Network and Security Overhaul for a Salt Lake County Dental Office

The Challenge

Before working with Utah Technology Solutions, this dental office was running on consumer-grade network equipment that had never been given a proper home — routers, switches, and access points were simply stacked up on the receptionist's desk. Beyond the clutter this created in a high-traffic work area, it left core network equipment sitting in the open where patients could potentially access or tamper with it, and put the equipment at ongoing risk of being accidentally unplugged or knocked off a shelf.

WiFi coverage existed, but with a critical gap: patients and staff shared the exact same network. Anyone waiting in the lobby with a laptop or phone was on the same network as the office's internal systems — no separation, no isolation, just one flat network serving two very different groups of users. For a dental practice, where office systems may connect to scheduling, billing, or patient record systems, that kind of exposure is a real risk, not just an inconvenience.

The office had previously worked with another provider, who had installed a firewall appliance and a router. That relationship left the practice frustrated: firewall configurations were reset during routine system updates, forcing the office to call in for reconfiguration at least once a week just to keep the network functioning as intended.

The office also had no video security in place — no way to monitor activity after hours, verify who was coming and going, or provide an added layer of accountability and safety for staff and patients during the day. Prior to installing exterior cameras, the office had found physical evidence of an attempted forced entry through the main door.

The Solution

Utah Technology Solutions redesigned the office's network from the ground up and layered in a full video security system:

• Relocated and upgraded core network equipment — Moved all network equipment out of the reception area and into the back office, out of patient view and reach. Replaced the consumer-grade switch with a business-grade PoE switch, giving the office the reliability and power delivery needed to support new access points and cameras.
• New wireless access points — Installed two access points, one in the front lobby and one in the back office, for strong, consistent WiFi throughout the entire space.
• Isolated guest network — Configured two separate networks: one for office staff and one for patients. The guest network is fully isolated from office resources, and guest devices are isolated from each other as well, so no patient device can see or interact with another patient's device.
• Indoor camera system — Installed five wired cameras throughout the office with night vision and audio recording, connected to a local recorder capable of retaining a full 30 days of continuous footage.
• Doorbell cameras — Added doorbell cameras at both the front and back entrances, with cloud-based alerts and recording, giving the practice owner visibility into activity at either entrance in real time, whether he's on-site or not.

The Result

• A clean, organized reception area, with network equipment relocated out of patient-facing space entirely
• Secured core network equipment, no longer exposed to accidental disconnection, tampering, or unauthorized access
• Strong, reliable WiFi coverage throughout the office on business-grade access points
• Zero network downtime since the new equipment was installed — a sharp contrast to the weekly reconfiguration calls the office had grown used to with its previous provider
• A fully isolated guest network, so patients can browse or check email while waiting without ever touching office systems or seeing other patients' devices
• 30 days of continuous indoor video coverage, with night vision and audio, across five cameras
• Real-time visibility at both entrances, with cloud alerts letting the practice owner see who's coming and going even when he's away
• No further evidence of attempted forced entry since the doorbell cameras were installed, following a prior incident at the main door
• A tested de-escalation tool, not just a deterrent on paper — in one incident, a patient dissatisfied with his treatment became visibly agitated and confrontational, making threats toward the practice. Without saying a word, the dentist pointed up at one of the interior cameras. The patient immediately backed down and left the office — a serious safety incident defused by the simple, visible presence of the camera system.
• Improved peace of mind for staff and patients, knowing office activity is recorded and the network is properly secured

What started as a request for cameras and WiFi turned into a full network foundation the practice can continue to build on as its technology needs grow.

Utah Technology Solutions provides network infrastructure, WiFi, and security camera installation for dental and medical offices across Salt Lake County, Utah County, and the surrounding Wasatch Front.