How Dental Practices Can Gain an Advantage Through Dental IT Services

Data or information is the heartbeat of business in a world driven by data. The dental office is a prime example of a data-dependent environment. How a dental practice manages its data directly influences office processes, team demeanor, the customer journey, and profitability. An excellent dental IT management solution will improve overall office process efficiencies, enhance and preserve team harmony, promote a positive and pleasant customer journey, and increase and protect profitability. A well-run dental practice gains a competitive advantage, but a dental practice cannot operate well without a solid managed IT service provider. The IT solution must also feature a 24/7 IT management support component.

Most dental practices are unable to maintain a dental office IT support expert. Even if an office were able to staff a full-time IT manager, it is unlikely that one person would be able to stay fully informed about the latest IT industry issues and advancements. Securing the services of a local IT management provider with a specialization in dental practice IT software, network, hardware, and cybersecurity is a superior solution.

Dental offices require managed IT services that provide HIPAA compliance, operational efficiency, software services, network services, hardware repair and maintenance, cybersecurity, VoIP, and many other dental specific needs essentials for modern dental practices. Imaging, accounting, patient processing, and the entire spectrum of dental office software applications fall under the umbrella of IT managed services.

Mobile Computer Services, Inc. of Raleigh offers a spectrum of IT services designed specifically for a dental practice. The team manages the IT needs of the dental office, so the dentist can focus on helping patients. Mobile Computer Services, Inc. provides managed IT services, network services, business continuity planning, IT consulting for dentists, IT security, on-demand services, office moves, VoIP, email protection, and hardware as a service.

Mobile Computer Services, Inc. has assisted many dental practices in the Raleigh area in the implementation of the necessary protocols to ensure HIPAA compliance. They ensure that communications systems, patient information collection, data transmission, and records storage and maintenance processes include the specific steps required for HIPAA compliance.  Don’t just take our word for it, see what MCS customers say here.

The priority of Mobile Computer Services, Inc. is the continuous, smooth, flawless operation of the dentist’s practice. 24/7 proactive monitoring and management of a practice’s IT systems are the key feature of the company’s service menu. Their managed IT services for dentists include designing and installing new systems or maintaining older systems that are already in place. Their wide range of services can be tailored to fit needs ranging from remote desktop support to in-person computer support at the dental practice.

Network Services

Skilled, qualified technicians deliver comprehensive care for the dental IT network. The competent team ensures no loss of critical information or productivity.

Business Continuity Planning

Technical issues occasionally emerge. Having the correct systems and backups in place eliminates worry and brings peace of mind to the conscientious dentist. With Mobile Computer Services, Inc., a dental practice has access to state-of-the-art back-up and data restoration systems. Active management of all relevant systems coupled with proactive steps to mitigate risks safeguards dental offices that have secured IT management services and support from Mobile Computer Services, Inc.

IT Consulting for Dentists

A professional consult brings expert insights into dental IT services. Consultants know the systems and hardware required to enable the dental practice to function at optimum performance.

IT Security for Dentists

Document security and safety is a critical need for every dental practice. The legal complications of a data breach can be expensive to mediate, and full compliance with HIPAA is a non-negotiable for a dental practice. One of the functions of a dental IT management team is to mitigate the risk of a cyber-attack on a practice. Mobile Computer Services, Inc. can deploy a robust cybersecurity solution that safeguards data and protects dental practices against damage and security breaches.

On-Demand Services for Dental Practices

Peace of mind accompanies the knowledge that a support team is on call around the clock and available to repair malfunctioning technology and broken computers. Clients only pay for the support they need.

Office Moves

With the growth in the economy, some dentists are expanding at their current location or moving to a larger location. Flexible, customizable cabling solutions can be configured to accommodate expansion or a move. Competent assistance with the move or expansion means that the technology infrastructure will be in place on time and will be functional according to plan.

VoIP

Implementation of a VoIP system protects dental practice from becoming obsolete. The VoIP solutions from Mobile Computer Services, Inc. provide high-quality audio as well as conferencing capabilities. Dentists can reduce phone bills, improve communications with clients, and increase the productivity of staff with VoIP.

Email Protection

Email protection is an area often neglected by dental practices, yet it is one of the primary ways that customers interact with the office. Emails are a prime target of cyber-attacks. The cyber specialists at Mobile Computer Services, Inc. build an email infrastructure designed to ensure business continuity while remaining completely secure and infection-free.

