Dentist Office Access Control: Why A Security System is Important

 

 

Physical security for a dentist’s office is often overlooked. However, a dentist’s office is a high-risk environment with a high number of visitors. As a result, a dentist office access control system is one of the best security solutions.

In this post, we’ll review what an access control system is and what it costs. Next, we’ll explain why you need access control in a dental office. Finally, we’ll explore the best dentist office access control system to buy.

This post covers:

• What is dentist office access control?
• Does my dental office need a security system?
• What are the benefits of dental office access control?
• The best dentist office access control system

 

What is dentist office access control?

Dentist office access control is the entry system you put in place to ensure that only verified users have access to your building and staff-only spaces. These systems are commonly installed to mitigate some of the security risks that often arise in medical facilities. Access control gives you the ability to set and customize access permissions as needed. Many products can be managed from mobile devices, such as cameras.

Dental office access control products take the form of:

• Video intercoms
• Keypad door locks
• Smart locks
• RFID and key card readers
• Buzzer entry systems
• Biometric scanners
• Elevator controls
• Front desk stations

 

 

How much does dentist office access control cost?

Costs for dental office access control range from $500 to $2,500 per door. Your unique property and the access control system(s) that you decide to purchase will play the biggest role in determining the final cost. Most access control companies will give you an estimate that considers your property’s unique needs before you commit to purchasing a product.

 

Does my dental office need a security system?

A security system such as an access control system for your dental office is likely more necessary than you would initially assume. While dental offices are much quieter than hospitals, there are still risks that you need to mitigate with your medical practice.

Dental office access control is necessary to secure the following:

1. People
2. Equipment
3. Medication
4. Private data
5. Liability

 

1. People

The safety of your patients and staff is your biggest responsibility. Dental work, like all healthcare, can lead to highly stressful situations. People can become emotionally charged, and situations can quickly become dramatic. As a result, you’ll want an access control system in place that monitors everyone who enters the office. Staff will need to verify that only people with appointments are allowed into the office outside of set time periods where walk-ins are acceptable.

When your staff members feel safe in your office, they’ll be able to focus on their work and perform at the level that you expect them to.

 

 

2. Equipment

As your budget will verify, dental offices have a lot of expensive equipment. You know this, we know this, and savvy thieves likely do, too. It’s important to ensure that you have an access control system in place that will protect your property outside of work hours. Furthermore, a good access control system will allow you to secure equipment in rooms that are only accessible to verified staff.

 

3. Medication

Just like your expensive equipment, the medication you use within your office is also highly appealing to thieves. Additionally, certain medications can be dangerous in the hands of anyone who isn’t a trained professional. Locking medication in secure rooms with an access control device such as a keypad is a great way to ensure that only authorized employees have access.

 

4. Private data

Dentist offices have access to a patient’s private medical data. This data is usually stored in physical files or on a computer’s hard drive. While medical cybersecurity is another matter entirely, it still has a physical presence in your office that can be targeted. Patients have a right to confidentiality, and it’s up to you to do your best to protect that right. Under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), it’s important that this data is stored as securely as possible. By controlling access at your property, you can ensure patient data stays private.

 

5. Liability

Protecting people, equipment, medication, and private data can, in turn, protect you from the scariest risk of all: liability. By installing an efficient access control security system, you are doing your due diligence in protecting all of the above. This also falls under HIPAA and can prevent you from lawsuits and possibly even losing your license to practice.

 

Watch how ButterflyMX works:

 

What are the benefits of dental office access control?

Now that you know how a dentist’s office needs access control, we can explore some additional benefits. An access control system comes with a host of useful features that can make entering, exiting, and securing your office more convenient than ever before.

The benefits of dentist office access control include:

• Verified access. With an access control system, you can trust that only authorized users have accessed your secure spaces.
• Remote entry. When expecting delivery or maintenance on days when your office is closed, you can remotely assign temporary access credentials without having to waste time by being physically present.
• Simplified entry. Users can enter your property using a variety of access credentials. The best and most convenient credential is often a user’s mobile device.
• Video security. Many access control devices include a video camera that provides extra security for your property.

 

 

The best dentist office access control system

ButterflyMX is a cloud-based access control company that offers the best access control systems for dentist offices. It is currently installed in over 10,000 buildings and has over 20,000 five-star reviews. ButterflyMX offers several key products that meet the needs of a dental office’s access control system.

The ButterflyMX mobile access control platform includes:

• Vehicle readers. Access control starts outside your property. Staff members’ cars can be outfitted with RFID windshield tags that allow them to enter parking garages and lots hands-free.
• Keypads. Our keypads offer numerous entry options. Users can use PIN codes, fobs, and key cards. Additionally, they can enter by downloading and utilizing the ButterflyMX app on their mobile devices. Temporary PIN codes can also be assigned to guests and visitors. For additional security, a date- and time-stamped recording of each entry event is taken and stored in the cloud, where it can be accessed at any time.
• Card and fob readers. We also offer card and fob readers that specifically use key cards or key fobs as access credentials. They also support mobile credentials.
• Elevator controls. Our elevator controls allow you to set permissions for certain floors in your building. Only users with verified credentials can access certain floors. This is ideal for ensuring that staff-only areas remain staff-only.