Top 17 Dental Practice Management Software of 2024: Reviews, Pricing & Features


*This post was originally published May 4, 2015 and extensively updated April 16, 2024.

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Top 17 Dental Practice Management Software of 2024 Reviews, Pricing & Features - SquareDental practice management is challenging even when you have the right tools. Practice owners must juggle their most important priority, patient care, with the administrative and business tasks of running a successful practice. The right dental practice management software is necessary if you want to minimize mistakes and oversights, attract new patients, and grow your practice.

As a dental web marketing company, Titan Web Agency works with dentists daily, helping them run their practices efficiently and get the marketing results they want. One key component of managing a practice is choosing the best tools in the dental practice management software market.

If you’re in the market for the best dental practice management software, you might not know where to begin. There are dozens of options, including both cloud-based and installed solutions. You’ll need to research them, prioritize the most important features, and figure out whether the solutions you review fit your budget.

This post will review the 17 best dental practice management software options for 2024. We’ll explain how practice management platform software works, what features you need, what benefits you can expect from using software, and which trends inform updates in dental PM software. We’ve also explained the criteria we used to evaluate our choices.

 

 

What is Dental Practice Software?

If your dental practice has been getting by using spreadsheets and a cobbled-together array of tools to manage patient scheduling, treatment, and administrative tasks, you might be wondering why (or if) it’s worthwhile to invest in dental practice management software. Practice management software helps dental and orthodontic practices and labs manage routine activities and provide the best possible patient care. Here are some common tasks that can be done with the right software.

  • Scheduling appointments (or allowing patients to schedule online)
  • Communicating with patients
  • Billing patients and insurance companies
  • Time tracking for employees
  • Processing insurance claims
  • Processing payments (including credit card processing)
  • Sharing data about patients with other authorized providers

Most practice management solutions we recommend have clinical features to help you provide patient care. These may include:

  • Documenting patient charts and compiling notes, including perio charting
  • Integration with dental imaging tools and software
  • Diagnostic tools, including AI-powered advanced diagnostics
  • Treatment plans and treatment tracking

Some dental practice management software versions serve as a patient engagement platform, allowing dentists to engage with patients and get to know them. Many include dental imaging software, while others include marketing tools to help dentists grow their dental practices.

Ideally, the software you choose should include management tools that streamline your tasks as a practice manager, making it easy to deliver quality patient care.

What are the Benefits of Using Dental Practice Management Software?

There are some important benefits to investing in dental practice management software. If you choose wisely, the software you use can make your practice more efficient and profitable. Here are some of the benefits you can expect.

Easier Patient Scheduling

Many cloud-based dental practice management software solutions offer online scheduling, so patients can pick an appointment time and book appointments at their convenience. Many include the option for patients to reschedule an appointment when needed.

Fewer No-Shows and Cancellations

Some dental software sends automated appointment reminders, thus reducing the number of patient cancellations and no-shows.

More Accurate Patient Charting Systems

Digital patient charting is included with most office management software, and it can streamline the treatment process by helping you create accurate charts and treatment plans that can be accessed from anywhere.

Secure Storage for Patient Data

HIPAA-compliant storage is necessary, and if you choose a cloud-based dental management solution, you can access the data you need on a computer, tablet, or phone.

The best dental management software should help you streamline administrative processes and patient care, saving time and money.

Typical Features of Dental Practice Management Software

The best dental practice management software for your practice is one that has the features that are most important to you. Here are some typical features to look for and consider as you evaluate your options.

Appointment Scheduling

Cloud-based software often includes a scheduling feature that integrates with your website, so patients can schedule their appointments or your staff can schedule them from your office. It typically includes automated appointment reminders to cut down on no-shows.

Billing

The financial aspects of running a dental practice can be time-consuming. The right software will automate treatment calculations, create invoices for you to send to patients, and streamline the process of billing insurance companies.

Clinical Documentation

Creating accurate patient charts is essential for providing quality care and treatments. Your dental software should allow you to create digital charts and integrate them with dental imaging equipment and software.

Treatment Plans

For true clinical management, you should choose software that allows you to create treatment plans and monitor patients’ compliance and progress.

Patient Records

In addition to creating dental charts and treatment plans, your chosen software should allow you to create and update dental health records easily. You can create and update records from anywhere if you choose cloud-based software.

Security and Compliance

You likely know the importance of HIPAA compliance. This includes protecting patient privacy and storing patient records per HIPAA guidelines. Look for HIPAA-compliant software with encryption and other data security measures to avoid fees and penalties. All the solutions we’ve included on our list are HIPAA-compliant.

Staff Scheduling

Scheduling the right employees at the right times can significantly improve your ability to provide top-notch care to your patients. Scheduling tools may include color coding and other options to help you clarify who is working with each patient and what procedures are on the schedule.

Other features you may want to consider include referral management, online reputation management, and even ad creation and tracking. We strongly recommend using free demos to look at each software’s features and interface. Take notes, ask questions, and don’t commit until you’ve found the right solution for your practice.

A Note About Dental Practice Management Software Features

Not every feature we have listed will be important or necessary for your practice. While we give a thorough range of the most powerful features for each product, you should do the research necessary to ensure the software you choose meets your needs.

Most dental practice management software combines clinical and administrative features such as billing, scheduling, electronic charting, and electronic dental health records. Others may offer built-in digital imaging or integration with dental imaging programs.

 

Every option on our list includes a free demo. We strongly recommend using the demos to look at the user interface and the available features. The demo is your opportunity to ask questions and evaluate your choices.

The Best Dental Practice Management Software in 2024

Without further ado, here are the 17 best dental practice management software options for 2024. We’re starting with the best overall pick; then we’ll dig into the highest-rated options before choosing our favorites in selected categories. Based on reviews and features, we’ve eliminated some options from our previous post to ensure we’re giving you the best options.

Best Overall Dental Practice Management Software

1. Open Dental

 4.6/5 (77) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: Open Dental is the only open-source, server-based dental management software on our list. They’ve been around for a long time and are among the most popular practice management solutions. We selected them as our top pick because users rave about the platform’s flexibility, customizable features, and stellar support. You can use the software offline, but being online provides access to web-based features. Because the software is open source, it’s easy to add or remove features to make it work perfectly for whatever you need, and it can be scaled up or down. Dentists on Reddit unanimously praise Open Dental for its flexibility and affordability, and users on DentalTown love the top-notch support.

open dental quality software for dental offices

Service model: Server-based

Hardware/OS requirements: Windows 10 or higher. Open Dental recommends using a dedicated server; web-based services support Chrome, Internet Explorer, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. Mobile apps are supported on both iOS and Android. 4 - 8 GB of RAM is recommended.

