A Growing Cybersecurity Crisis in Dentistry: It’s Time to Take Action By Thomas Kane, Fusion One Technologies

Introduction

Cyber threats are no longer a distant concern for the dental industry—they're here, and they're growing. From small private practices to national dental organizations, no one is safe from the surge in cyberattacks. Whether it’s ransomware locking down critical systems or data breaches exposing patient records, the impact is widespread and devastating. Dental professionals now face not only operational disruptions but also legal challenges, compliance issues, and damaged reputations. With hackers becoming more sophisticated every day, adopting a proactive, multi-layered cybersecurity strategy is no longer optional—it's essential.

The Expanding Threat Landscape

The healthcare sector has become a prime target for cybercriminals, and dental practices are squarely in the crosshairs. The $22 million ransom paid by Change Healthcare marked a turning point, sparking a record number of ransomware incidents—44 in just one month. These attacks don’t just cause downtime; they put sensitive patient data at risk and inflict major financial and reputational harm.

The Change Healthcare breach sent shockwaves through the entire healthcare system, crippling payment systems and causing massive disruptions. It's a wake-up call for dental professionals everywhere.

Major Cyber Incidents in the Dental Industry

Here are some of the most notable breaches that show just how vulnerable the dental sector has become:

• Dental Care Alliance (DCA) – In 2020, over 1 million patients’ personal health information was compromised after a major breach affecting this network of 320+ dental practices.

• Henry Schein, Inc. – In late 2023, this Fortune 500 company was targeted by the BlackCat/ALPHV ransomware group, disrupting operations and impacting 160,000+ individuals.

• American Dental Association (ADA) – The ADA experienced coordinated cyberattacks, demonstrating that even major professional organizations are not immune.

• OneTouchPoint – A breach in 2022 at this third-party vendor affected over 2.6 million patients across more than 30 healthcare and dental clients.

• Dental Health Management Solutions (DHMS) – In 2023, a cyberattack on this provider, which serves military and correctional facilities, compromised data for over 300,000 patients.

• Independent Dental Practices – Smaller offices are also being hit. In Minnesota, Personal Touch Dental faced penalties for covering up a breach, while in South Carolina, hacks left practices locked out and patients in limbo.

These incidents prove that attackers aren’t just targeting large companies—small and mid-sized practices are equally vulnerable, and often less equipped to defend themselves.

Why Dental Practices Are at Risk

Several common weaknesses make dental offices easy targets:

• Poor Password Practices – Many offices still use weak or default passwords.

• Lack of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Without MFA, a single stolen password can give hackers full access.

• Outdated Systems – Running outdated or unpatched software leaves the door wide open.

• Untrained Staff – Cybercriminals exploit human error with phishing and social engineering tactics.

Modern Solutions for Modern Threats

To keep up with evolving threats, dental practices must embrace smarter security strategies:

• Passwordless Authentication – Use biometrics or device-based credentials instead of vulnerable passwords.

• Zero Trust Security – This approach assumes no one is trusted by default and enforces constant verification.

• AI-Driven Endpoint Protection – Advanced threat detection tools can stop malware before it does damage.

• Cloud-Based Backups – Secure, encrypted off-site backups are essential for fast recovery after an attack.

Cybersecurity Checklist for Dental Practices

Here’s what dental offices should do today to reduce their cyber risk:

1. Enable MFA on all systems.

2. Replace default passwords with secure ones and use a password manager.

3. Schedule regular cybersecurity audits and risk assessments.

4. Provide annual cybersecurity training to all staff.

5. Keep all systems and software up to date.

6. Work with an IT provider that specializes in healthcare security.

7. Create and regularly update an incident response plan.

Conclusion

The shift to digital tools in dentistry brings incredible advantages—but it also invites new risks. Cyberattacks are happening more frequently and causing real damage, from financial loss to patient trust issues. Dental professionals must treat cybersecurity as a key part of patient care and business continuity. Whether you run a solo office or a nationwide network, the time to invest in modern cybersecurity protections is now.