Equipment and property, approximately 1,700 patient records containing patient information were compromised or missing
TAMPA, Fla. (October 13, 2020) — Coast Dental & Orthodontics is notifying patients about a data theft investigation. The information stolen involves certain patients who received care at the Coast Dental offices in Conyers and North Druid Hills in Georgia.
During the night of August 6, 2020 into August 7, 2020, a locked moving truck containing equipment and patient records was stolen from a parking lot in Atlanta, Georgia. The police recovered the truck on or about August 8, 2020 and the truck was secured by the police and placed in an impound lot. Coast Dental placed a lock on the truck while it was in the secured impound lot until the truck could be moved from impound. On August 25, 2020, Coast Dental recovered access and possession of the truck and the items inside the truck. Coast Dental secured the contents and transferred the property to its facility in Florida. From approximately August 26 through August 28, 2020, the contents were inventoried, and upon a full investigation, it was discovered that among other equipment and property, approximately 1,700 patient records containing patient information were compromised or missing.
In an abundance of caution, on October 13, 2020, Coast started mailing letters to affected patients, notifying them of this incident and also offering access to credit monitoring services at no cost to those whose social security numbers may have been compromised. Patients whose information was involved are advised to follow the instructions in the letter to protect their data.
Patients who believe they may be affected by this incident may call (855) 252-2731 Monday – Friday between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m., and Saturday – Sunday between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST., excluding major U.S. holidays.
Coast Dental is committed to protecting the confidentiality and security of patient information. In response to the incident, Coast Dental has provided additional education to its workforce members and refined processes to better secure patient information.
About Coast Dental
Coast Dental Services, LLC, with its professional associations, is one of the largest providers of general and specialty dental care in the United States with more than 100 affiliated practices operating as Coast Dental & Orthodontics. Coast Dental Services, LLC is a privately-held practice management company that provides comprehensive, non-clinical business and administrative services to its affiliated practices. The company is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit www.coastdental.com.