Price: $179 per month/location for license and servicing. The initial contract is for 12 months, after which the fee drops to $129 per month/location. The cost for the eServices bundle is $165 per month. Details and add-on fees for additional providers and services can be found here.

Free demo: No, but there is a free trial that you can use for up to 30 patients.

Support: Phone and chat are included in the monthly price.

Response Time: We sent an email to request more details about training. We received a response in less than 24 hours.

Training: Open Dental offers free video training on their YouTube channel. Customized training is available for $50 per hour.

Key features:

  • Appointment management
  • Appointment reminders
  • Hands-free charting
  • Orthodontic charting
  • Patient records management
  • Imaging and X-rays
  • Medical billing
  • Claims management
  • Treatment planning
  • Hands-free charting
  • Patient Portal
  • eServices, including integrated texting, electronic prescriptions, and more
  • OD Mobile
  • OD Touch

The Takeaway

Open Dental offers a wide array of customizable features for dental practice management, including front office, clinical, and patient management tools. Their experienced team can help you convert from your existing software and customize it. You can check out their free trial here.

Top Rated Dental Practice Management Software

2. Datacon

4.8/5 (4) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: Datacon is rated highly by users for several reasons. It’s a hybrid software solution combining online data storage, mobile connectivity, and an on-premises server. A complete suite of features incorporates patient relations, office management, and clinical charting and imaging. It works with both Macs and PCs, and will work even if you have both types of computer in your practice, although you will need a Mac server to run it. It seamlessly integrates with most dental software programs and paperless office features if you’re trying to reduce your environmental impact. Users on DentalTown like that Datacon doesn’t use much server data and runs efficiently.

datacon dental systems with all front and back office features included

Service model: Hybrid

Hardware/OS Requirements: Datacon requires an Intel-based Apple Macintosh computer with OS-X version 10.9 or later. The Datacon website says that Windows PCs need Windows 7 or higher, but since Windows no longer supports 7, we recommend Windows 10 or higher.

Price: Pricing is based on the number of workstations using Datacon. Our most updated information is that pricing for the first three workstations is $500 apiece; workstations 4-6 are $425 apiece; and workstations 7-9 are $350 apiece. If you have 10 or more workstations, the price is $275 each. The monthly software subscription is $175 per month. There are premium options available as add-ons. These include HIPAA-compliant server email, automated patient communications, and ePrescriptions. We asked for pricing confirmation and will update this post as needed.

Free demo: No

Support: Telephone support during business hours, plus email support. Find their full support policy here.

Response Time: We filled out a web form to request details about the training options available to clients. We followed up with a phone call, and a support agent was on the line in less than a minute, giving us the information we needed.

Training: Datacon’s representative told us they offer online training via video, Zoom meetings, and online study groups. They included 45 minutes of high-speed internet or telephone training each quarter.

Key features:

  • Multiple location functionality
  • Secure patient portal
  • Secure data storage and backup
  • Paperless charting and other paperless office features
  • Patient folders
  • X-ray integration
  • Seamless integration with all major dental software products (see list of supported integrations here)
  • Billing features
  • Patient scheduling
  • PayConnect integration
  • Customizable reporting
  • Audit controls

The Takeaway

Datacon is a highly-rated, all-in-one dental practice management software that combines the advantages of cloud-based and on-premises software. It integrates easily with other dental software and is a good choice for a mixed-computer practice. We like the pricing structure, which is ideal for scaling.

3. Dentisoft

4.7/5 (3) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: Dentisoft is a cloud-based dental practice management solution that will work on any device. It has an intuitive, web-based interface and subscription pricing, which may be less costly than installed software. There’s a free starter plan that may be useful for start-up practices or smaller practices that want to try out the features before committing. Users on DentalTown have said they find Dentisoft useful, but the reports it generates could use some refinement.

dentisoft dental office management software

Service model: Cloud-based

Hardware/OS requirements: Accessible via any browser/device.

Price: In addition to the free Cloud Starter package, Dentisoft offers a Cloud Pro package. The $50/month option is available for new practices with up to 250 patients. If you have more than 250 patients, you’ll need to contact Dentisoft for pricing.

Free demo: Yes

Support: The Cloud Pro package includes unlimited support via email, telephone, or live chat. They also have a comprehensive online support portal. When we emailed them a question, they responded promptly (in less than an hour).

Response Time: We contacted Dentisoft by starting a chat and sending an email. Their chat did not appear to be live, but we received a response to our email inquiry in less than 10 minutes.

Training: Dentisoft offers four hours of training to all new clients. They also have an extensive knowledge base. The price of training is included in the cost of the software.

Key features:

Find a full list of features offered in each package here.

  • Patient marketing tools
  • Appointment book
  • Online patient forms
  • Facebook and Dentist Directory integration
  • Mobile suite access
  • Secure messaging & reminders
  • Clinical e-Records
  • Treatment planning and handouts
  • Unlimited image/PDF storage
  • Radiography integration into most sensors
  • Integration with TigerView Cloud
  • Mailing list generation
  • e-Birthday messages/recalls/appointment reminders
  • Postcards for recalls and appointments
  • Patient record management
  • Insurance/payer management
  • Paper or e-Billing statements
  • Claim forms
  • Recall management
  • Over 250 reports
  • Data export to Excel/Word/PDF

Dentisoft offers a selection of optional services that you can add, including real-time eligibility verification, integrated collections, paper statement mailing, patient education videos, and advanced periodontal charting. Contact them for pricing.

The Takeaway

Dentisoft is a cost-effective choice for new practices and may be ideal for larger practices since there are no user limitations. They include practice management, clinical and patient support, and some marketing features, making it a truly all-in-one solution.

4. Denticon (by Planet DDS)

4.7/5 (103) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: Denticon was the first dental practice management software in the cloud. While it was initially created for use in dental group practices, the interface is intuitive and flexible, making it suitable for solo and small practices. There’s little in the way of up-front costs, and its scalability makes it ideal for practices that want software that can grow with them. Users on DentalTown, a forum where dentists can share information about software, mention that Denticon has become expensive to use. Others report issues with features. Denticon has been responsive to messages on the site.

denticon by planet DDs - first dental practice management software in the cloud

Service model: Cloud-based

Hardware/OS requirements: Denticon works with Edge and Chrome browsers. They support Windows 10 or higher and recommend Intel i3 or higher. You’ll need 4 GB of RAM, 80+ GB hard drive, 3 Mbps upload and 1 Mbps download speed for ideal operation.

