Privacy policy
Shift Orthodontics
- 10407 Grand River Rd., Suite 700. Brighton, MI 48116
- (810) 227-6995
Privacy Policy
Last Updated: June 5, 2026
Introduction
Shift Orthodontics (“we” or “us” or “our”) respects the privacy of our users (“user” or “you”). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website https://shiftorthodonticsbrighton.com/, including any other media form, media channel, mobile website, or mobile application related or connected thereto (collectively, the “Site”). Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.
Privacy Notice – SMS Communication Compliance
Data Collection and Use
Shift Orthodontics may collect personal information, including your name, email address, and phone number, when you provide it to us through our website, in-office forms, or other communication channels. If you provide your mobile number, you consent to receive SMS messages from us regarding appointment reminders, treatment updates, promotions, and other relevant notifications.
Consent and Opt-In for SMS Messaging
By providing your mobile number, you expressly consent to receive text messages from Shift Orthodontics. These messages may include appointment confirmations, follow-ups, practice updates, and promotional offers. Message frequency may vary. Standard message and data rates may apply.
You can opt in to receive SMS messages through:
- Completing an online or in-office registration form
- Checking an opt-in box on our website or patient portal
- Confirming via a double opt-in SMS verification message (if applicable)
How We Use Your Mobile Information
We use your phone number solely for the purpose of providing important updates related to your orthodontic care, appointment scheduling, and occasional promotional content directly from Shift Orthodontics.
Mobile information (including your phone number and SMS consent) will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for their marketing or promotional purposes. No mobile information will be sold, rented, or shared with any third party for marketing purposes. This applies to all mobile opt-in data and consent records. The only exception is with trusted service providers who assist in the technical delivery of our SMS communications; these providers are contractually required to protect your information, use it only to deliver our messages, and comply with all applicable privacy regulations.
Opt-Out Policy
You can opt out of receiving SMS messages at any time by:
- Replying “STOP” to any text message you receive from us. Reply “Help” for help.
- Contacting our office at (810) 227-6995 or admin@shiftortho.com.
- Updating your communication preferences in our patient portal (if applicable).
After opting out, you will no longer receive SMS messages from Shift Orthodontics, except for responses confirming your opt-out request.
Data Security
We take the security of your personal information seriously. We implement administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your phone number and other data from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. Our SMS communications are conducted through compliant platforms that adhere to industry standards for data protection.
Data Retention and Deletion
We retain your contact information for as long as necessary to provide services to you. If you wish to have your mobile number removed from our database, please contact us at admin@shiftortho.com or (810) 227-6995. We will process deletion requests in accordance with applicable regulations.
Changes to This Policy
Shift Orthodontics reserves the right to modify this Privacy Notice at any time. Updates will be posted on our website, and we encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Collection of Your Information
We may collect information about you in a variety of ways. The information we may collect on the Site includes:
Personal Data
Personally identifiable information, such as your name, shipping address, email address, and telephone number, and demographic information, such as your age, gender, hometown, and interests, that you voluntarily give to us when you choose to participate in various activities related to the Site, such as online chat and message boards. You are under no obligation to provide us with personal information of any kind, however your refusal to do so may prevent you from using certain features of the Site.
Derivative Data
Information our servers automatically collect when you access the Site, such as your IP address, your browser type, your operating system, your access times, and the pages you have viewed directly before and after accessing the Site.
Mobile Device Data
Device information, such as your mobile device ID, model, and manufacturer, and information about the location of your device, if you access the Site from a mobile device.
Third-Party Data
Information from third parties, such as personal information or network friends, if you connect your account to the third party and grant the Site permission to access this information.
Why We Collect Your Information
We collect your personal information in order to:
- Provide, operate, and improve our orthodontic services and the Site.
- Schedule and manage your appointments and communicate treatment updates.
- Send you relevant notifications, reminders, and follow-up communications.
- Respond to your inquiries and provide customer support.
- Comply with legal and regulatory obligations.
- Protect the security and integrity of our services.
Use of Your Information
Having accurate information about you permits us to provide you with a smooth, efficient, and customized experience. Specifically, we may use information collected about you via the Site to:
- Administer sweepstakes, promotions, and contests.
