From Patient Records to Ransomware: The Cyber Crisis Facing Dentistry – By Thomas Kane, CEO, Fusion One Technologies

 

Cyberattacks are no longer a distant threat—they’re a daily reality for dental professionals. In recent years, the dental industry has seen a sharp rise in cyber incidents targeting private practices, suppliers, and national dental organizations. From ransomware attacks that lock providers out of vital systems to data breaches that expose sensitive patient records, no part of the dental ecosystem is immune. These attacks disrupt operations, damage reputations, and create serious financial and regulatory consequences. As threat actors evolve, the need for a proactive, multi-layered cybersecurity approach has never been more critical.

 

A Growing Threat to the Healthcare Sector

The broader healthcare industry, including dental practices, has become a prime target for ransomware groups. A striking example came in early 2024, when Change Healthcare paid a $22 million ransom to restore operations following a cyberattack. That single incident was followed by a record-setting surge in healthcare-related breaches—44 reported in just one month.

The fallout from the Change Healthcare attack was massive: disrupted data exchange, delayed payments, and widespread operational chaos. If an organization of that scale can be crippled, dental practices—often with fewer resources and protections—are especially vulnerable.

Major Cyber Incidents in the Dental Industry

The dental sector has already seen its share of serious breaches. Among the most notable:

• Dental Care Alliance (DCA): In 2020, a cyberattack compromised the protected health information (PHI) of over 1 million patients across 320+ affiliated practices.

• Henry Schein, Inc.: In late 2023, this global dental supply company was targeted by the BlackCat/ALPHV ransomware gang, disrupting operations and affecting more than 160,000 individuals.

• American Dental Association (ADA): Even the nation’s largest dental organization hasn’t been spared, falling victim to coordinated cyberattacks.

• OneTouchPoint: A 2022 breach at this print/mail vendor impacted over 30 healthcare clients—many of them dental practices—and exposed data from 2.6 million patients.

• Dental Health Management Solutions (DHMS): In 2023, this provider servicing military and correctional facilities was breached, affecting over 300,000 patient records.

• Independent Practices Nationwide: Smaller practices have also been hit. In Minnesota, a clinic was fined for hiding a breach. In South Carolina, dozens of patients were left in limbo after practices were locked out of their systems by attackers.

These examples show that no organization is too large—or too small—to be targeted. In fact, small to mid-sized dental practices are often seen as “soft targets” due to limited IT resources.

Why Dental Practices Are Vulnerable

Many dental offices unknowingly expose themselves to cyber risks due to basic security oversights, including:

• Weak or Default Passwords: Simple passwords like "123456" are still far too common.

• No Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Without MFA, a single stolen password can lead to a full system compromise.

• Outdated or Unpatched Software: Older systems often have known vulnerabilities that hackers actively exploit.

• Lack of Staff Training: Employees remain the most frequent point of failure, easily tricked by phishing emails or social engineering schemes.

Smarter, Stronger Cybersecurity Solutions

To protect against modern threats, dental practices must move beyond basic security and adopt advanced tools and strategies:

• Passwordless Authentication: Technologies like passkeys use biometrics or device-based verification, eliminating password risks.

• Zero Trust Architecture: This model assumes every user and device is a potential threat—requiring constant verification.

• AI-Driven Endpoint Protection: Modern antivirus solutions can detect and block threats in real time, using machine learning.

• Cloud-Based Backups: Secure, encrypted backups stored off-site are essential for quick recovery after a breach.

Action Plan: What Dental Practices Should Do Now

To build resilience and reduce risk, dental organizations should take the following steps:

1. Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication on all systems and accounts.

2. Use a Password Manager to eliminate weak or repeated credentials.

3. Schedule Annual Cybersecurity Audits to uncover vulnerabilities.

4. Train All Staff Regularly on how to identify and respond to cyber threats.

5. Keep Software and Systems Updated with the latest security patches.

6. Partner with IT Providers that specialize in healthcare and HIPAA compliance.

7. Develop and Test an Incident Response Plan to ensure quick recovery when incidents occur.

Conclusion

The dental industry is undergoing rapid digital transformation—bringing better patient care, streamlined workflows, and unfortunately, heightened cyber risk. The consequences of a breach today go far beyond temporary inconvenience. Practices face financial loss, legal exposure, regulatory penalties, and erosion of patient trust.

Cybersecurity is no longer optional. Whether you're a solo practitioner or leading a multi-location network, protecting your digital environment is critical to your long-term success. By taking action now, dental professionals can defend their data, safeguard their patients, and ensure their operations remain resilient in the face of a rising cyber threat.

Thomas Kane is the CEO of Fusion One Technologies, where he helps dental and healthcare organizations strengthen their IT infrastructure and implement forward-thinking cybersecurity strategies tailored to the unique challenges of the medical sector.