Terms of Service

Welcome to HygieNow. These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the HygieNow platform, website, and SMS services (collectively, the “Service”). By creating an account or using HygieNow, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Eligibility

To use HygieNow, you must be at least 18 years old and legally authorized to work in the United States. Dental hygienists must hold a valid, active license in their state of practice. Dental offices must be a registered business entity.

2. The Platform

HygieNow is a marketplace that connects licensed dental hygienists with dental offices seeking temporary shift coverage. HygieNow is not an employer of hygienists. Hygienists using HygieNow are independent contractors, not employees of HygieNow or the dental offices they serve.

3. Shift Bookings

• Shift confirmation occurs when a hygienist accepts via SMS reply and receives a confirmation message.
• Instant Fill: First qualified hygienist to reply "Y" is auto-confirmed.
• Best Match: Office reviews ranked candidates and selects their preferred hygienist.
• Cancellations made more than 24 hours before a shift start time are free for both parties.
• Late cancellations (within 24 hours) may result in a cancellation fee.

4. Guaranteed Shift Pay

If a dental office sends a hygienist home early after the hygienist has arrived and begun the shift, the hygienist is entitled to their full agreed daily rate. Offices agree to this policy upon signup and by posting shifts on the platform.

5. Payments

• Offices are charged after shift completion via the payment method on file.
• Hygienists are paid via Stripe: Standard (1 to 2 business days) or Instant Pay (within 30 minutes, $5 per shift fee, waived after 10 completed shifts).
• HygieNow charges a service fee on each completed shift. Current rates are disclosed at the time of posting.

6. Prohibited Conduct

• Circumventing the platform to arrange off-platform bookings with users you met through HygieNow
• Providing false license information or credentials
• Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior toward any platform user
• Creating multiple accounts to manipulate ratings or matching

7. License Verification

HygieNow verifies hygienist licenses through state dental board records prior to allowing shift acceptance. We do not guarantee the accuracy of any license information and encourage offices to independently verify credentials as needed.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, HygieNow shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages. Our total liability shall not exceed the greater of $100 or the fees paid by you in the 3 months preceding the claim.

9. Changes to Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms. We will make reasonable efforts to notify users of material changes via email.

10. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Email us at legal@hygienow.com.

Privacy Policy

HygieNow (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share information about you when you use our platform.

1. Information We Collect

• Account information: Name, email, phone number, password
• Professional information: License number, state, experience, certifications
• Location data: Zip code and approximate location (for zone matching)
• Payment information: Processed by Stripe; we do not store card numbers
• Usage data: Shift history, ratings, SMS interaction logs
• Communications: SMS messages sent through the platform

2. How We Use Your Information

• Matching hygienists with nearby shift opportunities
• Sending shift notifications via SMS
• Processing payments and payouts
• Verifying professional licenses
• Improving platform performance and safety
• Communicating platform updates and policy changes

3. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only as necessary to operate the platform:

• With matched parties: When a shift is confirmed, offices receive hygienist name and contact info; hygienists receive office address and contact info.
• Service providers: Stripe (payments), Twilio (SMS), Supabase (database), Vercel (hosting)
• Legal obligations: When required by law, subpoena, or regulatory request

4. Data Retention

We retain account data as long as your account is active. Shift history is retained for 7 years for tax and legal purposes. You may request deletion of your account and associated data at any time by emailing privacy@hygienow.com.

5. Security

We use industry-standard encryption (TLS) for all data in transit and encryption at rest for sensitive data. Payment information is handled exclusively by Stripe and never stored on our servers.

6. Your Rights

• Access a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your data
• Opt out of marketing communications at any time

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@hygienow.com.

7. HIPAA Notice

HygieNow is a shift marketplace and does not store or transmit protected health information (PHI) as part of its core function. Shift scheduling does not involve patient data. Hygienists and offices are responsible for maintaining their own HIPAA compliance in all clinical interactions.

TCPA Compliance

HygieNow uses SMS text messaging to deliver shift notifications, confirmations, and platform communications to registered users. We are committed to full compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and all applicable FCC regulations.

SMS Consent

By completing the HygieNow hygienist signup and checking the SMS consent box, you expressly consent to receive recurring automated text messages from HygieNow at the phone number you provide. These messages include:

• New shift opportunity notifications
• Shift confirmations and updates
• Booking reminders
• Payout confirmations
• Important platform alerts

Message Frequency & Rates

Message frequency varies based on shift availability in your zones. When shifts are posted matching your zones, you will receive a notification. Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier and plan.

How to Opt Out

You may opt out of SMS notifications at any time by:

• Replying STOP to any HygieNow text message
• Toggling your availability off in your dashboard
• Emailing sms@hygienow.com with your phone number and opt-out request

After opting out, you will receive one final confirmation text. No further messages will be sent to your number unless you re-consent.

Help

Reply HELP to any HygieNow text for assistance, or email hello@hygienow.com.

No Sharing of Phone Numbers

HygieNow does not sell, rent, or share your phone number with third parties for marketing purposes. Phone numbers are used solely for platform communications as described in this policy.