- Assist law enforcement and respond to subpoena.
- Compile anonymous statistical data and analysis for use internally or with third parties.
- Deliver targeted advertising, coupons, newsletters, and other information regarding promotions and the Site to you.
- Email you regarding your account or order.
- Enable user-to-user communications.
- Generate a personal profile about you to make future visits to the Site more personalized.
- Increase the efficiency and operation of the Site.
- Monitor and analyze usage and trends to improve your experience with the Site.
- Offer new products, services, and/or recommendations to you.
- Perform other business activities as needed.
- Resolve disputes and troubleshoot problems.
- Respond to product and customer service requests.
- Send you a newsletter.
Disclosure of Your Information
We may share information we have collected about you in certain situations. Your information may be disclosed as follows:
By Law or to Protect Rights
If we believe the release of information about you is necessary to respond to legal process, to investigate or remedy potential violations of our policies, or to protect the rights, property, and safety of others, we may share your information as permitted or required by any applicable law, rule, or regulation. This includes exchanging information with other entities for fraud protection and credit risk reduction.
Third-Party Service Providers
We may share your information with third parties that perform services for us or on our behalf, including payment processing, data analysis, email delivery, hosting services, customer service, and marketing assistance. These providers are only permitted to use your information to perform services on our behalf and are not authorized to use it for their own marketing purposes.
Marketing Communications
With your consent, or with an opportunity for you to withdraw consent, we may share your non-mobile personal information with third parties for marketing purposes, as permitted by law. We do not sell, share, or rent your mobile number or SMS opt-in data to any third party for marketing or promotional purposes under any circumstances.
Online Postings
When you post comments, contributions or other content to the Site, your posts may be viewed by all users and may be publicly distributed outside the Site in perpetuity.
Third-Party Advertisers
We may use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit the Site. These companies may use information about your visits to the Site and other websites that are contained in web cookies in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you.
International Data Transfers
Shift Orthodontics is based in the United States and your information is collected and processed in the United States. If you are visiting the Site from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in a country whose data protection laws may differ from those of your home country. By using the Site, you consent to your information being transferred to and processed in the United States. We take appropriate steps to ensure that any such transfers comply with applicable law and that your personal information remains protected to the standards described in this Privacy Policy.
Your Rights Regarding Your Personal Information
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the following rights with respect to your personal information:
- Right to Access: You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Right to Correction: You have the right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information we hold about you.
- Right to Deletion: You have the right to request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain legal obligations.
- Right to Opt Out of Marketing: You have the right to opt out of receiving marketing communications from us at any time.
- Right to Opt Out of SMS: You have the right to withdraw your consent to receive SMS messages at any time by replying “STOP” to any of our messages.
- Right to Data Portability: Where applicable, you may have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used format.
- Right to Restrict Processing: You may have the right to request that we limit how we use your personal information in certain circumstances.
How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of the rights listed above, please contact us using the information provided in the “Contact Us” section below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable law. Please note that we may need to verify your identity before processing certain requests. In some cases, we may be unable to fulfill a request if doing so would conflict with our legal obligations or legitimate business interests, in which case we will explain the reason to you.
Tracking Technologies
Cookies and Web Beacons
We may use cookies, web beacons, tracking pixels, and other tracking technologies on the Site to help customize the Site and improve your experience. When you access the Site, your personal information is not collected through the use of tracking technology. Most browsers are set to accept cookies by default. You can remove or reject cookies, but be aware that such action could affect the availability and functionality of the Site. You may not decline web beacons. However, they can be rendered ineffective by declining all cookies or by modifying your web browser’s settings to notify you each time a cookie is tendered, permitting you to accept or decline cookies on an individual basis.
Internet-Based Advertising
Additionally, we may use third-party software to serve ads on the Site, implement email marketing campaigns, and manage other interactive marketing initiatives. This third-party software may use cookies or similar tracking technology to help manage and optimize your online experience with us. For more information about opting-out of interest-based ads, visit the Network Advertising Initiative Opt-Out Tool or Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out Tool.
