# 6 Best Dental Software - 2026 Reviews & Pricing > Find the best Dental Software for your organization. Compare top Dental Software systems with customer reviews, pricing, and free demos. Source: https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/p/all --- [Home](https://www.softwareadvice.com/) / Dental Software Software Advice offers objective insights based on verified user reviews and independent product and market research. When our advisors match you to a software provider, we may earn a referral fee. # Best Dental Software of 2026 Updated June 9, 2026 Written by [Lisa Morris](https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/author/lisa-morris/) Associate Principal Analyst Edited by [Caroline Rousseau](https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/author/caroline-rousseau/) Senior Editor Reviewed by [Cassie Kalisz](https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/author/cassie-kalisz/) Software Advisor Talk with us for a free 15-min consultation Expert advisors like Jacqueline, who have helped 1,000+ organizations, can find the right software for your needs. On this page - All Software - Software Advice FrontRunners - Buyer's Guide - Frequently Asked Questions - Popular Comparisons Dental software helps general dentists and orthodontists manage practices, maintain patient records, and utilize industry-specific imaging and billing codes. With over 285 products on Software Advice, knowing where to start can be tough. To help you narrow it down, I worked with our dental software advisors to curate **a list of recommended productsi and a list of the dental software Frontrunners based on user reviews. For further information,** [read my dental software buyer's guide.](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/#buyers-guide) ## Dental Software (128 products) Sort by **Recommendations**: Sorts listings by the number of recommendations our advisors have made over the past 30 days. Our advisors assess buyers’ needs for free and only recommend products that meet buyers’ needs. Vendors pay Software Advice for these referrals. **Reviews**: Sorts listings by the number of user reviews we have published, greatest to least. **Average Rating**: Sorts listings by overall star rating based on user reviews, highest to lowest. **Alphabetically (A-Z)**: Sorts listings by product name from A to Z. Sort by **Recommendations**: Sorts listings by the number of recommendations our advisors have made over the past 30 days. Our advisors assess buyers’ needs for free and only recommend products that meet buyers’ needs. Vendors pay Software Advice for these referrals. **Reviews**: Sorts listings by the number of user reviews we have published, greatest to least. **Average Rating**: Sorts listings by overall star rating based on user reviews, highest to lowest. **Alphabetically (A-Z)**: Sorts listings by product name from A to Z. [DentiMax](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/dentimax-profile/) DentiMax is one of the only solutions to offer a complete Digital Sensor, Imaging software, and Practice Management Software sol...[Read more about DentiMax](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/dentimax-profile/) **4.5** ([94 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/dentimax-profile/reviews/)) **12** recommendations Free trial Free version DentiMax's Best Rated Features 4.0Appointment Management See All DentiMax's Worst Rated Features 3.86Treatment Planning See All [Curve Dental](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/curve-dental-profile/) Curve Dental is a comprehensive dental software solution. It is designed to streamline workflows and enhance communication for b...[Read more about Curve Dental](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/curve-dental-profile/) **4.4** ([285 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/curve-dental-profile/reviews/)) **8** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Birdeye Weave +6 more +5 more +4 more Curve Dental's Best Rated Features 4.63Scheduling See All Curve Dental's Worst Rated Features 3.50Client Management See All [Dentrix Ascend](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/dentrix-ascend-profile/) Dentrix Ascend is a web-based software suite for dental care. The software suite provides tools for scheduling, appointment book...[Read more about Dentrix Ascend](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/dentrix-ascend-profile/) **4.1** ([234 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/dentrix-ascend-profile/reviews/)) **8** recommendations Free trial Free version Dentrix Ascend's Best Rated Features 4.20Charting See All Dentrix Ascend's Worst Rated Features 3.36Claims Management See All [iDentalSoft](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/identalsoft-profile/) iDentalSoft is an all-in-one, cloud-based dental practice management solution designed for practices of all sizes and specialtie...