Open Dental review

Open Dental is the value pick for practices that do not mind running their own server or paying for a hosting partner. The US license and support fee is $199 per location per month for the first 12 months and drops to $149 after that, covering every computer in the office and up to three providers, with $20 a month for each extra provider. That buys a graphical tooth chart, perio charting, treatment planning, insurance and billing, built-in and custom queries, electronic prescriptions through DoseSpot or NewCrop, and hundreds of bridges to imaging and other programs, plus native links to more than 20 clearinghouses. Patient-facing tools are sold separately as eServices: a patient portal, Web Sched online booking, integrated texting, eClipboard check-in and automated confirmations, or $165 a month as a bundle. Open Dental is highly configurable, which suits offices with an IT person or a willing office manager, but the setup and data conversion take more effort than the cloud systems on this list.

Who it is for

Cost-conscious practices with some IT capacity that want deep customization and a long list of integrations.

Price

$199 per location per month for the first 12 months, then $149 per month; eServices extra.

Initial Rate: $199/month/location or office
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• Graphical and 3D tooth chart showing dentition and treatment over time
• Hundreds of bridges to other programs and 20+ clearinghouse integrations
• Built-in and user queries for custom reports
• Conversions from more than 200 dental practice management systems
• Optional eServices: patient portal, Web Sched, texting, eClipboard and automated messaging

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Every fee is published, including add-ons and extra providers
• Strength: Base license covers all computers at a location for up to 3 providers
• Strength: Rate drops to $149 per month after 12 months
• Weakness: Self-hosted by default; Open Dental Cloud costs extra
• Weakness: Data conversion is not included in the license fee
• Weakness: Online booking and texting are paid eServices, $165 per month as a bundle

Key facts

• Deployment: Self-hosted, or Open Dental Cloud for an added fee
• Contract: 12 months, then month to month
• Extra providers: $20 per month each beyond 3

Where it ranks

Open Dental is No. 3 in our Best Dental Practice Management Software verdict.