Open Dental

Overview

Open Dental is dental-practice software sold with a license and support plan, with optional eServices for patient-facing workflows. It is a strong candidate for practices that want scheduling, intake, and communications in one system; its location- and provider-based fees make the final cost less predictable than the entry price suggests.

The no-expiry trial supports up to 30 patients and includes blank and fictional-patient databases, but not API or eServices access or copyrighted CDT content. It is useful for exploring core workflows, not for judging the connected services that may shape a practice’s buying decision.

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, provider calendars, appointment reminders, and online intake forms are also supported. That is a substantial set of digital front-office tools, though the trial’s exclusions make them harder to evaluate before committing.

Integrations: Native integrations include DoseSpot e-prescribing, Global Payments, PayConnect, PaySimple, BetterDiagnostics, Pearl, DentalXChange, and EDS. This breadth can reduce the need to evaluate each connection separately, but does not establish that every integration is included in the base fee.

API and security: Open Dental identifies its API as the approved way for third parties to write to the database. User credentials, permission groups, global security settings, and an audit trail support controlled access and accountability. Security documentation specifies TLS 1.2 for browser-based eServices and AES encryption for eConnector communication.

Support: Monthly support includes updates and phone, chat, and email technical support, with up to two specific issues per call. The defined call limit is worth factoring in for offices that expect frequent troubleshooting; data conversion is not included in the monthly support fee.

Pricing

Open Dental uses a freemium model, with paid plans starting at $89/month on an annual basis. Fees vary by location, provider count, and additional functionality, so the entry price is not a complete cost estimate for every practice.

Open Dental for Dental Schools: Free for dental, hygiene, and dental assisting schools, qualifying clinics with student rotations, and adjunctive faculty clinics on school premises. This is a narrow eligibility-based option, not a general free tier for private practices.

Developing Countries license and support: Free, with support limited. It may suit eligible practices able to work within that support constraint.

Other Countries license and support: $89/month/location or office on a 12-month contract, covering all computers at one location and up to three providers, with email and telephone support. The provider ceiling and location-based billing matter for larger or multi-office practices.

United States license and support: $199/month/location or office for the initial 12 months, covering all computers at one location and up to three providers. The current reduced rate is $149/month/location after 12 consecutive months. Budget for the higher initial term and check how provider count and additional functionality affect the total.

Open Dental Cloud is available to US customers for one or multiple locations. Data conversion costs extra, and the free trial’s 30-patient cap and lack of API and eServices access mean it cannot validate the full paid offering.

Platforms

Open Dental’s platform coverage includes Android, iOS, API, Linux, macOS, web, Windows, and self-hosted deployment. The client program itself cannot run on Linux or Mac workstations: supported workstation and server systems include Windows 11 and Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025, while Linux or macOS can be used as a server alternative. That distinction matters for offices hoping to keep their desktop workstations on Mac or Linux.

Who it's for

Open Dental fits dental practices that need provider calendars, patient self-booking, reminders, online intake, and a broad suite of patient services, including offices planning for multiple locations. It is less suitable for a practice that needs to trial the API or connected eServices before buying, relies on Mac or Linux client workstations, or needs conversion included in its support fee.

Pros and cons

Pro: The combination of scheduling, intake, reminders, and patient-facing eServices supports digital workflows beyond the core practice software.

Pro: The trial has no time limit and offers both blank and fictional-patient databases, giving offices room to assess core use without a countdown.

Pro: The API, audit trail, permission controls, and documented encryption provide concrete tools for integration and access oversight.

Con: The trial excludes API and eServices and caps the database at 30 patients, limiting evaluation of key connected workflows.

Con: Client workstations must use Windows; Linux and macOS are server alternatives, not workstation options.

Con: Pricing varies with location, provider count, and functionality, and data conversion is outside monthly support.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison focused on scheduling, see Dental Appointment Scheduling Software.

Oryx Dental is a paid alternative with Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows support; its startup offer is priced at $0.00 per month under a time- or patient-triggered regular-price condition.

MolarPlus is worth comparing if Linux support and a low-cost annual plan matter: its Plus plan is $4.00 per month, billed $48/year, and includes one clinic, five staff logins, 500 new patients and 500 appointments per month, and 100 GB storage.

Dentella may suit a small clinic seeking a free option: its Free plan is free for one chair, a public clinic page, and online bookings.

Practice-Web is a paid, Windows-compatible alternative with a free trial; its Mass Email Marketing plan is $35 a month, month-to-month, with a $199 setup fee waived and capacity up to 5,000 patients.

DentinCloud is another freemium option, with a web-only Free plan supporting two users, up to 250 patients, 500 MB storage, appointment and patient management, basic reports, and email support.

Dentalink is a paid alternative with Android, API, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows support and custom pricing.

ABELDent has a free tier and trial but runs on Windows; its freemium offering uses a free Microsoft database.

Curve Dental is a paid alternative with Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows support and custom pricing.

Verdict

Choose Open Dental if your practice wants a broad dental workflow platform with patient-facing services, scheduling, and multi-location support, and can accommodate Windows client workstations and variable location-based costs. Look elsewhere if you need to validate API or eServices access during a trial, need Mac or Linux desktops, or want data conversion bundled into support.