Hardware as a Service for Dental Practices

The cost of new hardware can be staggering. Over time, operating systems and hardware components become outdated and need replacing. HaaS (hardware as a service) provides dental practice with the equipment, accessories, and support needed at an affordable price point.

For more information about the IT support specialist Raleigh dentists trust for cybersecurity. The team can be contacted by phone at (919) 230-2900.

IT Red Flags to Watch Out For and How a Managed IT Service Provider Can Help

As a business owner and the primary decision-maker for your company, you’re juggling a lot of balls. You’re responsible for driving the growth of your business, maintaining good relationships with clients and stepping in to get the job done when things slip through the cracks.

With so much going on, it’s easy to overlook IT issues that need to be addressed quickly and decisively. If you’re struggling to stay on top of things, your IT (computers, devices, internet, network, servers and more) is one thing that can easily be outsourced to amanaged IT service provider and, when done correctly, will offer peace of mind as well as delivering a service that is more robust and effective than you would be able to manage yourself.

IT red flags that you should be watching out for include:

1. Strange pop-ups that you don’t recognize and haven’t opted-in for - your managed IT service provider can immediately address any malware problem

These can happen at any time if your system has been infected. They could show on your screen if you’re trying to access a spreadsheet or document and prevent you from opening the file directly. Instead, you may have to click on a series of pop-ups that could take you to a malicious site. These pop-ups are an indication of malware in your system. 

2. An ad-ware ambush when your browser has been hijacked - your managed IT service provider can remove ad-ware that could do further damage to your system

These are pop-ups that show up on your browser when you don’t expect them while using the internet. Ahijacked browser will continue showing online ads and are dangerous as a single errant click could have you downloading additional malware to your computer, which has the potential to infect your whole IT network.

3. When you receive spam emails sent from your company’s official email address - get an encrypted email security service from your IT service provider

Email viruses are usually downloaded by a staff member, and the downloaded file then replicates across the network using email. Here, the victim'semail security is penetrated, and the viruses typically access the email contact list and send emails to all contacts.

4. Issues where software and hardware aren’t working properly - your managed IT service provider will provide all support needed to quickly fix any software and hardware problem

It’s normal to experience glitches every now and again, but if processes and programs that used to work properly are now continually failing, it’s a sign that malware has infected the computer(s) and/or the network. If the problem seems to be escalating, it may mean that the virus is spreading and infecting more and more files.

All this is a lot to keep on top of and it’s difficult to constantly monitor the health of your computer as well as everyone else’s in the office. Sometimes issues creep in slowly so you don’t immediately catch a machine that’s operating sub-optimally or a program that simply doesn’t work anymore. And, even if you do notice these red flags, it may already be too late.

The cost of a malware infection may be significant both in terms of time to resolve it as well as the financial cost of hiring an expert to get to the root of the issue. A managed IT service provider is, therefore, an excellent preventative solution as they actively manage your entire network, identifying and removing issues before they have a chance to damage the company’s system.

Mobile Computer Services in Wake Forest, NC is a managed IT company that offers its clients a flat-rate maintenance plan that proactively monitors your network, significantly reduces downtime and reduces expensive repair costs. Their IT services give local business owners access to a knowledgeable, experienced IT service, at a rate far lower than the cost of an in-house IT department. They have the expertise to prevent issues before they occur thanks to round-the-clock active monitoring and ongoing maintenance.

Managed IT Services Help Dental Practices Protect Against Cyber Attacks

According to a recent study, the average direct cost of a cyber-attack resulting in a security breach at a small business is approximately $38,000. Downtime ($23,000), lost business opportunities ($5,000), and the service providers the company will need to hire to deal with the cybersecurity breach are included in this figure. Small businesses pay an average of about $10,000 in professional services which include hiring an IT security and risk management team, auditors, lawyers, accountants, and public-relations consultants. The actual direct cost to a small business such as a dental practice may not be exactly $38,000. However, when adjusted for scale, the financial expense to recover from a security breach could be even more impactful.

These expenses are the visible costs of a cyber-attack. Other hidden but real costs are often overlooked, underestimated, or unaccounted for. An iceberg illustrates the relationship between the “above the surface” and the “below the surface” costs. It is the hidden 90% of the iceberg that has the greatest potential to sink ships.

