Apr 18, 2025
3 things you missed in government this week
ADA News is providing a roundup of three happenings in government that you may have missed this week.
Apr 18, 2025
ADA News is providing a roundup of three happenings in government that you may have missed this week.
Apr 16, 2025
Nebraska became the 12th state to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact after Gov. Jim Pillen signed Legislative Bill 148 into law.
Apr 15, 2025
A Day of Remembrance recognized the dentists who helped identify victims after the bombing on April 19, 1995.
Apr 15, 2025
The ADA is affirming the safety and effectiveness of community water fluoridation amid federal efforts to cease the practice.
Apr 11, 2025
ADA News is providing a roundup of three happenings in government that you may have missed this week.
Apr 10, 2025
Apr 10, 2025
The ADA is signing onto a coalition letter highlighting the success and importance of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Apr 9, 2025
All ADA members have a basic profile they can update by logging in to their My ADA account portal.
Apr 9, 2025
The ADA is reaffirming its support of water fluoridation amid reports that RFK Jr. will direct the CDC to stop recommending the practice.
Apr 8, 2025
Here are five facts you may not know about the American Association of Orthodontists from its president, John Callahan, D.D.S.
Apr 8, 2025
The CDC's entire Division of Oral Health was gutted amid the Trump administration’s efforts to majorly restructure federal health agencies.
Apr 8, 2025
The editorial written by ADA President Brett Kessler, D.D.S., and President-elect Richard Rosato, D.M.D., appears in JADA.
Apr 7, 2025
The study survey asked general dentists to rate their comfort with various scenarios.
Apr 4, 2025
ADA News is providing a roundup of three happenings in government that you may have missed this week.
Apr 4, 2025
The ADA is joining a coalition calling on Congress to reject a proposed budget resolution that would likely impose cuts to Medicaid.
Apr 4, 2025
The ADA supports a bill allowing certain dental faculty members to exclude the amount of their loan forgiveness from federal income taxes.
Apr 3, 2025
The eighth annual ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day took place in Washington, D.C.
Apr 3, 2025
Lands’ End Outfitters is increasing its discount on merchandise and logo application from 10% to 20%.
Apr 3, 2025
Dental assistants now have a pathway to become oral preventive assistants in Arizona after Gov. Katie Hobbs signed S.B. 1124 into law.
Apr 2, 2025
The ADA is pushing for the exemption of medical and dental supplies, equipment and devices from tariffs,
Over the past two years of practice disruption due to the pandemic, dentists have become attuned to navigating new challenges and balancing complex risks. However, there are some issues that blindside even the most seasoned practice owners. Imagine coming in ready to start the day, booting up your computer to check the schedule and then … nothing. There’s just a blank screen, or worse yet, a message stating that your system has been locked and a demand for a payment to gain access. When a ransomware attack hits, your practice comes to a screeching halt. A compromised system can mean no access to schedules, billing or patient records.
Cybercriminals have been leveraging practice disruptions to launch ransomware attacks in skyrocketing numbers. Dentists must proactively protect their practice systems, be prepared for the eventuality of receiving a demand and follow sound steps to recover from an attack.
In just one case handled by The Dentists Insurance Company, the total costs to conduct a forensic IT investigation, get systems back online and cover lost business neared $100,000. When the dentist could not access his files, it soon became clear that the system had been hacked and the practice was a victim of ransomware. As patient data was stored in the cloud, the dentist didn’t believe that there had been a data breach but was still paralyzed from doing business because his systems and files were locked.
By the time a forensic IT firm was engaged to regain access to the system, get it back up and running again and unlock the data, the dentist had already paid a $25,000 ransom demand. The insurance claim reflected more than $70,000 in costs due to the amount of time the practice operations were down plus the expertise needed to investigate and reconcile the records and data.
In cases like this, recovering data and reimbursement for the associated financial loss is crucial to practice sustainability. But the investigation into how the system was accessed can be priceless in helping to support and train the practice team in mitigating future crises. In today’s high-risk climate, everyone on the team should understand the potential implications of clicking on an attachment from an untrusted source or opening a malicious email.
Prevention
The dedicated analysts who answer The Dentists Insurance Company’s Risk Management Advice Line field calls from association members across the 15 states TDIC serves, helping them to navigate practice challenges — everything from patient care to documentation to employment to property. These experts have also developed tools that TDIC policyholders can access at any time by logging into their accounts online through the company’s newly enhanced website.
Resources to support cyber incident prevention include:
These tools, in addition to guidance from your IT professional, can help you train your staff on recognizing and mitigating cyber risks.
Protection
A proactive approach also means having the right type and amount of insurance coverage in place. To keep pace with today’s evolving risks, owners — regardless of practice size — need insurance that goes beyond data breach. Look for a policy that is built to help you respond to and recover from a broad range of cyber incidents.
TDIC Business Owner’s policyholders can apply to add Cyber Suite Liability coverage at any time. If you don’t yet have cyber insurance or are unsure about your coverage, request a free policy review to compare your options and determine the solution that best fits your practice needs. Don’t wait until a ransomware attack to realize what your policy does or doesn’t cover.
Response
With ransomware attacks on the rise, even well-prepared and well-protected practices will still be targeted. If you do experience an incident, it can be difficult to maintain the presence of mind to respond in a way that mitigates further risk.
While every incident is different, these six steps are sound guidance to support you:
Following a response plan and sharing accurate information with your insurer are both crucial to your recovery and initiating the claim process. Know that you’re not alone when faced with a cyberattack or ransomware demand. TDIC recognizes the stress and disruption that is created when these cyber events occur and has created resources to assist with implementing a proactive approach for your practice. Stay informed of cybercrime trends and reach out to the experts at your professional insurance company for guidance on setting up prevention plans to lessen the risks of future incidents.