The Rising Cybersecurity Threat in Dentistry: A Call to Action – by Thomas Kane, CEO, Fusion One Technologies

In today’s digital-first environment, cybersecurity has become a critical necessity for dental practices of all sizes. As practices increasingly rely on technology to manage patient care, schedule appointments, and handle billing, they also become prime targets for cybercriminals. Unfortunately, the dental industry has not kept pace with the evolving threat landscape, leaving many practices exposed to serious risks.

Cyberattacks now threaten not only large healthcare institutions but also small, independent dental offices. These attacks cause devastating disruptions, compromise sensitive data, and often result in regulatory consequences and reputational damage. Cybersecurity is no longer a technical side issue—it’s a core component of running a secure, compliant, and trustworthy dental practice.

A Closer Look at the Threat Landscape

The healthcare sector has seen a dramatic increase in ransomware activity. One of the most alarming incidents was Change Healthcare’s $22 million ransomware payment, which sparked a surge of attacks in the weeks that followed—44 cases in a single month.

This event underscored the vulnerability of healthcare systems, with cybercriminals now targeting smaller sectors like dentistry that may lack comprehensive protections.

Real-World Breaches in the Dental Industry

Recent incidents highlight how widespread and damaging these threats can be:

• Dental Care Alliance (2020): A breach impacted over 1 million patient records across 320 practices.

• Henry Schein, Inc. (2023): Ransomware group BlackCat/ALPHV disrupted operations and compromised data of more than 160,000 individuals.

• American Dental Association: Targeted as part of a broader cyber campaign affecting national dental organizations.

• OneTouchPoint (2022): Breach at this vendor affected 2.6 million patients across healthcare and dental clients.

• Dental Health Management Solutions (2023): Over 300,000 patient records were exposed in a single breach.

• Local Practices: Independent clinics across the U.S. have faced lockouts, data loss, and legal fines following cybersecurity incidents.

These examples prove that no practice is too small or too remote to be at risk.

Common Weaknesses in Dental Cybersecurity

Many dental practices are unknowingly vulnerable due to outdated or incomplete security protocols. Key issues include:

• Weak or default passwords

• Lack of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Unpatched software and legacy systems

• Insufficient staff training on phishing and social engineering

These gaps often serve as easy entry points for cybercriminals.

Modern Security Solutions for Modern Dental Practices

To protect against evolving threats, practices must adopt modern cybersecurity measures:

• Passwordless Authentication: Biometric and device-based solutions eliminate weak password risks.

• Zero Trust Architecture: Verifies every access request to minimize unauthorized entry.

• AI-Powered Endpoint Protection: Detects and neutralizes threats before they cause harm.

• Encrypted Cloud Backups: Ensures fast recovery in case of a breach or ransomware attack.

  
  

Building a Secure Foundation: 7 Steps to Take Now

1. Require MFA on all systems.

2. Replace weak passwords and use password managers.

3. Conduct routine risk assessments and audits.

4. Train all staff in security awareness and phishing prevention.

5. Apply updates and patches as soon as they’re released.

6. Partner with a cybersecurity provider who understands the dental industry.

7. Develop a robust incident response plan and test it regularly.

   
   

Conclusion: Cybersecurity Is Critical to Patient Trust

Dental practices must view cybersecurity as a vital part of patient care. A data breach can damage your brand, compromise patient trust, and trigger costly fines or lawsuits. In a digital world, protecting your systems is protecting your practice.

The time to act is now. Investing in strong cybersecurity isn’t just about avoiding disaster—it’s about future-proofing your practice.

Thomas KaneCEO,

Fusion One Technologies

Cybersecurity Advisor for Dental and Medical Professionals