Hidden Costs of a Cyber-Attack on a Dental Practice

Common perceptions of cyber-attacks are mostly shaped by what companies and businesses are required to report publicly. Instances of cybersecurity breaches of which the public is most aware involve payment data, personal health information (PHI), and the theft of personally identifiable information (PII). Other instances of security breaches rarely attract public attention. These cases include espionage, intellectual property (IP) theft, attacks on core operations, destruction of data, or attempts to disable critical infrastructure. With the prevalence and impact of cybersecurity breaches expanding, business owners and professionals such as dentists and orthodontists must be acutely aware not only of direct impact costs to their businesses but also the hidden costs associated with a cybersecurity breach.

Increased insurance premiums

An area of expense that is indirect but associated with a cyber breach has to do with insurance premiums. Insurance premium increases are the extra costs an insured business incurs to purchase or renew cyber insurance policies after a cyber incident.

Factors influencing the premium amount include:

• Information concerning the circumstances surrounding the incident and unmitigated culpability
• Intentions to improve the security solution
• Anticipated litigation
• Assumptions regarding the policy holder’s level of cybersecurity maturity

Increased costs to borrow funds

Should there be a drop in credit rating following a cyber incident, the victimized business will face higher interest rates for borrowed capital, whether it is raising debt or renegotiating existing debt. This situation could directly impact plans and efforts to expand a dental practice to multiple locations. The practice is now perceived as a higher-risk borrower following a cybersecurity incident. The additional interest expense paid over time could be staggering. It is virtually impossible to calculate the lost profit resulting from the failure to scale to meet market demand due to the inability to obtain reasonable interest rates on investment capital.

Disruptions or destruction of business operations

This highly variable cost includes losses related to manipulation of or changes in normal business operations and expenses associated with rebuilding operational capabilities. Victims of a cyber-attack will need to repair facilities and equipment, build temporary infrastructure, redirect resources, or increase existing resources to replace systems that were disabled. In a dental practice, disruption in patient flow for any reason directly and immediately impacts cash flow.

Customer relationship losses

Quantifying the loss of clients or customers after a breach can be very difficult. Economists and marketing teams address this issue by assigning a value to each client or customer to quantify how much the business must invest to regain particular customers. Dental practices acquire loyal customers and build relationships that last a lifetime. Losing a patient certainly carries a monetary loss, but the relational expense could be even more painful.

Value of unrealized revenue from lost contracts

The fallout from a cyber-attack could impact present and future contracts for goods and services for any business, including dental practice. Projections are only estimates, but these estimates are grounded in real numbers and trends. Projecting future losses or unfulfilled gains could exponentially increase the cost of a cyber-attack. The value of lost contract revenue, such as Invisalign, braces, and retainers, includes revenue, income, and future opportunities that are lost when a contract is terminated following a cyber incident.

Devaluation of trade name

To accurately assess the financial impact on the value of a trade name, the pre-attack and post-attack value must be calculated. This cost could approach the value of the practice itself, especially if the brand has an identity that transcends the dentist’s name. If the victimized dental practice is ever put up for sale, the damaged brand or trade name could be an expensive liability.

Loss of intellectual property

The loss of intellectual property (IP) is an intangible cost associated with loss of exclusive control over trade secrets, copyrights, investment plans, and other proprietary or confidential information. The loss of IP can result in the loss of competitive advantage, revenue losses, and potentially irreparable economic damage to the dental practice. Just a few examples of IP includes patents, copyrights, designs, trademarks, and trade secrets. In larger, multi-dentist, multi-location, or even franchised locations, the loss of IP could dissolve a lifetime of effort and investment for all parties involved.

Damaged reputation

A cyber-attack inflicts more than stress and financial pain. It also damages a dental practice’s reputation. The long-term value of reputation and perception in the dental industry is all but impossible to tangibly calculate. What is the value of a good name and a solid reputation? It is priceless. Cyber-attacks wound deeper than dollars. To mitigate a negative impact on reputation, managing risks and vulnerability to cyber attackers must be a central focus in order to ensure a dental practice’s reputation remains intact.

The impacts of a cyber-attack can affect a business in various ways depending on the nature and severity of the attack. No business, not even a dental practice, is immune. Thankfully, outsourced IT managed services are a simple, affordable solution to protect dental practice against the painful effects of a successful cyber-attack.

To learn more about dental IT services, contact Mobile Computer Services, Inc., one of the most skilled managed IT service providers in Wake Forest. Staff can be reached by phone at (919) 230-2900.