If you’re only talking to your IT provider once a year—usually during contract renewal—you’re putting your dental practice at risk.
Technology in modern dental offices isn’t “set it and forget it.” HIPAA regulations, cybersecurity threats, and system performance are always changing. That’s why regular, quarterly IT check-ins are essential for dental practices in Salt Lake City to stay secure, compliant, and efficient.
Not sure what to ask your dental IT provider? I’ve got you.
Here are 7 must-ask questions every Salt Lake City dental clinic should be asking their Managed IT Services provider—no fluff, no tech jargon. Just the critical info to keep your practice running like clockwork.
- Are There Any Security Vulnerabilities in Our System Right Now?
Start with the obvious: Is our patient data safe today?
As a dental practice handling sensitive health information, you’re a top target for cybercriminals. Ask your IT team:
- Is our antivirus and malware protection current?
- Are our systems and dental software (like Dentrix or Open Dental) fully patched?
- Have there been any recent red flags or threats detected?
Salt Lake City dental practices must meet strict HIPAA compliance standards—and unpatched systems or outdated firewalls could land you in hot water.
- What’s the Status of Our Backups—and Have You Tested Them?
You don’t want to find out your backups failed when you’ve already lost data.
Ask:
- When was the last full recovery test?
- Are we backing up the right patient data and practice records?
- Are backups stored offsite or in the cloud?
- Are they encrypted and HIPAA-compliant?
Cloud-based backup and disaster recovery is non-negotiable for dental practices in Utah—it’s your safety net against ransomware, natural disasters, and hardware failures.
- Are Our Employees Following Cybersecurity Best Practices?
Your team is the first (and sometimes weakest) line of defense.
Ask:
- Are there signs of risky user behavior on our network?
- Have we done phishing simulations recently?
- Are all users set up with multi-factor authentication?
An effective IT strategy for dental offices includes both technical protections and staff training—especially with remote access and billing teams working offsite.
- Is Anything Slowing Down Our Network or Dental Software?
If your digital X-rays take forever to load or Dentrix crashes mid-appointment, it’s more than annoying—it’s bad for business.
Ask:
- Are we seeing recurring slowdowns or hardware bottlenecks?
- Is our current IT setup still a fit for our practice size?
- Can anything be optimized to improve performance?
Fast, reliable network support is critical for Salt Lake dental clinics that rely on digital imaging, cloud-based systems, and seamless chart access.
- Are We Still Compliant With HIPAA and Other Data Regulations?
Regulatory compliance isn’t optional—it’s a legal (and ethical) obligation.
Ask:
- Are we still fully aligned with HIPAA requirements?
- Have there been any new dental industry regulations?
- Do we need updates to our policies, software, or access controls?
Compliance audits are no joke. Proactive dental IT compliance consulting helps prevent fines and protects your practice’s reputation.
- What Should We Budget for Next Quarter?
Avoid surprise IT costs and plan like a pro.
Ask:
- Are there any licenses expiring soon?
- Do we need to replace aging workstations or servers?
- What upgrades or projects should we prioritize?
A proactive IT partner for dental practices helps you forecast costs and prevent expensive emergencies—because nothing’s worse than being blindsided during a busy week of appointments.
- Are We Falling Behind on Dental Technology or Cybersecurity Trends?
Technology evolves fast—especially in the healthcare space.
Ask:
- Are we missing any essential tools or updates?
- What are other Salt Lake City dental practices doing that we’re not?
- Are there emerging threats we should be preparing for?
A great dental-focused IT support provider isn’t just reactive. They guide your practice forward with tailored, strategic advice.
If You’re Not Having These Conversations, That’s a Red Flag 🚩
If your current IT support team isn’t having these check-ins—or can’t confidently answer these questions—you might not be getting the dental IT support you need.
Technology should be a tool, not a stressor.
Get a FREE Dental Network & Security Assessment Today
We help dental practices in Salt Lake City uncover risks, improve compliance, and optimize their tech—so their teams can focus on what matters: patient care.
📅 Click here to book your free, no-pressure assessment and finally take control of your IT.
Because smoother systems mean smoother checkups—for everyone.
