy at https://drmarkbabbitt.com/."

Separate consent is collected for promotional messages. You may consent to appointment and care messages without consenting to promotional messages.

Consent is not a condition of purchase. You are not required to agree to receive text messages as a condition of receiving dental care, scheduling an appointment, or purchasing any product or service from the Practice.

6.5 Message Frequency

Message frequency varies based on your appointment schedule, account activity, and the types of messages you have chosen to receive. Patients typically receive between [1] and [8] messages per month.

6.6 Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply. Charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. The Practice does not charge for text messages but is not responsible for any fees your wireless carrier may assess. Please contact your carrier for details about your text and data plan.

6.7 How to Opt Out

You may cancel the SMS Program at any time. Reply STOP to any text message from us. You may also reply END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, QUIT, or STOP ALL. After you send an opt-out request, you will receive one final message confirming that you have been unsubscribed. You will not receive any further text messages from the SMS Program unless you opt in again.

To rejoin, reply START or UNSTOP to (805) 653-1775, or contact our office.

You may also opt out by calling our office at (805) 653-1775 or emailing dentaloffice@drbabbitt.net . Opting out of text messages does not affect your ability to receive dental care.

6.8 How to Get Help

For help with the SMS Program, reply HELP to any text message. You will receive a response with our contact information and opt-out instructions. You may also contact us directly:

Phone: (805) 653-1775
Email: dentaloffice@drbabbitt.net

6.9 Supported Carriers and Carrier Disclaimer

The SMS Program is supported by major U.S. wireless carriers, including AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and most regional carriers. Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. Message delivery depends on the effective transmission of messages by your wireless carrier and is not guaranteed.

6.10 Eligibility

You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age, or have the consent of a parent or legal guardian, and be the account holder or authorized user of the mobile number you provide to participate in the SMS Program. If you change or deactivate your mobile number, please notify us promptly so we can update our records.

6.11 Privacy of SMS Information

We use the mobile number and information collected through the SMS Program only to deliver the messages you have requested and to administer the program.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All of the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.

We may share your mobile number with our SMS platform provider solely to deliver messages on our behalf. That provider is contractually prohibited from using your information for any other purpose.

6.12 Protecting Your Health Information in Text Messages

Text messaging is not a fully secure form of communication. To protect your privacy, our messages include only the minimum information needed, such as appointment dates and times. We do not include detailed diagnoses or treatment information in text messages. Please do not send sensitive health information to us by text. For questions about your care, call our office directly.

7. Data Retention

We retain Personal Information only as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, or as required by law. Retention periods depend on the type of information and why we collected it:

Website and analytics data: retained for up to [26] months.
Contact and appointment request information: retained for the duration of our relationship with you and for a reasonable period afterward.
SMS opt-in and opt-out records: retained for at least four (4) years to document consent, as required under applicable law.
Patient and billing records: retained in accordance with California dental record retention requirements and our Notice of Privacy Practices.

When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or deidentify it.

8. Data Security

We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect Personal Information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These safeguards include encrypted connections on the Website, restricted access to records, staff training, and secure vendor agreements. However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Children's Privacy

The Website is not directed to children under thirteen (13) years of age, and we do not knowingly collect Personal Information online from children under thirteen without verifiable parental consent. Information about minor patients is provided by a parent or legal guardian and is protected under our Notice of Privacy Practices. If you believe a child has provided us with Personal Information online, please contact us, and we will promptly delete it.

10. Third-Party Links

The Website may contain links to third-party websites, such as online review platforms, social media pages, payment portals, or financing providers. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party site you visit.

11. Accessibility

We are committed to making this Policy accessible to all individuals. If you need this Policy in an alternative format, please contact us using the information in Section 13.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or in applicable law. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. If we make material changes, we will provide notice on the Website or by other appropriate means. We review this Policy at least once every twelve (12) months. Your continued use of the Website after an update takes effect constitutes your acknowledgment of the revised Policy.

13. Contact Information

If you have questions or concerns about this Policy, our privacy practices, or your rights under California law, please contact us:

Mark A. Babbitt, DDS
Attn: Privacy Officer
3088 Telegraph Rd Ste C
Ventura, CA 93003

Office Phone: (805) 653-1775
Email: dentaloffice@drbabbitt.net
Website: https://drmarkbabbitt.com/

For questions about the SMS Program, reply HELP to any text message or call [Office Phone Number]. To stop receiving text messages, reply STOP at any time.