If you received a notification from First Choice Dental informing you that your personal information may have been exposed in the October 2023 data breach, you may be entitled to compensation through a $1.23 million class action settlement.
This settlement offers financial reimbursement and credit-monitoring protection to individuals whose data may have been compromised, with payouts reaching up to $6,000 for documented losses or $50 in alternative cash compensation, along with three years of identity-protection services.
The deadline to file a claim is January 28, 2026, so now is the time to make sure you’re protected and to claim what you may be owed.
What Is the First Choice Dental Class Action Settlement About?
In late 2023, First Choice Dental Group (FCDG) announced that it had suffered a data security incident involving private patient information. According to court filings, the breach exposed a broad range of sensitive data, including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver’s license or passport numbers, government ID numbers, financial account information, and certain protected health data.
A class action lawsuit was filed soon after, alleging that First Choice Dental did not adopt adequate cybersecurity measures to prevent unauthorized access. While the company denies wrongdoing and maintains that it acted responsibly, it has agreed to a settlement to avoid the uncertainty and costs associated with continued litigation. The purpose of this settlement is to help victims recover financial losses, protect themselves against identity theft, and monitor their credit moving forward.
Who Qualifies for a Payout?
You may be eligible to file a claim if:
- You are a U.S. resident whose personal information was involved in the data breach discovered by First Choice Dental in October 2023, and
- You received an official breach notification letter or email from First Choice Dental.
What Compensation Can You Receive?
The settlement offers several forms of relief depending on the type of harm you potentially experienced. If you suffered direct financial losses as a result of the breach, you may be eligible for a higher reimbursement tier by providing relevant documentation. If you did not experience monetary damages, you may still receive a smaller cash payout or opt in to credit monitoring.
There are three main compensation options:
1. Documented Losses — Up to $6,000
For individuals who incurred out-of-pocket expenses related to the data breach, the settlement provides up to $6,000 in reimbursement. This tier requires documentation and may cover:
- Unauthorized charges or financial losses from fraudulent activity
- Professional services (attorneys, accountants, credit repair)
- Fees for freezing or unfreezing credit
- Credit monitoring services you purchased after receiving a breach notice
- Miscellaneous expenses such as postage, copying, notary fees, and mileage
This option is likely ideal if you faced measurable financial harm from the breach and have proof of your expenses.
2. Alternative Cash Payment — Up to $50
If you did not experience financial loss or do not wish to gather documentation, you may instead elect to claim a flat cash payout of up to $50. This option requires no proof and is the simplest way to participate in the settlement.
3. Credit Monitoring & Identity Protection
All claimants can choose to receive three years of CyEx Medical Shield credit monitoring, which includes:
- Ongoing credit monitoring
- Dark-web surveillance
- $1 million in identity theft insurance
You can elect credit monitoring whether you choose documented losses or the $50 payment.
If total claims exceed the amount available in the settlement fund, all payments may be reduced proportionally.
How to Submit a Claim
To receive compensation, you’ll need to file a claim through the official First Choice Dental Data Breach Settlement Claim Form. The deadline to submit your claim is January 28, 2026. Don’t miss your opportunity to be compensated for the exposure of your personal information.
If you’re eligible, submitting your claim is straightforward:
- Gather your information: Have your breach notification letter or email handy. If you are seeking reimbursement for documented losses (up to $6,000), collect any supporting documents such as receipts, bank statements, fraud reports, or invoices.
- Submit online or by mail: Visit the settlement website and complete the online claim form. If you’re claiming expenses, upload your documentation directly to the form.
Deadline:
All claims, whether submitted online or by mail, must be filed by January 28, 2026.
What Happens Next?
After the claim deadline passes, the court is scheduled to hold a fairness hearing on January 12, 2026, where a judge will decide whether to grant final approval for the settlement. If no appeals are filed after that hearing, the settlement administrator will begin issuing payments and distributing credit-monitoring activation codes. This process typically takes a few months, so payouts are expected to be delivered sometime after early 2026.
You can choose to receive your payment by paper check or electronic deposit, depending on which option you select on your claim form.
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