Open Dental Reviews, Pricing, Features & Alternatives in 2026
Open Dental is a highly customizable practice management software providing dental offices with open-source database access to manage clinical charting, electronic prescriptions, and patient billing efficiently.
Open Dental gives you full control over your practice management with its unique open-source database structure. You can customize the software to fit your specific clinical workflows, whether you run a solo general practice or a large multi-specialty mobile clinic. It handles everything from complex treatment planning and 3D charting to appointment scheduling and automated text reminders, ensuring your front and back office stay synchronized.
You own your data completely, allowing you to run custom queries and reports that most locked-down platforms don't permit. The software is designed to reduce your overhead costs by offering a scalable monthly subscription that includes comprehensive technical support and regular updates. It solves the common frustration of rigid software by letting you choose your own hardware and third-party integrations.
Screenshots & Interface
Dashboard View
Main dashboard with project overview
Kanban Board
Kanban-style task management
Timeline View
Gantt chart timeline view
Automations
Workflow automation builder
Key Features
Stop fighting with rigid dental software that limits how you work. Open Dental provides a flexible, feature-rich environment that adapts to your clinical needs while keeping your patient data accessible and secure.
Graphical Tooth Charting
Visualize patient oral health with 3D charting that tracks restorative work, periodontal measurements, and existing conditions.
Treatment Planning
Create multi-phased treatment plans for your patients and present clear cost estimates to improve case acceptance rates.
e-Prescribing
Send prescriptions electronically to pharmacies directly from the patient's chart to save time and improve clinical accuracy.
Appointment Module
Manage your daily schedule with color-coded blocks, drag-and-drop rescheduling, and real-time views of provider availability.
Custom Reporting
Run deep-dive queries on your practice data to track production, collections, and patient demographics without technical restrictions.
Mobile Web Tools
Access your schedule and patient contact information from your smartphone or tablet when you are away from the office.
Integrations
CareCredit
Change Healthcare
DoseSpot
Global Payments
Mango Voice
Modento
Podium
Weave
Pricing Plans
Open Dental uses a straightforward monthly subscription model that covers your entire office regardless of the number of workstations. You can start with a trial version to explore the features before committing to a paid support contract. Pricing is transparent and scales based on whether you are a new or existing practice.
Based on feedback from dental professionals who use the system daily, here is what you can expect from the Open Dental experience:
Pros
Unmatched customization options for clinical workflows
Direct access to your own database
Affordable flat-rate pricing for the entire office
Highly responsive and knowledgeable technical support
Cons
Initial setup requires a steeper learning curve
Interface looks dated compared to modern web apps
Requires manual server management for on-premise installs
Who Should Use Open Dental?
Perfect for dental practices of all sizes that want full ownership of their data and the ability to customize their clinical software.
Best for Company Sizes
small-business
mid-market
enterprise
Popular Industries
healthcare
Our Verdict
Open Dental is a top-tier choice if you value flexibility and data ownership over a flashy user interface. It provides a level of customization that is rare in the dental industry, making it ideal for practices with unique workflows or those who want to avoid being locked into a specific vendor's ecosystem.
While the interface feels a bit traditional, the depth of functionality and the quality of support make it a reliable workhorse for your office. Highly recommended if you want a powerful, cost-effective solution and don't mind a bit of a learning curve to get everything dialed in perfectly.
Ready to Try Open Dental?
Start your 0-day free trial today—no credit card required. See why over 0 teams trust Open Dental