Price: Denticon doesn’t list prices on its website and prefers practices to call for a quote. However, payment is on a monthly subscription basis, and clients can select add-on modules to customize their software. For pricing, contact sales@planetdds.com.

Free demo: Yes

Support: Denticon subscribers get unlimited support with their subscription. Support is available by email, web form, and phone. There’s also a troubleshooting tool on their website.

Response Time: We submitted a question via Denticon’s web form. We did not receive an immediate response. We followed up with a phone call and spoke with a customer support agent in less than a minute.

Training: Denticon no longer offers in-person training, but they have a huge online library of training resources. These include webinars, videos, and written materials, all easily accessible.

Key features:

  • Advanced patient communications
  • Online patient-facing features, including appointment scheduling, health forms, and patient portal (allows for online bill payment)
  • Advanced analytics, including customizable dashboards and reports
  • Charting, including specialty charting
  • Credit/debit card processing
  • Insurance management and electronic claims
  • Cloud imaging
  • Customizable clinical notes, progress notes, and editable macros
  • Continuous data backup and disaster recovery in the cloud
  • Time clock
  • Document scanning
  • Patient health records (EHR-certified)
  • Billing management, including ortho payment plans
  • Multi-location support
  • Electronic prescriptions
  • Nightly data download available

The Takeaway

Denticon offers a comprehensive suite of dental practice management tools and features, making it our top choice. We love that practices can customize the software with a menu of add-ons. With a combination of patient management and clinical tools, we recommend Denticon for practices of all sizes.

5. CareStack

4.7/5 (60) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: CareStack provides all-in-one practice management features that can help practices of all sizes streamline repetitive office tasks, optimize patient care, and provide a welcoming patient experience. We would recommend this software to single- and multi-location practices and DSOs. We appreciate their stellar customer service, which reviewers often mention. Some reviewers on Reddit have mentioned that the CareStack interface could be improved. Users on DentalTown say that they have saved money using CareStack because it has allowed them to eliminate other software.

CareStack all-in-one dental software

Service Model: Cloud

Hardware/Operating System Requirements: CareStack works with both Mac and Windows. It’s a cloud-based service, so Titan Web Agency recommends using the most up-to-date browser version for optimal performance and security.

Price: Customized subscription-based pricing based on the number of locations, operatories, and providers. You can get a quote here.

Free Demo: Yes

Support: CareStack offers excellent customer service, providing 24/7 support via a live rep, chat, email, and phone through its highly regarded help desk. Phone support is available Monday through Thursday from 7 AM to 8 PM Eastern time, and email or chat support is available on weekends from 7AM to 4PM.

Response Time: We messaged CareStack with questions about pricing and training via live chat, and they responded within a few minutes. They also offer email and phone support.

Training: CareStack takes training seriously. In addition to in-person and live online training and onboarding, they have extensive online documentation and videos for clients. There’s also a community of users who share information, and you can work with developers to create custom solutions for your practice.

Key features:

  • Patient Portal
  • Patient kiosk
  • Online forms
  • Appointment scheduling & reminders
  • Curbside check-in
  • Patient relationship management
  • Dental text messaging
  • Charting
  • Imaging and X-rays
  • Periodontal charting
  • Treatment planning
  • Teledentistry
  • Patient billing
  • Dental pay-by-text
  • Insurance verification
  • Insurance claim management
  • Progress notes
  • Patient communication 
  • Revenue Cycle management
  • Digital imaging
  • Clinical notes
  • ePrescribe
  • Integrated Card-on-file capabilities
  • Built-in payment plan and membership plans
  • Analytics & Reporting
  • Always-on backups
  • Online reputation management

The Takeaway

CareStack is highly rated for a reason. Their customer service is state-of-the-art, and they offer a robust selection of features equally well-suited to start-ups, growing practices, and DSOs. We think that CareStack is an especially good choice for practices that want to prioritize patient relations and create a positive user experience.

6. DentiMax

4.5/5 (104) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: DentiMax has an easy-to-use design that we appreciate because your front office staff, clinicians, and patients can get up to speed quickly. There are plenty of useful features to help you streamline patient visits and eliminate repetitive tasks for your staff. DentalTown users praise DentiMax’s easy interface. DentiMax responds to questions on the forum regularly.

dentiMax-the-award-winning-dental-X-Ray-sensor

Service model: Hybrid

Hardware/OS Requirements: The minimum requirements for workstations are: x86 Processor with 1.4+ GHz, 2+ GB of RAM, monitor with 1920x1080 resolution, 20 Mbps download and 5+ Mbps upload speed, and a hardwired internet connection. A solid-state drive and 4 GB of RAM are recommended for optimal performance. Dentimax works with both Windows 10 and higher and Mac OSX 10.7+.

Price: DentiMax offers both in-office and cloud-based solutions. The in-office plans start at $169 per month for the first year, which drops to $129 per month thereafter. The Ultimate Bundle costs $328 per month and includes additional features, including ongoing monthly training and support.

Free Demo: Yes

Support: Tech support packages for practice management software start at $699/year. Their website has a detailed FAQ and a library of videos and blog posts to provide additional information and support.

Response Time: We used DentiMax’s web form to submit a request for information about pricing for the 5-Step Training Program. We wish they included a space to include information about the request. We received a generic response in a few hours but had to go back to them with additional questions.

Training: DentiMax users can purchase their 5-Step Training Program. Pricing is not available on the website. You can purchase additional training time for $99/hour.

Key features:

  • Digital patient registration
  • Online scheduling
  • Real-time insurance verification
  • Automated reminders
  • Patient charting
  • Clinical notes
  • Patient management
  • Treatment options
  • Insurance claims billing and management
  • Patient billing
  • Line item accounting
  • Integrated credit card payments
  • Payment plans
  • Xray and image integration
  • Medicaid reports
  • Perio and SRP charting
  • Referral source management and tracking
  • ICD9/10 diagnosis code management

Add-on features include DentiMax texting, cloud imaging, and a web kiosk for new patient registration.

The Takeaway

Dentimax offers comprehensive practice management software with extensive imaging and charting options and fully integrated payment management, including payment plans and credit card processing. We’re not in love with their high support prices, but we do like that they offer the option to purchase ongoing training. Click here to request additional information.

