Sign in
Search

Protecting Your Practice: How Delta Dental of Washington is Enhancing Cybersecurity

At Delta Dental of Washington (DDWA), safeguarding your sensitive patient and provider information is a top priority. In today’s digital world, cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, making it essential for healthcare organizations like ours—and providers like you—to stay vigilant and proactive.

Why Cybersecurity Matters

Dental offices handle a wealth of sensitive data, from patient health records to payment information. Protecting this data isn’t just about compliance—it’s about maintaining trust with your patients and ensuring your practice runs smoothly without disruption.

Cyberattacks, such as phishing, ransomware, and unauthorized access, can jeopardize this trust and lead to costly downtime, data breaches, and legal consequences. That’s why DDWA is committed to implementing strong security measures aligned with the latest regulations and best practices. To help your practice stay informed, we’ve compiled helpful tips and tools on our Cybersecurity Resources page.

Introducing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for Provider Portal Access

One of the most important steps we’re taking to strengthen cybersecurity is rolling out MFA across all Delta Dental portals, including DDWA’s Provider Portal.

Starting October 20, 2025, MFA will be mandatory for all users accessing our portal. MFA requires you to verify your identity using two forms of authentication—typically your password plus a unique code sent to your mobile phone or email. This additional layer of security makes it harder for unauthorized users to gain access to your account, even if your password is compromised.

What You Need to Know About MFA

When: An optional enrollment period begins September 18, 2025, allowing you to set up MFA early and familiarize yourself with the process. MFA becomes mandatory on October 20, 2025.

How: After entering your username and password, you’ll receive a verification code via text or email to complete login. Only one contact method can be associated with each account.

Frequency: MFA is required upon your initial login, when accessing the portal from a new device or browser, after 8 hours of continuous use, or following 30 minutes of inactivity.

Individual Logins: To support security and accountability, we strongly recommend each staff member use their own login credentials. Shared logins can cause access issues and pose security risks under the new MFA process. If a team member doesn’t yet have an account, they can register for the Provider Portal here.

Keeping Your Contact Information Up to Date

To ensure a smooth transition to MFA, please review and update your contact information in the Provider Portal:

  1. Log in to the Provider Portal.
  2. Click “My Account” in the top-right corner.
  3. Select “Mobile and Email” from the dropdown menu.
  4. Confirm your mobile number can receive text messages or provide a valid email address.

Ongoing Support

Our Customer Service Team is available to support you during this transition—whether you need help setting up MFA, troubleshooting login issues, or have general questions. For assistance, please contact us at (800) 554-1907.

Partnering to Strengthen Security

At DDWA, we value our partnership with you and are committed to protecting the security of your practice and patient information. By embracing MFA and other cybersecurity best practices, we can work together to reduce risks, maintain compliance, and provide the highest level of care and trust.

FAQs

MFA is an additional layer of security that requires users to verify their identity using two or more methods before accessing an account—typically something they know (password) and something they have (email, phone).

All Delta Dental Companies nationwide are strengthening their security measures to better protect sensitive patient and provider data. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is a widely recognized and effective tool that helps prevent unauthorized access, phishing attacks, and othercybersecurity threats.

Yes, starting October 20th 2025 MFA will be implemented at the same time across all Delta Dental Companies. Provider’s accessing the portal will be prompted to MFA every time after this date.

After entering your username and password, you'll be prompted to verify your identity through a second method—such as a code sent via text or email.

Initially, it may take a few extra seconds to log in, but the added security helps protect your practice from potential data breaches or disruptions. In the long run, it enhances trust and compliance with data protection standards.

Ensure your contact information (email and phone number) is up to date in your Delta Dental of Washington profile. Once you log in, go to the top right corner and select “My Accounts”. In the drop down select, “Mobile and email.” Note that the mobile phone you input needs to be able to receive text messages. If that is not an option for you, input an appropriate email address.

MFA will require a device to receive a code through text or email. For phone numbers, ensure your state law allows personal device to receive business-related SMS codes.

Yes, all users accessing the portal will be required to complete MFA, regardless of their role or access level.

For DDWA accounts, log in to your Provider Portal, go to the top right corner and select “My Accounts.” In the drop down, select “Mobile and email,” then follow the instructions to update your email and phone number. Please note that the mobile phone you input needs to be able to receive text messages. If that is not an option, input an appropriate email address.

MFA is required the first time you log in from a new device or browser.

Yes, for security reasons, sessions will time out after 8 hours or after a period of 30 minutes of inactivity. This helps prevent unauthorized access in shared or public environments.

They'll need to complete full authentication again (password + MFA). No automatic session extension or "remember me" options available.

To maintain security, shared credentials are strongly discouraged. Each individual should have their own login to ensure accountability and facilitate MFA.

Each team member should ideally use their own credentials. If that is not possible, ensure everyone has access to the designated email inbox to access the code.

MFA is mandatory for all users as part of Delta Dental's updated security protocol. Opting out is not an option.

All Delta Dental’s including DDWA will continue to provide updates via email and within the provider portal. Be sure your contact information is current so you don't miss any important communications.

Keep cybersafe with our cybersecurity education and resources

Video: Outsmart the Bait - How to Identify Phishing Attempts

Watch the course we presented at the 2024 Pacific Northwest Dental Conference (PNDC) on how to reduce your practice’s risk of cyberattacks.

Watch now

Avoid phishing scams with these 5 tips

The Power of Pause is a method used to prevent phishing attacks made on businesses. Learn about the 5 simple questions to ask before clicking a link that could be detrimental to your dental clinic.

Learn more

5 Tips to reduce your practice's cyber risk

Read our 5 tips to keep your dental clinic safe from cyber attacks.

Learn more

Cybersecurity resources hub

View additional cybersecurity resources we've provided for our dental providers.

Learn more