Dental Practices Triple Their Focus on Cybersecurity Since 2022 – Here’s Why

Dental Practices Triple Their Focus on Cybersecurity Since 2022 – Here’s Why

The past two years have seen an impressive rise in the number of dental practices investing in cybersecurity awareness training for their teams. There’s been a 300% increase in participation led primarily by Alberta and Ontario.(1)

Dentists are recognizing that cybersecurity threats are very real and that their practice’s security depends heavily on how well their staff is trained. This shift is driven by several key factors, all pointing to the increased awareness of the role training plays in protecting patient and practice data.

1. A Growing Understanding of Cybersecurity Threats

Dental professionals are increasingly aware that they are prime targets for cybercriminals. With the rise of ransomware attacks and phishing scams, dental practices (like all healthcare providers) are at risk of breaches that can lead to devastating financial and reputational damage. In fact, healthcare remains one of the most targeted sectors for cyberattacks, with practices being a treasure trove of personal, financial, and health data. This understanding is motivating many dentists to be proactive, training their teams to spot risks before they become costly breaches.

To understand the direct impact of cybercrime on dentistry read the dental ransomware case study in Oral Health Next Gen https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/nextgen/a-71000-ransomware-nightmare-how-one-dental-practice-recovered-and-lessons-for-every-dentist/

2. The Role of the Team in Preventing Breaches

A significant factor in the surge of training is the realization that staff members can make or break a practice’s security. Many of the most common cyber threats, such as phishing emails or weak passwords, can be neutralized by well-informed employees. By providing the right training, dental practices can significantly reduce their vulnerability. Team members who know what to look for and how to respond to potential threats are critical to maintaining security and avoiding data breaches.

Training ensures that front-line staff, who often handle sensitive patient information and are more likely to encounter phishing attempts, are equipped to act as a first line of defense.

3. Cyber Insurance Requirements

Another driving factor behind this trend is the evolving requirements of cyber insurance. Many insurers now mandate that dental practices provide cybersecurity awareness training for their teams as a condition of coverage. Without this training, practices may find it difficult to qualify for insurance or may face higher premiums. Given the financial stakes involved, this has been a significant motivator for dentists to implement ongoing training programs.

4. The Personal Impact of Cybercrime

Many dental professionals and their team members have experienced cybercrime personally—through phishing scams, identity theft, or data breaches—and this personal impact has increased their awareness of the importance of cybersecurity in the workplace. As individuals become more conscious of the threats in their own digital lives, they are bringing that awareness into their professional environment. Dentists, realizing that the stakes are just as high at work, are taking action to safeguard their practices.

5. A General Increase in Cyberattacks and Awareness

The increase in cyberattacks globally has contributed to heightened awareness in all industries, including dental practices. High-profile breaches and ransomware attacks that make the news further emphasize the need for strong cybersecurity measures. According to recent data, healthcare organizations, including dental practices, face an average cost of $10.93 million per breach in 2023, up from $9.23 million in 2021, making the need for training more urgent than ever. This kind of data is hard to ignore, and it’s pushing more dentists to prioritize cybersecurity training as part of their practice management strategy. A breach calculator using data from the Canadian Dental association illustrates that an average Canadian dentist will spend $338,000 to deal with a data breach.(2)

6. Additional Considerations for Dental Practices

As dental offices become more reliant on technology for everything from patient records to billing, the cybersecurity landscape is becoming increasingly complex. Practices need to stay ahead of emerging threats, and one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to do that is through regular staff training. Not only does this help meet compliance requirements, but it also fosters a culture of security where everyone plays a role in protecting the practice.

Securing Dentistry: A Trend with Staying Power

The impressive rise in cybersecurity training within dental practices is not just a passing trend—it reflects a deeper understanding of the risks and responsibilities associated with running a dental practice in today’s digital age. From the growing awareness of threats to insurance mandates and personal experiences with scams, dentists are increasingly investing in their teams to protect their practices from cyber threats. With the cost of breaches continuing to rise, this focus on training is one of the most effective measures dental practices can take to ensure their long-term security and success.

If you’d like to further protect your practice, Myla Training’s Cyber Security Essentials for Dental Teams offers tailored, easy-to-understand training that can help your staff identify and avoid potential cyber threats. Make sure your team is prepared—contact us today to learn more about our courses and how they can help your practice stay safe.

1. Data from Myla Training Corp & Alexio Corporation

2. CDA Data 2019  Breaches in the Dental Office, Healthcare Breach Calculator – Alexio https://getalexio.com/healthcare-data-breach-calculator/