SMS Terms & Conditions

These Terms govern your use of the SMS (text message) program operated by Ascend Dental Ashland LLC ("we," "us," or "the Practice"). By providing your mobile phone number and consenting to receive text messages from us, you agree to these Terms.

1. Program description

We send the following kinds of text messages to patients who have consented:

• Appointment confirmations and reminders — typically before your visit, including a one-click reply to confirm or request to reschedule.
• Recall notifications — periodic reminders when you are due for a routine cleaning or other recommended preventive visit.
• Balance reminders — when an outstanding balance is owed, including a link to pay securely online.
• Operational messages — schedule changes, weather closures, and replies to your inquiries.

2. Message frequency

Frequency varies based on your schedule and balance. On average, an active patient receives 0–5 messages per month. Some months you may receive no messages; around the time of an appointment or balance event, you may receive several within a short window.

3. Costs and carrier rates

We do not charge a fee for the messages we send. Standard message and data rates may apply per your wireless carrier's agreement with you. Contact your carrier for the specific rates applicable to your plan.

4. Opt-in

Opting in to text messages is entirely optional and is never a condition of receiving treatment, services, or completing any transaction with us. By opting in, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old and the owner or authorized user of the mobile number provided. You may opt in only by your own explicit, separate action, in one of two ways:

• Completing the consent form on our SMS sign-up page — entering your mobile number and checking the "Text message consent" box; or
• Texting the keyword START to our office number, (312) 755-8488, from the mobile number you want to enroll.

5. Opt-out

You can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any text message you receive from us. Your opt-out is effective immediately at the carrier level, and you will receive one final confirmation message acknowledging the opt-out. To opt back in later, reply START or contact our office.

6. Help

Reply HELP to any text message to receive contact information for our office. You can also contact us anytime at the phone number or email at the top of this page.

7. Carrier liability

Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed, undelivered, or failed messages. Delivery is best-effort; we cannot guarantee that every message will arrive on time or arrive at all.

8. Compatible carriers

Our SMS program operates on most major U.S. wireless carriers including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Cricket Wireless, Boost Mobile, and others. International carriers may not be supported.

9. Use of your number

We use your mobile number only to send you the messages described above and to log your replies to your patient record. We do not sell, rent, or share your number with advertisers or other third parties. See our Privacy Policy for full details on how your information is handled.

10. Service providers

SMS delivery is provided by Twilio, Inc. on our behalf as a HIPAA business associate. Twilio handles message transmission and delivery confirmation; we do not include protected health information (PHI) such as diagnoses or treatment details in standard text messages.

11. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. The "Effective" date at the top reflects the most recent revision. Material changes affecting your rights will be communicated to enrolled patients directly.

12. Contact us

For questions about our SMS program or these Terms:

Ascend Dental Ashland LLC
3540 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Phone: (312) 755-8488
Email: ascenddentalashland@gmail.com