The hidden privacy risks inside every dental practice and how to fix them before they hurt Dentistry runs on routine: regular cleanings, recall reminders, daily sterilization logs, and those little timers beeping away in the operatories. But there is one checkup that almost every practice forgets: a privacy checkup. Unlike clinical risks, privacy risks do … Read more
With 30 years in the industry, Anne Genge discusses the importance of cybersecurity in dental practices and the types of cyber threats that dental professionals need to be aware of. With 95% of breaches involving human error and stresses, she explains that the need for comprehensive training and policies is essential. Newcom Media Inc · … Read more
Abstract The rise of artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever for cybercriminals to exploit stolen data. One overlooked risk is the Google Takeout archive, a downloadable file that contains the full contents of a Google account, including emails, contacts, calendars, photos, and even location history. For healthcare providers who use Gmail, this can … Read more
In early July 2025, a class-action lawsuit1 was filed against Heartland Dental, the largest dental support organization (DSO) in the United States. The lawsuit alleges that Heartland used AI-powered call tracking and transcription tools from RingCentral without obtaining informed consent from patients. It’s an eye-opener for the entire dental profession especially for those of us … Read more
I usually write about cybersecurity, phishing attacks, ransomware, and network vulnerabilities—but January is Privacy Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review the challenges of privacy in the dental office. As a Certified Information Privacy & Security Professional working in dentistry for over 20 years, I know you’re often overwhelmed by different types of … Read more
Anne Genge, a cybersecurity expert specializing in dental practices, discusses the importance of cybersecurity, particularly how to avoid ransomware and phishing threats and the importance of training for the entire dental team. Newcom Media Inc · Episode 20 – How to protect your dental office from ransomware and phishing Read the audio transcript below: Dr. … Read more
As a keen reader of Oral Health, you are likely well-versed in the importance of dental hygiene. While both dental hygiene and data hygiene require proactive, ongoing attention to prevent serious consequences, data hygiene in cybersecurity focuses not on preventing gum disease but on the practices and processes used to ensure that data remains clean, … Read more
No business is immune to cybercrime, and dental practices are prime targets for ransomware, hacking, and data theft. The sensitivity of patient data, combined with often inadequate cybersecurity measures and untrained staff, makes dentistry an attractive target for cybercriminals. For one dentist, the reality of this danger hit hard when a single click on a … Read more
The dreaded Blue Screen and its aftershocks are well known by all of us. As one Alberta dental group (The “Dental Provider”) learned too late, there are other critical malfunctions that you and your systems administrator need to be aware of – in this case, an irretrievable disappearance of the patient database. On the positive … Read more
Digital Transformation and Rising Cyber Threats Twenty-five years ago, dental practices operated in a world where paper records were the norm, and digital technology was just beginning to make its mark. In the intervening years, the dental industry, like many others, has embraced digital transformation. Patient records have migrated from file cabinets to databases, film-based … Read more
It is an incredible time to be a dentist. Advancements in dentistry technology present an exhilarating array of opportunities. As a new dentist, you are poised at the forefront of an industry undergoing profound transformation, driven by cutting-edge technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) integration. However, this technological boon also comes with an array of challenges, … Read more
Training your team is the most impactful way to secure your practice. This solution seems simplistic, but it is the key to fundamentally strengthening the cybersecurity posture of your dental practice. In cybersecurity, two methods stand out for their effectiveness and ease of implementation: security awareness training and security risk assessment. These approaches are not … Read more
Congratulations on choosing dentistry. It is an exciting time for the industry with the explosion of technology designed to aid diagnostics, treatment planning, case acceptance, and more. Although there’s abundant technology to advance your practice, it’s also important to recognize that with connectivity comes risk, especially when dealing with sensitive personal health information (PHI). While … Read more
In our physical lives, choosing a safe neighbourhood is crucial. However, we are all inadvertently living in high-risk areas in the digital world. While a hub of information and connectivity, the internet is also rife with cyber threats. This landscape makes cybersecurity a personal concern and a collective responsibility. We need to learn about it … Read more
Cybersecurity is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century. Cybercrime affects multinational corporations, small businesses like dental offices, and individuals. Technology is essential to our lives, so cybersecurity matters to ALL of us! Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to raise awareness and empower individuals, teams, and businesses to protect and safeguard patient and employee … Read more
Today’s digital age has revolutionized dentistry as we know it, enabling streamlined processes from appointment booking to patient communication. The transformation, however, has also made the dental industry a target for cyber threats. As in dentistry, prevention is key in the world of cybersecurity. Dental hygienists need to be savvy about data security to ensure … Read more
Cybercrime poses an increasingly serious threat to dental clinics. If patient data has been impacted by a cyber-attack (such as a ransomware event), it may be impossible to provide dental treatment safely. If a dental office’s IT systems or procedural defences fail, knowing how to react to a cyberattack becomes vitally important. Hoping for the … Read more
Artificial intelligence (AI) has seeped into almost every realm of our existence, transforming how we interact with the world. Dentistry has also begun to feel the influence of this burgeoning technology. While AI has the potential to advance dental care dramatically, it simultaneously increases the industry’s exposure to cyber threats. We must ask, “Does the … Read more
Two decades ago, most dental practices had thousands of paper patient charts. It was evident if a break-in occurred and charts were tampered with or stolen. However, today’s reality is different. Our patient records are stored on a server and often forgotten about until something doesn’t work. The records become invisible. The challenge now is … Read more
This Root Canal Appreciation Day, ESET wants Canadian dentists to strengthen their cybersecurity Today is Root Canal Appreciation Day – while we can’t imagine appreciating something that can be so unpleasant, as a Cybersecurity firm what we can praise is taking preventive actions to avoid something truly painful. Dentistry, along with other medical practices, are … Read more