7. Curve Hero™

4.6/5 (146) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: Curve Dental has been rebranded as Curve Hero™. It’s a fully web-based dental practice management software system with all the essential features you would want in a practice management software package, from scheduling and reporting to charting and imaging. Reviewers of the software service praise the responsive customer service and intuitive interface, as well as the ability to use the service on any operating system or browser. Reddit users have singled out Curve’s seamless integrations and openness to suggestions from users as good reasons for paying a little extra.

curve dental fully web-based dental practice management software

Service model: Cloud-based

Hardware/operating system requirements: Any web browser (OS agnostic) with WebGL compatibility (including the most stable versions of popular browsers) works best with the most recent version of Google Chrome. The minimum speed for connectivity is 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload. It is not recommended for use with dial-up or satellite services.

Price: Subscription-based pricing is customized for each practice. There are two tiers (Curve Hero™ and Curve SuperHero™), and special pricing is available for start-up practices. You can review their pricing page here and call them for a custom quote.

Free demo: Yes

Support: Free 24/7 technical support. Customer service is friendly and responsive and provided via email, phone, and integrated messaging. Emergency support is available.

Response Time: We got an immediate response in live chat. We also completed their web form and got responses in less than 24 hours. The responses were heavily sales-focused. We had to write back to say what we needed because there wasn’t space in the web form to include details.

Training: Curve Hero clients get 6 virtual training sessions with one of Curve Hero’s instructors. Four additional sessions are available for those who want them. Curve Hero’s website doesn’t clarify whether these charges are additional. We reached out to ask and will update this post as needed. Their website has a knowledge base, but it’s not as robust as possible. There are a few webinars, FAQs, and some blog posts, but most videos are testimonials and case studies.

Key features:

  • Clear patient charting
  • Treatment planning
  • Scheduling
  • Billing
  • Smart Forms
  • Patient Portal
  • Reporting
  • Files and letters
  • Payment processing
  • Dental imaging
  • Perio charting
  • GRO™ Patient Engagement
  • Business intelligence
  • ePrescribe
  • Continuous backup
  • Intrusion detection
  • Curve imaging
  • Curve patient advisor

The Takeaway

Curve SuperHero™ offers a ton of features. Curve Hero™ is their basic plan, but it includes everything except Curve Imaging and Curve Patient Advisor. If you want those, you’ll need Curve SuperHero™. We like that they include training sessions, but wish the Knowledge Base had less marketing material and more resources to help clients use Curve Hero’s features.

8. Dentrix (by Henry Schein)

4.3/5 (360) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: Dentrix is a trusted name in dental practice management technology and one of the most popular options for dental practices. The company was founded in 1985, and while Henry Schein acquired it in 1997, many of the founders are still with the company. Historically, Dentrix has been one of the more expensive solutions, but they no longer list prices on their website. It’s an on-premises solution that Dentrix will build specifically for your dental practice. Reddit users point out that Dentrix has some of the most robust reporting options, but some prefer the simplicity of Dentrix Ascend.

dentrix dental practice management technology

Service model: Proprietary (installed on-premises) with an integrated mobile option.

Hardware/OS requirements: Windows-only. Dentrix runs exclusively on Windows 10. See system requirements. (You'll need a dedicated server to run Dentrix.)

Price: Customized per practice (see How to Purchase)

Free demo: Yes

Support: Phone, email, and online chat support. However, if you don’t pay for their Customer Service Plan, you’ll be charged each time you require support. We found one review on DentalTown that said they were told it would cost $1,000 to get a single support call without the support plan.

Response Time: If you’re not a current customer, the only way to contact Dentrix is to email them. We used the email address provided, but it bounced back to us as undeliverable. There are other support options if you’re a Dentrix client.

Training: Dentrix offers in-person training. You’ll need to contact them to purchase training sessions for your staff. They also have an online resource center featuring training videos, articles, and a selection of Mastery Track courses that are free to clients.

Key features:

  • Appointment management
  • Calendar management, including month end & task scheduler
  • Claims validation
  • A patient communications manager that sends texts, emails, and postcards
  • Patient check-ins
  • Billing and collections with integrated EMV-compliant payment processing
  • Dentrix Pay payment agreements & payment plan management
  • Patient payment reports
  • 3D clinical charting with Dentrix Smart Image
  • Automated treatment planning
  • Health history module
  • Synchronize images with patient charts
  • Expedited perio charting
  • Business goal tracking and charting
  • Patient engagement tools (for an additional charge), such as website management and patient kiosks
  • Financial planning tools for your practice

The Takeaway

Dentrix is one of the most popular dental practice management software options. If you prefer traditional, on-site software and don’t need the flexibility of a cloud-based option, then Dentrix is a solid choice. The company has been around for over 30 years. If you choose Dentrix, take advantage of the free demo and be prepared for a steep learning curve. You’ll probably need to pay for training to ensure your staff takes full advantage of Dentrix’s features. (For a less expensive, cloud-based option, check out Dentrix Ascend.)

9. ABELDent

4.7/5 (100) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: ABELDent is a highly-rated, cloud-based dental practice management software. We’re focusing on the cloud version, but they also offer locally installed software if you prefer. They also offer a Freemium option. Reviewers praise ABELDent’s intuitive workflow and excellent customer support. Users on DentalTown like its easy integrations but some have issues with creating templates.

ABELDent cloud-based dental practice management software

Service model: Cloud

Hardware/OS requirements: ABELDent works with any browser. As always, we recommend keeping your browser updated and using the latest version for security.

Price: Pricing is customized per practice. Contact ABELDent here for a quote.

Free demo: Yes

Support: ABELDent is one of the few dental practice management software solutions on our list that offers 24/7 support. However, you’ll need to purchase a package of support hours to take advantage of it. There’s no pricing for support on their website, so we recommend asking about it during your free demo.

Response Time: We submitted an email request for pricing information. Their page's automated message said we could expect a response within 48 hours. Ultimately, they took over a week to get back to us. That could be because we were not planning to buy the software and made that clear on the form.

Training: It doesn’t appear that ABELDent offers in-person training. However, they have an impressive library of training videos on their website. You can check them out here.

Key features:

  • Patient Manager
  • Patient Dashboard
  • Insurance
  • Treatment Manager
  • Treatment
  • Financial Transactions
  • Receivables Manager
  • Clinical Chart
  • Scheduler
  • Reporting and Analytics
  • Document & Letter Manager
  • System Security
  • Personal and Clinical Sidebar
  • Patient Dashboard 
  • New Patient Self Booking
  • Custom Secure Health History Forms

The Takeaway

ABELDent may not be as well known as our other top-rated software, but users love it. They have a solid range of features, but we should note that some advanced client communication features aren’t included unless you pay extra. Reviewers specifically praised ABELDent’s top-notch customer service and pointed out that they prioritize client requests to improve the software and its features.

Best Practice Management Solutions by Category

Here are our choices for the best dental practice management solutions by category.

