Howard University

Howard University College of Dentistry operates as a dental education institution within Howard University, located in the United States. It provides dental education to students and delivers clinical dental services to patients. The college serves a significant patient population, with records indicating approximately 81,000 individuals received treatment over a two-year period prior to September 2021. Its clinical operations involve managing sensitive patient information, including dental records, insurance data, and personal details. The institution functions as part of Howard University, contributing to the university's broader academic and healthcare missions. As a dental college, it combines educational programs with patient care, training future dental professionals while addressing community oral health needs.

As a constituent college of Howard University, it shares the university's administrative and academic framework. The college's clinical and educational activities place it within the higher education and healthcare sectors. In September 2021, the college experienced a ransomware attack that encrypted its dental records system, leading to operational disruptions including canceled classes and network shutdowns. This incident affected the 81,000 patients whose data was stored in the compromised system. The college responded by notifying affected individuals, reporting to federal regulators, and implementing enhanced cybersecurity measures. No evidence of data exfiltration was found initially, though the investigation continued. The event underscored the institution's reliance on digital systems for both educational and clinical functions.