HIPAA Compliance

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) mandates data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information. Federal HIPAA regulations include requirements for doctors to safeguard, store and transmit electronically maintained information to protect patients’ privacy. Adherence to these requirements can help dentists avoid potential prosecution and sanctions. In addition to the requirements for the security associated with information technology and electronically maintained patient health records, both HIPAA and New York State laws include provisions for the protection of patient privacy.

As a result of the electronic prescribing requirements, virtually all dentists practicing in New York are maintaining protected patient health information in an electronic format. This exposes dentists to serious risks of system breaches and liability.
 
Additional links: 

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Additional information on HIPAA and Cyber Security

HIPAA Compliance Manual

HIPAA Compliance Consent Form

HIPAA FAQs

American Dental Association