Open Dental

Open Dental is dental practice software offered with a software license and support plan. Its listed eServices include a patient portal, web forms, automated messaging, texting, eClipboard, mobile access, and online scheduling. Practice features include patient self-booking, provider calendars, appointment reminders, online intake forms, and multi-location support. A free trial does not expire, but is limited to 30 patients and excludes API and eServices. It includes a blank database and a demo database with fictional patients, but not copyrighted CDT content. Windows 11 and Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025 are listed as supported systems; Linux or macOS can be used as a server alternative, but the client program cannot run on Linux or Mac workstations. Monthly support includes software updates and phone, chat, and email technical support, with up to two specific issues per call. Listed pricing starts at $89/month/location or office for Other Countries under a 12-month contract; fees vary by location, provider count, and functionality. Data conversion is not included in the monthly support fee.

Open Dental combines practice services with licensing and monthly support. Check the trial limits, workstation requirements, and location-based pricing before choosing a plan.

Open Dental may suit dental practices seeking practice-management tools with eServices and support for multiple locations. Schools and qualifying clinics may also be eligible for a free license and support plan.

Overview

Open Dental is dental-practice software sold with a license and monthly support, with optional eServices for patient-facing tasks. It suits practices that want scheduling, patient services, and location support, but its trial excludes connected services and its fees vary by location and provider count.

The free trial has no expiration date, but it is capped at 30 patients and does not support the API or eServices. It includes a blank database and a demo populated with fictional patients, but excludes copyrighted CDT content. That makes it useful for exploring core software workflows, not for assessing the full patient-service setup.

Key features

• Patient services and scheduling: eServices include a patient portal, web forms, automated messaging, texting, eClipboard, mobile access, and online scheduling. Patient self-booking, appointment reminders, online intake forms, and provider calendars are also supported. These options can bring routine patient interactions into the practice software, though they are outside the trial.
• Location and deployment: Multi-location support is available, and Open Dental Cloud serves US customers at one or multiple locations. Workstations and servers can use Windows 11 and Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, or 2025; Linux or macOS can be used as server alternatives. The client program cannot run on Linux or Mac workstations, so offices using those desktops need another workstation arrangement.
• Integrations and data access: Native integrations include DoseSpot e-prescribing, Global Payments, PayConnect, PaySimple, BetterDiagnostics, Pearl, DentalXChange, and EDS. Open Dental identifies its API as the approved route for third parties to write to the database, a defined path for integration work.
• Security: Individual credentials, permission groups, global security settings, and an audit trail of user actions support controlled access and accountability. Security documentation lists TLS 1.2 for browser-based eServices and AES encryption for eConnector communication.
• Support: Monthly support includes software updates and technical help by phone, chat, and email, with up to two specific issues per call. That provides several support channels, but the per-call issue limit may matter to offices that need to resolve multiple problems in one conversation.

Pricing

Open Dental is freemium, with free options for qualifying users and paid license-and-support plans. Fees vary with location, provider count, and added functionality; data conversion is not included in the monthly support fee.

• Dental schools — free: Available to dental, hygiene, and dental assisting schools, plus qualifying clinics with student rotations and adjunctive faculty clinics on school premises. It is a targeted free option, not a general no-cost plan for private practices.
• Developing countries — free: The license and support plan is free, but support is limited. It is relevant to eligible practices willing to accept that restriction.
• Other countries — $89 a month: Billed at $89/month/location or office on a 12-month contract. It covers all computers at one location and up to 3 providers, with support by email and telephone. Practices above the provider cap or needing additional functionality should account for variable fees.
• United States — $199 a month: Billed at $199/month/location or office for the initial 12 months, then 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 lower continuing rate comes only after the initial 12-month period, and the location and provider limits still apply.

The starting paid price of $89/mo (annual) does not describe every buyer’s cost: location, provider count, and functionality affect fees, and data conversion costs extra. Practices should match the plan’s provider and location limits to their actual setup before committing.

Platforms

Platforms include Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, alongside API and self-hosted options. The client program itself cannot run on Linux or Mac workstations, although Linux and macOS can serve as server alternatives. Open Dental Cloud is available to US customers.

Who it's for

Open Dental is a strong fit for dental offices that want patient-facing services, provider calendars, and support for more than one location, and that can work within per-location and up-to-three-provider plan limits. Qualifying dental schools and clinics have a distinct free option. It is less suitable for a practice that needs Linux or Mac workstations for the client, wants to test eServices through the trial, or needs data conversion included in support.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Patient portal, online scheduling, reminders, intake forms, and other eServices cover several digital patient workflows in one offering.
• Pro: Plans cover all computers at one location, which avoids a per-computer cap within that location’s stated allowance.
• Pro: The trial has no time limit and includes both blank and fictional-patient databases.
• Con: The trial’s 30-patient cap and lack of API and eServices access prevent a full evaluation of connected workflows.
• Con: Paid plans cap coverage at 3 providers per location, and prices vary by location and functionality.
• Con: Linux and Mac workstations cannot run the client, and data conversion is outside the monthly support fee.

Alternatives

For a broader set of options, browse Dental Appointment Scheduling Software.

• Oryx Dental is a paid alternative with Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows support; consider it if those platform options suit your practice better.
• Practice-Web is paid, offers a free trial, and supports Android, iOS, web, and Windows; it is worth considering if a trial on those platforms is a priority.
• DentiMax is a paid option for Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows, with an in-office plan allowing up to 10 software licenses per location; consider it if that license allowance better fits your office.
• Curve Dental is a paid option for Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows, with startup implementation and license fees specially priced.
• CareStack is a paid option with an Essentials plan starting at $829/month and support for Android, API, iOS, and web; consider it if that platform mix and starting plan suit your needs.
• Dentrix Ascend is a paid alternative for web and iOS.
• ClearDent is a paid alternative for web, iOS, and Android.
• Dentalink is a paid option with Android, API, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows support; its Pro plan is offered on monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual terms with custom pricing.

Verdict

Choose Open Dental if your practice wants patient services, scheduling, and multi-location support with a license-and-support arrangement, and your location and provider count fit the plan. Its broad eServices and unlimited-duration trial are compelling, but the trial cannot demonstrate those services, and variable fees, the three-provider cap, and workstation restrictions may make another system a better fit.