10. Tab32: Best for Specialty Practices

4.3/5 (42) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: tab32 is cloud-based dental practice management software that’s data-driven and may be used by both small and large, multi-location dental practices. Dental practice owners can streamline admin tasks for their staff to improve efficiency and achieve their growth goals. It’s the only software on our list that can be modified for dental specialties such as pediatric or ortho. They also have the best mobile options. Reddit reviewers like tab32 for its modern interface.

tab32-cloud-based dental practice management software

Service model: Cloud

Hardware/operating system requirements: OS-Agnostic. Access your dashboard from any desktop, tablet, or mobile device at any time.

Price: Pricing is on a per-case basis. You can contact the company to get a quote by filling out their contact form.

Free demo:  Yes (You’ll need to complete the contact form to get your demo.)

Support: tab32 provides an extensive knowledge base with videos and a learning management system. Clients can also access support via social media chat, telephone, or email.

Response Time: We emailed tab32. There wasn’t an option to include a note. We received a response with general information in less than two minutes. We wrote back to ask about training and got a quick response. However, the response was simply to refer us back to the website. The pricing page is fairly opaque, and there’s a lot of additional clicking required to find the answers you need.

Training: tab32 offers plenty of webinars, videos, and documents on their website that you can access 24 hours a day. There’s also an option to purchase a post-conversion set-up that may help your staff get answers to some of the most common training questions.

Key features:

  • Quick charting
  • Advance scheduling
  • Online appointment booking
  • Online patient forms
  • 2-way patient texting
  • Billing & Attachments
  • Detailed analytics
  • In-house payment plan management
  • Membership program management
  • Single and multi-location database
  • Teledentistry
  • Online reputation management
  • Multi-specialty (GP, pediatric, ortho) 
  • Revenue discovery
  • Reputation management
  • Cloud X-ray Software & Storage
  • SOC2 and Type || Compliant

The Takeaway

If you specialize in ortho, pediatric dentistry, or just want software that you can customize, then tab32 is the best choice. Its features include tools to modernize patient communications, streamline patient care, and improve diagnostics. There is a bit of a learning curve, but you can take advantage of their huge online knowledge base to get up to speed quickly.

11. Total Dental: Best for DSOs

4.0/5 (2) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: Total Dental is an all-in-one electronic health records (EHR) and dental practice management solution. It’s not as well known as some of the other software solutions on our list, but we chose them because they’re ideally suited for DSOs and large practices. Some features we like include an option to standardize practices globally to bring new offices up to speed and administrative oversight tools to help DSOs track overall performance. Reviewers praise the customer support but complain about technical glitches with some features.

total dental electronic health records and dental practice management solution

Service model: Cloud-based; Mobile

Hardware/OS requirements: OS agnostic; access from any secure internet connection.

Price: Pricing is based on the needs of your DSO or practice. They used to have basic pricing information on their website but have removed it, with their clear preference being for practice owners to contact them to discuss specific needs and get a quote.

Free demo: Yes

Support: The only information available about support is the “Contact Us” tab on Total Dental’s website. It contains a contact form but no phone number.  

Response Time: We submitted a question about training using Total Dental’s web form. There was no mechanism to follow up and no phone number. After several weeks, we had not received a response. However, we expect that clients are provided with a more direct means of getting support.

Training: Total Dental does not have information on their website about training. We reached out to them to ask for details and will update this post when we receive a reply.

Key features:

  • Electronic dental health records
  • Digital patient tracker board
  • Integration with dental patient intake forms
  • State-of-the-art dental and perio charting
  • Built-in CDX codes
  • ONC-ACB compliant
  • Billing
  • Meaningful Use monitoring
  • Real-time backups
  • ePrescribing (at no additional cost)
  • Accounting integration
  • Accounts receivable
  • Appointment management
  • Calendar management
  • Claims management
  • Clinical charting, including 3D tooth charting and supernumerary teeth
  • Digital chart audit
  • DEXIS digital imaging integration
  • Patient payment history
  • Reminders
  • Treatment planning
  • Electronic consent forms
  • Track patient vital signs during treatment
  • Global standardization of methodologies across multiple locations

The Takeaway

If you’re looking for an enterprise-level practice management tool combined with robust clinical features, then Total Dental could be the right practice management software for you. It’s clear they’ve put a lot of thought into their features, and we’re particularly impressed with some of their clinical options, including a feature that allows dentists to review multiple treatment plans. Our top concern is the lack of transparency around support and training, so we recommend that you ask about these things when you contact the company for a free demo.

12. iDentalSoft: Best for Paperless Office Management

4.6/5 (59) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: iDentalSoft is a web-based dental practice management solution that has an impressive list of features, including Zoom teledentistry and online reputation management. Users have praised iDentalSoft for its ease of migration, but we chose it because we think it’s the best option for dentists who want an eco-friendly, paperless office. Reviewers on DentalTown praise the company’s customer service but wish the charting features were more robust.

iDentalSoft-web-based-dental-practice-management-solution

Service Model: Cloud

Hardware/Operating System Requirements: Access from any browser.

Price: There is no pricing information on the iDentalSoft website. What they say is that there are no start-up fees, and there’s no additional charge for support. Since pricing is based on specific practice needs, we suggest contacting iDentalSoft for a quote.

Free Demo: Yes

Support: Email, Ticket, and Phone support are available during regular business hours, which are from 9 AM to 8 PM EST. However, the iDentalSoft website says that their support team regularly checks emails and tickets outside of business hours.

Response Time: We submitted an online ticket to test iDentalSoft’s response time. We didn’t receive a response to our ticket, but we were able to follow up by phone and connect with someone on the sales team.

Training: Unlimited training is available to all subscribers at no additional charge. You may request one-on-one training at any time.

Key features:

  • Smart scheduling
  • Intuitive charting
  • Online patient intake portal
  • Patient self-check-in
  • Online bill pay
  • Payment plan management
  • Native dental imaging
  • Treatment planning
  • eClaims and Eligibility
  • Patient communication, including WhatsApp integration
  • ePrescriptions
  • Lab case tracking
  • Implant tracking
  • Zoom teledentistry
  • Automated recall/recare
  • Automatic data backups
  • Online reputation management
  • Integrated EDI
  • Employee management
  • Role-based security
  • Dragon voice support (dictation and perio)
  • Patient outreach integration

The Takeaway

iDentalSoft is comprehensive, cloud-based dental practice management software with a ton of patient management and clinical features. Scanning documents, attaching them to patient files, and creating new digital documents to eliminate paper waste is easy. We love that they offer free training and support and that the interface is user-friendly. We also appreciate the ease of migration. Practices can simply send their data to iDentalSoft, and they will handle the rest.

