Private information pertaining to nearly 4,300 patients of Massachusetts General Hospital may have been exposed in a data breach earlier this year. The breached software collects information for dental patients, including names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers, MGH said. Data may also have included the specifics of some patients' dental appointments.According to the hospital, the software is provided by Patterson Dental Supply Inc., "a trusted third-party vendor."Someone gained unauthorized access to the files in the software, and the hospital learned about the breach on Feb. 8, the hospital said. Patients were not notified until now, however, because the hospital said it was under instructions from law enforcement to withhold any public announcement while an investigation was being completed.The hospital began mailing letters to the affected patients on Wednesday.Additionally, the hospital said that the software vendor took steps to enhance security after the breach.Get the WCVB News App

Private information pertaining to nearly 4,300 patients of Massachusetts General Hospital may have been exposed in a data breach earlier this year.



The breached software collects information for dental patients, including names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers, MGH said. Data may also have included the specifics of some patients' dental appointments.




According to the hospital, the software is provided by Patterson Dental Supply Inc., "a trusted third-party vendor."



Someone gained unauthorized access to the files in the software, and the hospital learned about the breach on Feb. 8, the hospital said. Patients were not notified until now, however, because the hospital said it was under instructions from law enforcement to withhold any public announcement while an investigation was being completed.



The hospital began mailing letters to the affected patients on Wednesday.



Additionally, the hospital said that the software vendor took steps to enhance security after the breach.

