Smile Time Dental
Nondiscrimination, Language Assistance & Accessibility
In this Notice, “we,” “us,” “our,” and “our practice” refer to the dental practice entity or entities operating the California offices under the name Smile Time Dental, each with respect to its own services.
Nondiscrimination
We comply with applicable federal and California civil-rights laws. We do not unlawfully exclude people, deny benefits or services, or otherwise discriminate because of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), ancestry, ethnic group identification, religion, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, citizenship, immigration status, or another basis protected by applicable law.
Protection against sex discrimination includes pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, sex stereotypes, and sex characteristics. These protections apply to actual or perceived characteristics, combinations of protected characteristics, and association with a person who has or is perceived to have a protected characteristic.
Language Assistance
We take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access for individuals with limited English proficiency. This includes qualified spoken-language interpretation and necessary translation of written or electronic information. Required language assistance is accurate and timely, protects privacy and independent decision-making, and uses qualified interpreters and translators.
Where available and appropriate, our preferred arrangement is to coordinate qualified interpreter services through the patient’s dental insurance plan. We may also arrange assistance through another qualified service provider. Interpretation may be provided remotely or in person, depending on communication needs and the standards required for meaningful access.
You may contact your dental plan’s Member Services directly or ask our office to help arrange assistance. Contacting your plan is an option, not a prerequisite to receiving required assistance and not your sole responsibility. Please tell our office when you need help requesting services, cannot arrange appropriate services through your plan, or find that the plan’s arrangements do not meet your communication needs.
Plan benefits and arrangements may vary. Our obligation to provide required assistance does not depend on insurance approval, reimbursement, or whether you have insurance. When a plan’s arrangements are unavailable or inadequate, we remain responsible for arranging the assistance the law requires, without charging you.
You are not required to bring or pay for your own interpreter. We do not rely on unqualified staff, accompanying adults, or minor children to interpret except in the limited circumstances permitted by law. You may decline offered language assistance; declining does not waive your other rights or eliminate our other legal responsibilities.
Disability Assistance and Accessibility
We provide reasonable modifications and appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including qualified interpreters for individuals with disabilities and information in alternate formats such as Braille or large print, without charge and in a timely manner, when necessary for accessibility, effective communication, and an equal opportunity to participate. This includes sign-language interpretation when needed for effective communication.
How to Obtain Assistance
Contact your dental office or the Assistance and Civil Rights Contact listed below to request language assistance, disability-related assistance, reasonable modifications, or this Notice in an accessible format. Tell us the assistance needed and how to contact you.
Assistance and Civil Rights Contact (Section 1557 Coordinator)
Phone: (916) 984 4224
Email: [email protected]
Mailing address: 2260 E Bidwell St STE 110, Folsom, CA 95630
Grievances
If you believe we have discriminated unlawfully or failed to provide required assistance, you may file a grievance by emailing the address listed above or contacting your dental office. Our office can help you submit a grievance and obtain a copy of our grievance procedure. Required language assistance and disability-related assistance are available without charge.
Federal Civil-Rights Complaints
You can also file a civil-rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. Complaints may be submitted online through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal or by mail at the address below.
Centralized Case Management Operations
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201
Online complaint portal:https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/
For assistance filing a complaint, call 1-800-368-1019 or 1-800-537-7697 (TDD).