13. Cloud 9: Best for Orthodontists

4.7/5 (41) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: Cloud 9 is cloud-based dental practice management software designed especially for orthodontists. While some of the other options on our list may be adapted for use by specialists, this is the only one that’s specifically for orthodontic offices. Reviewers praise Cloud 9’s user-friendly features and responsive customer support.

Cloud9 cloud-based dental practice management software for orthodontists

Service Model: Cloud

Hardware/Operating System Requirements: OS-agnostic, may be used with any browser.

Price: As with many of the dental practice management solutions on our list, the Cloud 9 website does not provide pricing information. They request that interested parties contact them to discuss their needs and get a quote. However, they do mention on their website that they offer special pricing for new practices, so if that applies to you, make sure to ask about it.

Free Demo: Yes

Support: Cloud 9 offers free telephone and email support from 8 AM to 8 PM EST, Monday through Friday, and you can access their online help center for answers to many questions. Their website states that they monitor support requests for emergencies and will respond as soon as possible. Reviewers are happy with their responsiveness and support.

Response Time: We filled out Cloud 9’s web form to request information about what training is available. We didn’t receive a response, but they are another Planet DDS product, and we were able to get an agent on the phone in less than a minute.

Training: The Cloud 9 website has a statement about training, which says their trainers will be with you “every step of the way.” The only resources on their website are some basic FAQs. There are no blog posts, videos, or webinars, so we assume that clients must rely on trainers for education.

Key features:

  • Customizable scheduling
  • Patient Portal
  • Email and text reminders
  • Interface to most digital imaging machines
  • Image editing
  • Insurance management
  • eFiling of insurance claims
  • Credit card and ACH payment processing
  • Payment plan management
  • Check-in kiosk
  • Electronic statements
  • Interoffice chat
  • Word processing
  • Fee schedule
  • Referral management

The Takeaway

Cloud 9 has a nice array of features, and we like that it’s a solution specifically designed for orthodontists. We appreciate that there’s training available, but wish the website had a knowledge base and resources for clients, as well as more information about how much training is provided and for how long.

14. Oryx Dental Software: Best for Automation

Oryxx Dental Software is not currently rated on any 3rd party review site.

Overview: Oryx Dental Software hasn’t been around for as long as some of the other software on our list, but it was created for dentists by dentists. As a result, it has some of the most practical and useful features we’ve seen, including options to help dental practices streamline and automate repetitive tasks, something that’s important to prevent burnout and improve staff retention. Its clinical and diagnostic features are intuitive, and there’s an easy-to-use patient portal, too. DentalTown users praise Oryx’s clinical features but have complaints about billing.

Oryx dental software cloud-based automation dental software

Service Model: Cloud

Hardware/Operating System Requirements: Works with all browsers, including Google Chrome, Windows Edge, and more. The latest version is recommended.

Price: Oryx offers four pricing tiers: Lite, Clinical, Pro, and DSO, the last of which is suitable for multi-office practices. Pricing must be requested from Oryx and will be provided based on your practice’s needs.

Free Demo: Yes

Support: Web and telephone support is available. Oryx has designed its support hours to be convenient for dental practices from coast to coast, with their support team available from 8 AM Eastern time through 5 PM Pacific time.

Response Time: We completed Oryx’s web form to request additional training information. We got an automated response saying that we’d get a detailed response within one hour. We received a response in 2.5 hours.

Training: Oryx's website does not have information about training. We reached out to them to request information. They told us that they include free training for new clients, including access to an onboarding specialist, Oryx Academy, online webinars, 1:1 training sessions, a post-go-live session, and unlimited support. In-office training and billing training are available at an additional cost that may be quoted after your free demo.

Key features:

  • Patient Portal
  • Online scheduling
  • Billing & Collection
  • E-prescription
  • Patient communication, including 2-way texting 
  • Guided Clinical Charting/Advanced Exam Documentation
  • Automated clinical checklists
  • Oryx Bot (AI-powered tool to use in charting, diagnostics & more)
  • Native Imaging
  • ePrescriptions
  • Personalized Risk Assessment
  • Teledentistry
  • AR Management
  • Insurance eligibility & coding
  • Insurance claims management
  • Data Analytics and Dashboard
  • Task Management
  • Referral Portal

The Takeaway

We like Oryx for its incorporation of AI and automation to help dentists run their practices as efficiently as possible. There are tons of front office and clinical features that include AI-powered charting and diagnostics, plus a patient portal and two-way patient communication. They even have a portal to help dentists manage their referral programs. We don’t love that their website has no knowledge base or information about training.

15. Adit: Best for Patient Engagement

4.6/5 (74) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: Adit isn’t truly comprehensive dental practice management software. Nevertheless, we chose it for our list because of its focus on patient engagement and the ease of integrating it with other dental practice management software that may not have the same features. For example, Adit integrates with Open Dental, Carestream, and CareDent. It’s the only software on our list that dentists can use to create social media and Google Ads, design a website, or improve their search engine rankings. The primary complaint reviewers have about Adit is that it may slow Open Dental if you use the two in conjunction.

Adit dental practice management software

Service Model: Cloud/SaaS

Hardware/Operating System Requirements: Works with all browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Safari, and others. The latest version is optimal.

Price: Adit provides pricing on a case-by-case basis that is determined by your practice needs.

Free Demo: Yes

Support: Support is available from 7 AM Central to 7 PM Central via phone, email, or by filling out an online support ticket.

Response Time: We filled out Adit’s online support form to request additional details about available training. We got an automated response within a few minutes, saying we would hear from them soon. They followed up in less than 24 hours.

Training: Unlimited training and tech support. New clients get training sessions with a dedicated implementation expert. There is a large library of online resources, including videos, blog posts, podcasts, and e-books.

Key features:

  • Patient texting
  • Patient emailing
  • Call tracking
  • Teledentistry
  • Internal chat
  • Patient scheduling & appointment reminders
  • Patient intake forms
  • Patient recall
  • Adit pay/payment processing
  • Adit Voice and VoIP phones
  • Mobile app
  • Treatment plans
  • Practice analytics
  • Practice health score
  • Digital Marketing
  • Online review management
  • Web design
  • SEO
  • Google/Facebook ads
  • Healthscore report
  • Mobile app for Apple and Android

The Takeaway

We like Adit because of its focus on patient communication, care, and retention. The lack of clinical features make it less than a full practice management solution, but it’s a good option for practices that are happy with their existing software but want additional features to help them boost their online presence, manage reviews, and improve the patient experience.

