Open Dental

Overview

Open Dental is licensed dental-practice software paired with a support plan and optional patient-facing services. It suits practices that want scheduling, patient communication tools, and control over their software environment. The main trade-offs are provider- and location-based fees, Windows-only workstations for its client, and a trial that excludes connected services.

Its no-expiration trial is capped at 30 patients, with a blank database and a demo database of fictional patients. It does not include API or eServices access or copyrighted CDT content, so it can help assess core workflows but not the complete patient-facing offering.

Key features

• Patient-facing services: eServices include a patient portal, web forms, automated messaging, texting, eClipboard, mobile access, and online scheduling. Self-booking, provider calendars, appointment reminders, and online intake forms are also supported. This breadth is useful for practices that want patients to handle more interactions online, but those services are outside the trial.
• Integrations: Native integrations include DoseSpot for e-prescribing, Global Payments, PayConnect, PaySimple, BetterDiagnostics, Pearl, DentalXChange, and EDS. That gives buyers concrete options to check against existing vendors before committing.
• API and security: Open Dental identifies its API as the approved way for third parties to write to its database. Individual credentials, permission groups, global security settings, and an audit trail provide administrative controls. Browser-based eServices use TLS 1.2, while eConnector communication uses AES encryption.
• Support: Monthly support includes updates and phone, chat, and email technical assistance, with up to two specific issues per call. Data conversion is not included in the monthly support fee, so migration may require separate budgeting.

Pricing

Open Dental uses a freemium model, with paid plans starting at $89/mo (annual). Pricing depends on location, provider count, and additional functionality; fees should therefore be assessed against the practice’s actual setup rather than the entry price alone.

• Open Dental for Dental Schools: 0.00 USD per free for dental, hygiene, and dental assisting schools, including qualifying clinics with student rotations and adjunctive faculty clinics on school premises. This is a narrowly eligible option, not a general free tier.
• Developing Countries license and support: 0.00 USD per free, with support limited. It is relevant to eligible practices willing to accept that support constraint.
• Other Countries license and support: 89.00 USD per month, billed $89/month/location or office · 12-month contract. It covers all computers at one location and up to 3 providers, with support by email and telephone. The location and provider caps make it a fit for smaller offices; additional providers or locations affect the economics.
• United States license and support: 199.00 USD per month, billed $199/month/location or office for the initial 12 months; the current reduced rate is $149/month/location after 12 consecutive months. It covers all computers at one location and up to 3 providers. The reduction comes only after the first 12 months, and the same provider and location limits warrant close review.

Open Dental Cloud is available to US customers for one or multiple locations. The stated monthly support fee does not include data conversion.

Platforms

Supported workstation and server systems include Windows 11 and Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025; Linux or macOS can be used as server alternatives. The Open Dental client cannot run on Linux or Mac workstations, which is a material constraint for teams standardizing on those desktops. Android, iOS, web, API, and self-hosted options are also identified, alongside Windows, Linux, and macOS platform support.

Who it's for

Open Dental is a strong candidate for dental practices that need patient-facing services, provider scheduling, multiple-location support, and defined user permissions and audit controls. It is less suitable for teams that require a Linux or Mac workstation client, need to evaluate API or eServices functionality before purchase, or want migration included in the support fee.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Patient portal, forms, messaging, texting, eClipboard, mobile access, and scheduling support a broad set of patient workflows.
• Pros: The API is identified as the approved third-party write path, while user permissions and audit trails support controlled access.
• Pros: The trial has no expiration and includes both blank and fictional-patient databases.
• Cons: The trial limit of 30 patients and lack of API and eServices access prevent evaluation of the full connected workflow.
• Cons: The client cannot run on Linux or Mac workstations, limiting desktop choice despite server alternatives.
• Cons: Paid pricing is constrained by location and provider count, and data conversion is outside the monthly support fee.

Alternatives

For a broader shortlist, see Dental Appointment Scheduling Software.

• CareStack is worth considering when a practice wants its listed multi-specialty scheduling, charting and treatment planning, and imaging, and can accommodate a paid plan starting at $829/month.
• Dentalink is an option for teams comparing a platform with Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows support and custom-priced Pro packaging.
• DentinCloud may suit a small web-based operation seeking a free tier capped at 2 users, 250 patients, and 500 MB, with appointment and patient management, basic reports, and email support.
• Oryx Dental is another paid alternative to compare for its listed Startup Offer terms.
• ABELDent offers a free Windows option, with telephone support, one-on-one training, updates, migration, and premium options chargeable.
• Curve Dental is an alternative for teams evaluating a paid platform whose pricing is custom.
• Practice-Web is worth comparing when month-to-month mass email marketing for up to 5,000 patients is a priority; its listed plan is $35/mo (reg. $70/mo), with the $199 setup fee waived.
• DentiMax is another paid option, with an in-office plan capped at 10 software licenses per location.

Verdict

Choose Open Dental if your practice values patient-facing workflows, multi-location support, and defined API and security controls, and can work within its location- and provider-based pricing. Look elsewhere if Mac or Linux workstations are essential, or if you need a trial that exercises the API and eServices before purchase.