Here are three data breach affecting dental practices that Becker's has covered since March 28:
1. Burke, Va.-based Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial and Implant Surgery experienced a security breach that may have affected patient data.
An unknown criminal accessed and acquired certain files from NOVA OMS between Oct. 3-6, 2023, which may have involved personal or protected health information, according to a March 28 news release from the practice.
Information that was potentially affected includes individuals' names, Social Security numbers, individual tax identification numbers, driver's license or state identification numbers, dates of birth, patient IDs, medical information, and health insurance information.
2. Phoenix-based Risas Dental & Braces experienced a data breach that may have involved the protected health information of its patients.
The dental group said it discovered evidence of unusual activity on its systems in July 2023. An investigation determined that certain files stored on the practice's information systems may have been downloaded without authorization. The practice completed a review of the affected information Jan. 26, according to a March 28 news release.
The information potentially involved in the incident include contact information, certain treatment information and insurance information.
3. Fayetteville, N.C.-based Village Family Dental experienced an attack on its network which potentially impacted patient data.
The practice experienced unusual activity on its network Nov. 17. After detecting the activity, Village Family Dental took its impacted systems offline, engaged with third-party cybersecurity specialists and launched an investigation, according to an April 8 news release.
On Feb. 8, the investigation revealed that the potentially compromised data included full names, patient ID numbers, provider names, addresses, dates of birth, chart numbers, telephone numbers and email addresses.