Village Family Dental, operating under Knowles, Smith & Associates, has issued a notice regarding a recent cybersecurity breach involving Protected Health Information (PHI) as defined by HIPAA. The incident, detected on November 17, 2023, prompted the immediate shutdown of affected systems and engagement of third-party cybersecurity specialists to address the issue. An investigation concluded on February 8, 2024, revealing potential unauthorized access to patient data, including full names, patient ID numbers, and contact details such as addresses and phone numbers. While there’s no evidence of misuse, the dental practice is taking precautionary measures and has notified affected patients.
The unauthorized access to Village Family Dental’s systems reportedly occurred around November 16, 2023. Despite no confirmed misuse of patient information, the dental clinic has opted for transparency, alerting patients to the incident to empower them to take additional measures to safeguard their data if they deem it necessary. Patient notification was provided on April 8, 2024, to individuals whose contact details were on file, demonstrating the clinic’s commitment to maintaining transparency and protecting patient privacy.
Village Family Dental emphasizes its dedication to safeguarding both employee and patient data, collaborating with cybersecurity experts to enhance internal practices and controls. The clinic remains proactive in mitigating risks associated with the breach and is cooperating with law enforcement agencies in their investigation. Patients are encouraged to access additional information on safeguarding their data through resources available on the clinic’s website, demonstrating Village Family Dental’s commitment to supporting patients in protecting their information.
