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Volume 37 • Issue 4
Changing Course Is it ever too late to take your dental practice in a different, specialized direction?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
NEWS
Sleep Remedy UB surgeon offers sleep apnea sufferers alternative to CPAP machine . . . . . 6 An Invitation to Run Nominees sought to lead NYSDA in 2025 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEW YORK STATE DENTAL ASSOCIATION
Beyond Bars Improving Dental Health for New York’s Incarcerated Youth The need for dental providers is critical. Filling the void is necessary component to rehabilitation. Stacy McIlduff, CFRE
Top 3 Ways Hackers Breach Dental Practices And How to Protect Your Yourself Gary Salman CYBERSECURITY MIGHT not be the first thing you think of when running a dental practice, but hackers know your office is a treasure trove of sensitive patient information. From insurance details to Social Security numbers, to driver’s licenses, to highly regulated data controlled by New York State and federal laws, dental practices are prime targets. Understanding how hackers breach networks—and how to prevent these breaches—can protect your practice from financial, legal and reputational damage. Patient data is highly regulated under New York State and federal Law (think HIPAA). In more than 90% of ransomware attacks, hackers will steal some or all your patient data regardless of whether you are using the cloud or your own server. The hacker’s modus operandi includes stealing your data, destroying backups, and encrypting all computers and data—basically “bringing you to your knees.” Here are the top three ways hackers gain access to dental practice networks and simple steps to reduce the risk.
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esearch indicates a strong correlation between poverty in childhood and an increased likelihood of incarceration. Youth from low-income backgrounds face multiple risk factors that increase their odds of entering the justice system. Poverty-related challenges such as inadequate education, exposure to violence, limited access to mental health resources and family support contribute to higher rates of school suspensions, dropouts and behavioral issues, all of which can push these children into the juvenile justice system. According to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services’ Juvenile Justice Detention Monitoring Report, a total of 3,854 juvenile detention admissions occurred across New York State in 2023. These youth, typically between the ages of 13 and 21, often enter the system from underserved communities and have experienced significant trauma. The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) supervises the treatment and care of court-placed youth, managing residential facilities and providing them with the support they need to successfully reintegrate into society. Support services include education, employment training, recreation, counseling, mental health services, medical and dental care in both secure and limited secure facilities across the state. The dental needs of these youth are significant and ongoing, particularly in the mid-Hudson and Rochester areas. There are nine residential facilities located in both urban and rural areas of the state. While each facility has
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