16. MOGO: Best for Small Dental Practices

4.4/5 (61) (Ratings as of 4/16/2024)

Overview: MOGO is a cloud-based dental practice management solution. It features an all-inclusive basic package with pricing starting at $250 per month. That puts it in the affordable range for small, single-office practices, so we chose it for our list. There is Enterprise pricing for larger practices, too. Reviewers sing the praises of MOGO Cloud's user-friendly interface and seamless migration, although some wish that the phone support offered more extended hours. Users on DentalTown specifically mentioned MOGO’s willingness to work with practice owners to add or adapt features.

MOGO cloud-based dental practice management solution

Service Model: Cloud

Hardware/Operating System Requirements: OS-agnostic but will work best with Windows 10 or higher. It recommends an Intel i3 processor or higher and a minimum of 6 GB of RAM and a 250 GB or larger hard disk drive with at least 10% free disk space on the local C: drive. They also recommend Wide SXGA (1440 X 900) or higher resolution for optimal use.

Price:  MOGO does not provide pricing information on its website at this time, although they do say that pricing starts at $250 per month. You can request a demo, and once you’re connected with a representative, provide them with the information necessary to obtain a quote.

Free Demo: Yes

Support: Telephone support is available during business hours only, from 8 AM to 5:30 PM Central Time. They do have an online ticketing system, but some reviewers say that responses are slow to arrive outside of business hours.

Response Time: We used MOGO’s online ticketing system to ask questions about training. We didn’t receive a response. However, when we reached out by phone, we were quickly connected with a sales agent.

Training: MOGO offers online training. They also offer the option for practices to order custom-designed training at an hourly rate. Their website features an extensive on-demand video library as well as tech support that receives extremely high marks for responsiveness.

Key features:

  • Online patient forms
  • Online patient scheduling
  • eReminders
  • Patient eSignature
  • LabLink case status
  • Digital camera & digital X-ray
  • Restorative charting
  • Periodontal charting
  • Digital imaging suite
  • ePrescription
  • Image annotation
  • Business analysis
  • Flexible billing
  • Insurance eligibility
  • Accounts receivable management
  • eClaims submission
  • Daily cloud backup

The Takeaway

MOGO offers a nice array of practice management features, although it's not as robust in the areas of patient management and communication as some of the other solutions on our list. We appreciate that they have affordable pricing for small practices and that they offer online training and an excellent range of resources.

17. Eaglesoft: Best for Ease of Use

4.1/5 (104) (Ratings as of 2/16/2024)

Overview: Eaglesoft is one of the best-known and most established options for dental practice management software. Users praise it for its intuitive interface and how easy it is to use, and DentalTown users love Eaglesoft’s treatment plans. Our main complaint (and reviewers’ bone to pick) is that there are issues with Eaglesoft for Windows users that often require a call to tech support when Windows updates.

Eaglesoft dental practice management software

Service Model: Installed on a server

Hardware/Operating System Requirements: Intel Xeon Processor (6th Generation or higher¹), 8 GB RAM, 1 TB 7200 RPM Hard Drive Raid Level 1 or 5², Gigabit Ethernet Adapterm,  Intel USB Chipset with at least 4 powered USB 2.0 Ports3, Additional PCI, PCIe, or USB 2.0 (or newer) expansion slots may be required. Read the rest of the system requirements here.

Price: There is no pricing on the Eaglesoft/Patterson website. You’ll need to contact them for a quote.

Free Demo: Yes

Support: Eaglesoft offers “live chat, email, and phone support from our 200+ friendly specialists.” Their website doesn’t mention support hours. We reached out for additional information and will update this post as needed.

Response Time: We emailed Eaglesoft to ask about their support hours. We got an immediate response saying they would respond within one business day. We didn’t receive a response. A review of their support options reveals that their support is localized and designed to be used only by people with an active customer number.

Training: There are a few training videos on the Eaglesoft/Patterson website. There’s also an option to access the Patterson Education Center, which you can do once you’re a paying client.

Key features:

  • Patient and employee scheduling
  • Intellicare reminders
  • Family scheduling
  • Insurance fee schedule
  • Bulk insurance payments
  • Smart claims
  • Automated account aging
  • Smart invoices & statements
  • Family walk-out
  • Kiosk check-in
  • Digital imaging integration
  • Digital charting
  • Treatment plan creation & management

The Takeaway

For dental practices that prefer installed software, Eaglesoft is a good option. We appreciate how easy it is for staff to get up and running thanks to Eaglesoft’s user-friendly interface. The main issue Eaglesoft needs to address is the way it reacts to Windows.

Dental Practice Management Software Buyer's Guide

Before you invest in dental practice management software, it’s necessary to understand which features are available, how it can help you manage and grow your practice, and how to choose the right software solution for your needs.

Questions to Ask Before Buying Dental Practice Software

There are many things to consider before you choose dental practice management software. We can’t tell you which features to prioritize or how much to spend, but here’s a quick checklist of questions to help you review your choices.

What features are must-haves for your chosen software, and which can you live without?

Remember that some software includes features in multiple categories, including administration, patient management, clinical, and even marketing.

Which problems do you need to solve to grow your practice?

Any dental practice management software you choose should provide solutions for your most pressing challenges. For example, you might need to improve your patient retention rate, streamline repetitive tasks, or track KPIs to make sure you’re on track with your goals.

Will you continue to use any of your existing software in your practice?

If you plan to add dental practice management software to an existing suite of digital tools, you’ll need to think about whether your new software will integrate seamlessly with other tools you use. You’ll need to ask the same question about your hardware, including diagnostic machines. Most software options have a list of integrations on their websites; if they don’t, make sure to ask about integrations when you have your free demo.

How easy will it be for your staff to learn how to use the software’s features?

When switching to new dental practice management software, you should expect a learning curve. Ease of use should be a priority since you’ll want your staff to get up to speed as quickly as possible. Some things to pay attention to include what the interface looks like and whether it’s intuitive to use and navigate. Ask the same questions about the patient portal and any other patient-facing features.

What kind of support is provided?

All the software options on our list provide some support, but you should make sure to get the details. For example, what support formats are available? Examples may include email, phone, and live chat. What are the hours for support, e.g., can you get help outside of regular business hours? On a related note, is support included in the price of the software or will you be required to purchase a support package at an additional price? If so, how much do they cost?

What kind of training is provided?

Training is essential to familiarize your practice and patients with new software. We suggest asking if the training is live, meaning either online or in person. Inquire if the cost of training is included or if there’s an additional cost–and if there is, how much is it? Is there a resource library to help you and your staff use the software? On this last point, we recommend visiting the website to look at the resources. Some indicate there’s a resource library but have only a few videos or articles.