Website Analytics
We may also partner with selected third-party vendors, to allow tracking technologies and remarketing services on the Site through the use of first party cookies and third-party cookies, to, among other things, analyze and track users’ use of the Site, determine the popularity of certain content and better understand online activity. By accessing the Site, you consent to the collection and use of your information by these third-party vendors. You are encouraged to review their privacy policy and contact them directly for responses to your questions. We do not transfer personal information to these third-party vendors. However, if you do not want any information to be collected and used by tracking technologies, you can visit the Network Advertising Initiative Opt-Out Tool or Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-Out Tool.
You should be aware that getting a new computer, installing a new browser, upgrading an existing browser, or erasing or otherwise altering your browser’s cookies files may also clear certain opt-out cookies, plug-ins, or settings.
Third-Party Websites
The Site may contain links to third-party websites and applications of interest, including advertisements and external services, that are not affiliated with us. Once you have used these links to leave the Site, any information you provide to these third parties is not covered by this Privacy Policy, and we cannot guarantee the safety and privacy of your information. Before visiting and providing any information to any third-party websites, you should inform yourself of the privacy policies and practices (if any) of the third party responsible for that website, and should take those steps necessary to, in your discretion, protect the privacy of your information. We are not responsible for the content or privacy and security practices and policies of any third parties, including other sites, services or applications that may be linked to or from the Site.
Security of Your Information
We use administrative, technical, and physical security measures to help protect your personal information. While we have taken reasonable steps to secure the personal information you provide to us, please be aware that despite our efforts, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable, and no method of data transmission can be guaranteed against any interception or other type of misuse. Any information disclosed online is vulnerable to interception and misuse by unauthorized parties. Therefore, we cannot guarantee complete security if you provide personal information.
Options Regarding Your Information
Emails and Communications
If you no longer wish to receive correspondence, emails, or other communications from us, you may opt-out by contacting us using the contact information provided below.
If you no longer wish to receive correspondence, emails, or other communications from third parties, you are responsible for contacting the third party directly.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time and for any reason. We will alert you about any changes by updating the “Last Updated” date of this Privacy Policy. Any changes or modifications will be effective immediately upon posting the updated Privacy Policy on the Site, and you waive the right to receive specific notice of each such change or modification.
You are encouraged to periodically review this Privacy Policy to stay informed of updates. You will be deemed to have been made aware of, will be subject to, and will be deemed to have accepted the changes in any revised Privacy Policy by your continued use of the Site after the date such revised Privacy Policy is posted.
Contact Us
If you have questions or comments about this Privacy Policy, or to exercise any of your rights regarding your personal information, please contact us at:
Shift OrthodonticsBrighton, MI 48116
Phone: (810) 227-6995
Email: admin@shiftortho.com
Website: https://shiftorthodonticsbrighton.com/
HIPAA NOTICE • REQUIRED FEDERAL DISCLOSURE
Notice of Privacy Practices
- Practice: Shift Orthodontics
- Effective: February 16, 2026
- Regulation: 45 CFR §164.520 | HIPAA Privacy Rule
- Published by: HHS OCR Model Notice — Revised February 13, 2026
- Get a copy of your record
- Correct your record
- Request confidential comms
- Ask us to limit what we share
- List of those we’ve shared with
- Get a copy of this notice
- Choose someone to act for you
- File a complaint
- Share with family/friends
- Share in disaster relief
- Marketing (requires permission)
- Sale of info (requires permission)
- Psychotherapy notes (permission)
- Opt out of fundraising
- Treat and care for you
- Run our practice
- Bill for your services
- Public health & safety
- Research
- Comply with the law
- Legal actions & subpoenas
Section 1 — Your Rights
When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities to help you.Get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record
- You can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you. Ask us how to do this.
- We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
Ask us to correct your medical record
- You can ask us to correct health information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. Ask us how to do this.
- We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days.
Request confidential communications
- You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home, office, or cell phone) or to send mail to a different address.
- We will say “yes” to all reasonable requests.
Ask us to limit what we use or share
- You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations. We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say “no” — for example, if it could affect your care. If we agree, we may still share information in the event that you need emergency treatment.
- If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer. We will say “yes” unless a law requires us to share that information.
Get a list of those with whom we’ve shared information
- You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why.
- We will include all the disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.
