01Who we are and what this policy covers
Pearl Aesthetics & Dentistry is the dental practice of Dr. Colby James Gerth, DMD, at 1009 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614.
This policy covers our website, thepearlaesthetic.com, and the messages you send us because of it. It does not cover the dental records we keep when you become a patient. Those are protected by federal law and described in our Notice of Privacy Practices (see Health information and HIPAA below).
02Information we collect
Because the website has no forms, we collect very little through it.
- Technical information. Like every website, ours is delivered by servers that record basic technical details of each visit: your IP address, browser and device type, the page you asked for and the time. Our hosting provider keeps these records to deliver the site and keep it secure.
- Information you choose to send us. If you call, email or message us, we receive what you share, such as your name, phone number, email address and the reason you're getting in touch.
- Booking information. If you book online, you enter your details on our online scheduling provider's page, not on our website. The practice receives your appointment request and the details you give there.
We do not ask for, and the website does not collect, payment details, Social Security numbers or insurance ID numbers.
03How we use information
- To answer your questions and schedule, confirm or change your appointments.
- To deliver the website, keep it working and protect it from misuse.
- To meet our legal and professional obligations.
We do not sell your information, and we do not use it to show you advertising.
05Online booking
The Book a visit links take you to our online scheduling provider, Simplifeye. When you book there, you're using their service, and the information you enter is handled under their privacy policy as well as ours. They share your booking details with us so we can see you.
You can always book by phone at (312) 858-7067 or by email at pearl@thepearlaesthetic.com instead.
07Health information and HIPAA
Once you're a patient, your dental and health information is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). How we use and protect it is set out in our Notice of Privacy Practices, which you'll receive at the office and can ask for at any time.
Email, Instagram and Facebook messages are not secure ways to share health information. Please don't send us medical histories, X-rays, insurance details or other private health information that way. Call us at (312) 858-7067 and we'll find a safe way to receive it.
09Illinois residents
We are an Illinois practice and follow Illinois law.
The Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act protects things like fingerprints, face geometry and voiceprints. Our website does not collect any biometric information.
If personal information we hold about you is ever involved in a security breach, we will notify you as Illinois law requires.
10Your choices
- You can use the whole website without giving us any personal information.
- You can clear or block browser storage in your browser settings. The site still works without it; you may simply see the opening animation again.
- You can ask what information we hold about you from your messages or bookings, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete what we're not required to keep. Contact us using the details below.
Patients have additional rights over their dental records under HIPAA, explained in our Notice of Privacy Practices.
11Children
Our website is meant for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13. Appointments for children should be made by a parent or guardian.
12How long we keep information, and how we protect it
We keep messages and booking details as long as we need them to care for you and to meet our legal and record-keeping duties. Patient records are kept for the periods the law requires.
Our website is served over an encrypted connection (HTTPS), and we limit who at the practice can see your information. No website or email is ever completely secure, which is one more reason not to send health details by email.
13Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the website or the law changes. The date at the top shows when it last changed. If we make a meaningful change, such as adding analytics, we'll update this page before the change takes effect.
14How to contact us
Questions about this policy or your information:
- Call (312) 858-7067
- Email pearl@thepearlaesthetic.com
- Write to Pearl Aesthetics & Dentistry, 1009 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
See also our Terms and Accessibility statement, or visit the Contact page.
08Social media and other sites
Our website links to other sites, including Google (for reviews and directions), Instagram and Facebook. The videos on our site are hosted by us, and some link to the full version on Instagram.
When you follow one of these links, you leave our website, and that site's own privacy policy applies. We don't control what those services collect, so please read their policies.