How much does the software cost, and does it fit into your budget?

Most of the practice management solutions on our list have ad hoc pricing based on your practice’s needs, so it’s going to be very important to ask about pricing and get a quote. Make sure to ask about add-ons and hidden fees to ensure you have the whole picture before you commit.

We recommend answering these questions yourself and getting answers from key staff members, including dentists, hygienists, front office staff, and your office manager. Keep track of their responses to be sure you have a clear idea of what you need, want, and can afford to pay.

Dental Practice Management Software Trends

The practice of dentistry is constantly evolving, and so are the software solutions used to manage dental practices. Technological advances can help you improve patient care and streamline routine tasks for a more efficient and profitable practice. Here are some trends we have noticed in dental practice management software.

Artificial Intelligence

The use of AI is becoming increasingly commonplace in every area of healthcare, including dental care. We’ve written in the past about how AI can streamline routine tasks. The newest trend is the use of AI in advanced diagnostics and the creation of treatment plans.

Integrated Digital Imaging

While some software options include digital imaging, many dental professionals have imaging software they prefer. When that's the case, it's a good idea to look for software that integrates with existing imaging software. Third-party integration ensures a smooth transition to new software, allows for accurate planning, and improves dentist/patient communication.

Mobile Solutions

While some people still prefer computers, the trend in digital communication is undeniably toward mobile technology. One of the biggest software trends in dentistry involves built-in mobile options such as HIPAA-compliant text messaging, mobile telemedicine, and mobile-friendly scheduling and communication. Cloud-based solutions make it easy to access your data using a tablet or smartphone, and you can provide patient kiosks with tablets.

Reputation Management

Customer feedback and reviews are important in dentistry because most patients will read reviews and recommendations online before choosing a dentist. Including dental reputation and review management tools in office management software makes it easy for dentists to monitor reviews and social media mentions to ensure that their practices have impeccable online reputations.

Membership Program Management

Increasingly, dental practices are adding patient membership programs to boost revenue and provide needed services to patients, particularly those without dental insurance. While we found only a few dental management solutions that include membership program management, we expect this to be a growing trend.

These trends have proven to have legs, as they are all things we have noted in previous years. Certain things, such as the use of AI in diagnostics, are expansions of existing trends.

Server Based vs Cloud-Based Dental Practice Management Software

When you research dental practice management software, you’ll need to decide whether you want a cloud-based option or one that’s based on your server. Each has pros and cons.

Let’s start with the cloud. With cloud-based software, there are several benefits to consider.

  • Files are stored offsite and are accessible from anywhere.
  • Most cloud-based services offer automatic backup of data.
  • No expensive hardware to buy.
  • Updates happen automatically.

The biggest potential downside of using a cloud-based service is the risk of data theft. While all reputable dental practice management software services are HIPAA compliant and have strong security, there is still a risk that your data could be compromised.

The benefit of server-based software is that your data is on-site and not on the web. That may be enough for some dentists to choose server-based software for their practices, but there are some downsides you should know about.

  • You will be responsible for making backups to your server and storing them properly.
  • Updates to your software will need to be installed regularly.
  • If your server fails, you won’t have access to your software.
  • You won’t be able to access the software remotely without the use of a third-party program.

For these reasons, most dentists choose cloud-based dental practice management software. They make sure to choose a company that is HIPAA compliant and has implemented state-of-the-art security to protect their clients’ data. All the solutions on our list are HIPAA compliant.

Typical Cost of Dental Software Programs

A common question about dental software programs is how much they cost. It used to be easy to answer that question since most software companies had a pricing page on their website. That’s no longer the case because we’re living in the age of software-as-a-service, where everything’s a subscription. Finding a clear pricing page for any dental practice management solution is unusual.

We found only two options that listed subscription pricing. DentiMax and Open Dental's lowest price was $179 per month. Depending on your chosen features, the upper range could be $500 per month or more. Several companies offer add-on features to customize your software, which will increase the cost.

The best way to compare costs is to obtain quotes from the software companies that provide the features and functions you need and compare those. We suggest making a comparison chart so you can see which features are included at what price.

Some Other Dental Practice Management Software to Consider

The following dental practice software providers didn’t quite make the cut for our Top 17 list. Still, you might consider one of these solutions if you specifically use a Mac, want to try an open-source dental software solution, or just want to see more options.

Practice Web — An all-in-one, paperless solution. Runs only on the Microsoft.NET platform.
Dentrix Ascend (by Henry Schein) – A cloud-based option from the same company that makes Dentrix.
Viive (by Henry Schein) — Proprietary software (with some online features) specifically for Mac.

Free Dental Practice Management Software

A few dental practice management software solutions are advertised as being free, but this is rarely, if ever, the case. Usually, the so-called free software features a version that is limited in its capabilities or doesn’t include customer support in case something goes wrong. This type of basic free software is called a “freemium” version.

If you decide to try a free version of dental practice management software, it’s essential that you back up your data regularly. If the company whose software you are using goes under or if there's a technical problem and you need to switch providers, you may not be able to migrate your data easily (or at all.)

ABELDent is an example of dental practice management software with a freemium option. They may offer free dental EHR, appointment scheduling, charting, treatment planning, and other features. Both customer support and claims are limited at the free level. Some providers may offer a free trial version, but most don’t. Many offer a reduced price for new dental practices and cap the number of patients you can manage without upgrading your plan.

We strongly recommend paying for the dental practice management software you need. The payment is part of a contract between you and the provider, and it offers you some recourse if you don't get what you paid for.

Final Thoughts About Dental Management Software

The dental practice management software you choose will significantly impact your practice in various areas, including the patient experience, the daily work of your front office staff and clinicians, and even how you manage your online reputation or referral program. The right solution can help you streamline your processes and make your dental office more productive and efficient. If you’re not fully happy with your dental practice software, check out some of the demos of the software systems on our list to see if they work better for you.

We want to note that all information in this post is accurate and confirmed to the best of our ability. Companies don't always update their websites with new graphics and information as quickly as we’d like, and most don’t list pricing information. Still, we will update this post if anything changes or if we receive responses to our inquiries.

While some of the software options we’ve reviewed offer marketing features, they can’t replace the services of an experienced dental marketing agency. If you need help attracting more patients to grow your practice, contact us today to schedule a time to discuss your growth goals and learn how we can assist you. 

If your software was mentioned on this list, and you feel we misrepresented it or have information needing updating, please contact us

No company has paid us to be featured on this list.

 

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