[Read more about iDentalSoft](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/identalsoft-profile/) **4.6** ([61 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/identalsoft-profile/reviews/)) **7** recommendations Free trial Free version iDentalSoft's Best Rated Features 5.0Confirmations/Reminders See All iDentalSoft's Worst Rated Features 4.20Imaging and X-rays See All [ThriveCloud](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/thrivecloud-profile/) Developed by dentists, for dentists, ThriveCloud is a cloud-based dental practice management software that helps users create th...[Read more about ThriveCloud](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/thrivecloud-profile/) **3.8** ([12 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/thrivecloud-profile/#reviews)) **6** recommendations Free trial Free version Integrations Integrations Mango Voice Apteryx XVWeb +1 more +0 more +0 more ThriveCloud's Best Rated Features 4.63Imaging and X-rays See All ThriveCloud's Worst Rated Features 3.88Treatment Planning See All 1 [2](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/?page=2)[3](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/?page=3)[4](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/?page=4)[5](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/?page=5)[6](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/?page=6) ### Software Advice FrontRunners 2026 Software Average Score Pricing Info Weave 4.33 ([670](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/158992-Weave/reviews/)) 93/100 Best for Mobile App Adit 4.67 ([283](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/adit-profile/reviews/)) 91/100 Highly Rated for Quick Implementation CareStack 4.79 ([205](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/carestack-profile/reviews/)) 89/100 Best for Customer Satisfaction Practice-Web 4.90 ([115](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/practice-web-profile/reviews/)) 83/100 Best for Usability Dentrix 4.29 ([376](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/dentrix-profile/reviews/)) 81/100 Most Used by Health, Wellness and Fitness Akitu One 4.93 ([41](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/akitu-one-profile/reviews/)) 75/100 Most Used by Hospital & Health Care Weave 4.33 ([670](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/158992-Weave/reviews/)) Average Score: 93/100 Adit 4.67 ([283](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/adit-profile/reviews/)) Average Score: 91/100 CareStack 4.79 ([205](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/carestack-profile/reviews/)) Average Score: 89/100 Practice-Web 4.90 ([115](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/practice-web-profile/reviews/)) Average Score: 83/100 Dentrix 4.29 ([376](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/dentrix-profile/reviews/)) Average Score: 81/100 Akitu One 4.93 ([41](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/akitu-one-profile/reviews/)) Average Score: 75/100 How We Selected This Software List 838verified reviews 55+Software Advisors on staff 55conversations with active software buyers Our independent and objective research is based on market demand signals along with analysis of our proprietary data, including product information, verified user reviews, and advisor conversations with buyers. Get a software list tailored to your industry and business needs in 15 minutes * * * ## Best for Mobile App ### [Weave](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/158992-Weave/) **4.3** ([670 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/158992-Weave/reviews/)) Average score: 93/100 Average Score: 93/100 Pros: two-way texting with patients all-in-one communication platform Cons: glitchy and unstable software frequent phone system outages and dropped calls Pricing: Pricing available upon request Why we chose this: According to our user reviews, Weave is the most requested by users for mobile app out of the most popular tools. Who should use this: Weave is best for practices seeking robust mobile app capabilities for patient communication and office management on the go. Our reviewers say the mobile app makes it easy to view schedules, answer calls and texts remotely, and streamline appointment reminders, improving workflow and responsiveness outside the office. - Reviewers Perspective "I have been using Weave for over three years now and it truly helps our office with every aspect of communication - chatting with team members within the office, being able to text patients, and sending digital forms." AL Abby Luker Administrative Coordinator Used for 2+ years We analyzed 417 verified user reviews for Weave to find out what actual users really think. **Ease of Use** Staff manage office operations from desktop or mobile apps. Dental teams stay connected and handle daily tasks efficiently, regardless of technical background. **Appointment Reminders** Dental offices automate appointment confirmations and reminders. Staff customize messages and use two-way texting to reduce no-shows and save time. **Office Management** Dental practices coordinate paperwork and workflows across locations. Teams use real-time interoffice messaging and remote management to keep tasks organized. - Key Features Weave's score Category average Appointment Management 4.33 4.56 category average HIPAA Compliant 4.80 4.85 category average - Screenshots ## Highly