Get a copy of this privacy notice
You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.Choose someone to act for you
- If someone has authority to act as your personal representative, such as if someone has your medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.
- We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action.
| Note for parents of orthodontic patients: When a parent or legal guardian accompanies a minor patient, we will provide this notice to the parent or guardian and make a good-faith effort to obtain written acknowledgment of receipt, as required by 45 CFR §164.520(c)(2)(ii). |
Section 2 — Your Choices
For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, talk to us. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions.You have both the right and choice to tell us to:
- Share information with your family, close friends, or others involved in your care or payment for your care
- Share information in a disaster relief situation
| If you are not able to tell us your preference — for example, if you are unconscious — we may go ahead and share your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also share your information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety. |
We never share your information unless you give us written permission for:
| Marketing purposes • Sale of your information • Most sharing of psychotherapy notes |
Fundraising
We may contact you for fundraising efforts, but you can tell us not to contact you again. If we have your substance use disorder patient records (subject to 42 CFR Part 2), we will give you clear and conspicuous notice in advance and a meaningful choice about whether to receive fundraising communications that use your Part 2 information.Section 3 — Our Uses & Disclosures
How we typically use or share your health information| Treat You We can use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating you. Example: Your orthodontist coordinates with your general dentist or an oral surgeon to plan your treatment. |
| Run Our Organization We can use and share your health information to run our practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary. Example: We use health information about you to manage your treatment and services, conduct quality reviews, and train our staff. |
| Bill for Your Services We can use and share your health information to bill and get payment from health plans or other entities. Example: We give information about you to your health insurance plan so it will pay for your orthodontic services. |
| Important — Substance Use Disorder Records (42 CFR Part 2): In all cases below, if we have substance use disorder patient records about you subject to 42 CFR Part 2, we cannot use or share information in those records in civil, criminal, administrative, or legislative investigations or proceedings against you without (1) your written consent or (2) a court order and a subpoena. |
| Help with Public Health and Safety Issues We can share health information for certain situations such as: preventing disease, helping with product recalls, reporting adverse reactions to medications, reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or domestic violence, and preventing or reducing a serious threat to anyone’s health or safety. |
| Do Research We can use or share your information for health research, subject to applicable legal requirements and protections. |
| Comply with the Law We will share information about you if state or federal laws require it, including with the Department of Health and Human Services if it wants to see that we’re complying with federal privacy law. |
| Respond to Organ and Tissue Donation Requests We can share health information about you with organ procurement organizations. |
| Work with a Medical Examiner or Funeral Director We can share health information with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when an individual dies. |
| Address Workers’ Compensation, Law Enforcement & Other Government Requests We can use or share health information about you for workers’ compensation claims; for law enforcement purposes; with health oversight agencies; and for special government functions such as military, national security, and presidential protective services. |
| Respond to Lawsuits and Legal Actions We can share health information about you in response to a court or administrative order, or in response to a subpoena. |
| Redisclosure Notice (required under 45 CFR §164.520): Please be aware that PHI disclosed by our practice may be redisclosed by the recipient and may no longer be protected under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, unless stronger federal confidentiality protections (such as 42 CFR Part 2 for SUD records) apply. |
Section 4 — Our Responsibilities
- We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
- We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
- We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
- We will not use or share your information other than as described in this notice unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.
Section 5 — Changes to the Terms of This Notice
We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our website. Any material changes will be posted with an updated effective date, consistent with 45 CFR §164.520(b)(1)(v)(C).Section 6 — File a Complaint If You Feel Your Rights Are Violated
You can complain if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting us using the information in the Contact section below. You can also file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights:- By mail: 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201
- By phone: 1-877-696-6775
- Online: www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint
| We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint. |
Section 7 — Contact & Privacy Officer
| PRIVACY OFFICER
Dr. Kelly Pohlman |
PHONE
(810) 227-6995
|
| EMAIL drpohlman@shiftortho.com | MAILING ADDRESS
10407 Grand River Rd., Suite 700, Brighton, MI 48116
|
| OFFICE HOURS
Monday – 12 PM–6 PM
|
| If you participate in a patient portal for accessing your records online, you may contact us through the portal’s secure messaging system in addition to the methods listed above. |