Top 5 Cybersecurity Threats Facing Dental Practices in 2025

Dental practices, like other healthcare providers, are prime targets for cyberattacks due to the sensitive nature of the data they handle. Patient records, which include Protected Health Information (PHI), are highly valuable on the black market. Here are the top five cybersecurity threats that dental practices should be aware of in 2025.

1. Phishing and Social Engineering

Phishing attacks remain the most common entry point for cybercriminals. Attackers send fraudulent emails that appear to be from a legitimate source, tricking staff into revealing passwords, clicking malicious links, or downloading malware. With the rise of AI-generated content, these attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to spot.

2. Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware is a significant threat to dental practices. An attacker can encrypt all of a practice’s data—including patient records, appointment schedules, and billing information—and demand a ransom for its release. Without a solid backup and recovery plan, a ransomware attack can halt operations and lead to a significant financial loss.

3. Insider Threats

Not all threats come from outside. Insider threats, both malicious and accidental, are a major concern. An employee could intentionally leak patient data for financial gain, or, more commonly, an accidental action—like losing a USB drive or clicking a bad link—can compromise the entire network.

4. Weak Network and Device Security

Many dental practices use outdated hardware or software that is no longer supported with security patches. Unsecured Wi-Fi networks, shared passwords, and unmanaged devices (like staff members' personal phones) create easy entry points for attackers. Without a strong security policy for network access and device management, a practice is highly vulnerable.

5. Supply Chain Attacks

Dental practices rely on a variety of third-party vendors, from practice management software to billing services. A supply chain attack occurs when a hacker breaches one of these vendors, using that access to then target their customers—in this case, your practice. A breach at a vendor could put your patient data at risk without you even knowing it.