PRIVACY POLICY
1. Who We Are
Gums & Gossip™ is a podcast, media, and wellness education platform founded by Hope Loyd, a licensed registered dental hygienist with over 30 years of clinical experience. Our mission is to humanize dental care, reduce dental fear, and support overall wellness through storytelling, education, coaching, and professional community.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you visit our website, contact us, complete forms, or use our services.
2. Information We Collect
Information You Provide Directly:
• Name, email address, and contact details submitted through our inquiry forms (guest applications, brand features, collaboration requests)
• Messages or information you share when contacting us
• Professional information (dental practice, business type, credentials) when applying to be a featured guest or partner
• Payment information when purchasing services or products (processed through secure third-party payment processors — we do not store card data)
Information Collected Automatically:
• IP address, browser type, and device information
• Pages visited, time spent on site, and referring URLs
• Cookie data and analytics through third-party tools (such as Google Analytics or similar)
Information from Third Parties:
• Lead connector and form data processed through LeadConnectorHQ (our website platform)
• Social media interactions if you connect with us through Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
• Respond to inquiries, form submissions, and collaboration requests
• Schedule and coordinate podcast guest appearances and brand features
• Send relevant communications, updates, or newsletters (with your consent)
• Improve our website content and user experience
• Process transactions and deliver services
• Comply with legal obligations
We do not sell your personal information to third parties. Ever.
Health & Wellness Information — Special Notice
Gums & Gossip™ discusses dental health, dental fear/anxiety, and general wellness topics. Content on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, dental, or mental health advice.
• Hope Loyd is a licensed dental hygienist sharing general wellness information, not providing patient care through this platform.
• If you share personal health experiences through our forms or communications, this information is treated with the utmost confidentiality and is never shared without your explicit consent.
• If you are experiencing a dental or mental health emergency, please contact a licensed healthcare provider or call 988 (Mental Health Crisis Lifeline) or 911.
5. Cookies & Tracking
Our website uses cookies to enhance your experience. These may include:
• Essential cookies — required for the site to function
• Analytics cookies — help us understand how visitors use our site (e.g., Google Analytics)
• Marketing cookies — may be used by third-party integrations for retargeting
You can control cookie settings through your browser. Disabling certain cookies may limit website functionality.
6. Third-Party Services
Our website integrates with the following third-party platforms, each with their own privacy policies:
• LeadConnectorHQ / HighLevel — website hosting and forms
• Google Analytics — site analytics
• Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube)
• Payment processors (if applicable)
• Email marketing platforms (if applicable)
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their policies independently.
7. Data Retention
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected, or as required by law. You may request deletion of your information at any time by contacting [email protected].
8. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the right to:
• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your data
• Opt out of marketing communications at any time
• Lodge a complaint with a data protection authority
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected].
California Residents (CCPA): You have the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to delete it, and the right to opt-out of its sale (we do not sell data). Contact us to submit a request.
9. Children’s Privacy
Gums & Gossip™ is not directed at children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately.
10. Security
We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, or disclosure. However, no method of internet transmission is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
TERMS OF USE
1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using www.gumsandgossip.com, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree, please do not use this website.
2. About Gums & Gossip™
Gums & Gossip™ is a media and education platform. Content is created for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. Nothing on this site constitutes professional dental, medical, mental health, or financial advice. Always consult a licensed professional for personal care decisions.
3. Intellectual Property
All content on this website — including the Gums & Gossip™ name, logo, podcast episodes, blog posts, graphics, and written materials — is the intellectual property of Hope Loyd / Gums & Gossip™ and is protected by copyright and trademark law.
You may not:
• Reproduce, redistribute, or republish content without written permission
• Use the Gums & Gossip™ name or brand for commercial purposes
• Claim ownership of any content produced by this platform
You may:
• Share links to our content with proper attribution
• Quote brief excerpts for educational or review purposes, with attribution
4. Guest & Brand Feature Terms
When you apply to be a podcast guest or brand partner, you acknowledge:
• Gums & Gossip™ retains editorial discretion over all published content
• Featured episodes, recordings, and promotional materials become part of the Gums & Gossip™ media library
• You grant Gums & Gossip™ a non-exclusive license to use your name, likeness, and submitted materials for promotional purposes related to your feature
• Specific terms for paid brand features are governed by a separate written agreement
5. Coaching & Consulting Services
Gums & Gossip™ offers coaching and consulting services related to dental fear reduction and wellness. These services:
• Are educational and coaching in nature — not clinical dental or mental health treatment
• Do not create a patient-provider or therapist-client relationship
• Are governed by separate service agreements signed prior to engagement
6. User Conduct
You agree not to:
• Use this site for any unlawful purpose
• Submit false, misleading, or harmful information through our forms
• Attempt to hack, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Harass, threaten, or harm Hope Loyd or any affiliated parties
7. Disclaimers
Educational Content Only: All dental, health, and wellness content is for general educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional dental or medical care.
No Guarantees: Results from coaching, consulting, or educational programs vary by individual. Gums & Gossip™ makes no guarantees of specific outcomes.
External Links: Our site may link to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their content, accuracy, or privacy practices.
8. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Gums & Gossip™ and Hope Loyd shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of this website or services. Our total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount you paid for the applicable service.
9. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Gums & Gossip™, Hope Loyd, and any affiliated parties from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your use of this site or violation of these Terms.
10. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of Collin County.
11. Contact Us
Questions about this Privacy Policy or Terms of Use?
Hope Loyd / Gums & Gossip™
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.gumsandgossip.com
This document was last updated: April 22, 2026.