Rated for Quick Implementation ### [Adit](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/adit-profile/) **4.7** ([283 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/adit-profile/reviews/)) Average score: 91/100 Average Score: 91/100 Pros: all-in-one platform convenience user-friendly interface Cons: frequent software glitches and freezes poor phone system quality and reliability Pricing: Starting at $399.00 per month Why we chose this: Of the products listed on our FrontRunners report, Adit is the highest rated for quick implementation out of the most popular tools. Who should use this: Adit is highly rated for organizations needing quick implementation of patient communication and reminder tools. Our reviewers point out that onboarding is fast and support is responsive, allowing teams to automate reminders, streamline forms, and improve workflow efficiency with minimal disruption. - Reviewers Perspective "Adit provides the ease of dependable communication between our practice and patients in the form of texting, call tracking, forms and reminders." TS Tamara Seal Leichliter Office Manager Used for 2+ years We analyzed 206 verified user reviews for Adit to find out what actual users really think. **Ease of Use** Staff navigate Adit’s interface easily. Dental practices access features quickly and manage workflows efficiently, minimizing the need for multiple tools. **Features** Dental offices consolidate tools for office functions, security, and updates. Practices benefit from customizable options without unnecessary features or promotions. **Patient Reminders** Dental teams automate appointment confirmations, notifications, and forms via text and email. Practices reduce no-shows and streamline patient communication. - Key Features Adit's score Category average Appointment Management 4.68 4.56 category average HIPAA Compliant 4.86 4.85 category average Patient Records Management 4.44 4.46 category average - Screenshots ## Best for Customer Satisfaction ### [CareStack](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/carestack-profile/) **4.8** ([205 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/carestack-profile/reviews/)) Average score: 89/100 Average Score: 89/100 Pros: comprehensive all-in-one practice management user-friendly and intuitive interface Cons: challenging onboarding and learning curve missing or incomplete features Pricing: Starting at $698.00 per month Why we chose this: Of the products listed on our FrontRunners report, CareStack is the highest rated for customer satisfaction out of the most popular tools. Who should use this: CareStack is best for practices prioritizing customer satisfaction through comprehensive support and customization. Our reviewers say the platform’s responsive support team, tailored onboarding, and ability to adapt features to practice needs contribute to a positive user experience and efficient daily operations. - Reviewers Perspective "I like the ability to truly customize the software to work for our pediatric dental office, without having to create a bunch of modifications and work arounds." AR Amy Rowley Business Manager Used for 6-12 months We analyzed 152 verified user reviews for CareStack to find out what actual users really think. **Ease of Use** Staff access CareStack’s features easily. Dental practices streamline daily operations and reduce administrative burdens with a user-friendly interface. **Training and Learning Curve** Dental teams use trainers, materials, and coaching sessions to learn CareStack. Practices overcome learning curves with ongoing support and accessible resources. **Dental Practice Management** Dental offices manage scheduling, analytics, and patient engagement. Practices customize workflows and operate efficiently across single and multi-location groups. - Key Features CareStack's score Category average Appointment Management 4.74 4.56 category average HIPAA Compliant 4.94 4.85 category average Patient Records Management 4.72 4.46 category average - Screenshots ## Best for Usability ### [Practice-Web](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/practice-web-profile/) **4.9** ([115 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/practice-web-profile/reviews/)) Average score: 83/100 Average Score: 83/100 Pros: responsive and knowledgeable customer support ease of use and navigation Cons: limited insurance integration slow system performance Pricing: Starting at $49.00 per month Why we chose this: According to our user reviews, Practice-Web is the highest rated for its usability out of the most popular tools. Who should use this: Practice-Web is best for users who value ease of use in dental practice management software. Our reviewers say new staff can quickly learn the system, and highlight its intuitive navigation, logical workflows, and helpful training resources that make onboarding and daily tasks straightforward. - Reviewers Perspective "It gives you the drive to want to learn more about and actually watch the tutorial videos." LL Leslie Lambert office manager Used for 2+ years We analyzed 102 verified user reviews for Practice-Web to find out what actual users really think. **Customer Support** Practice-Web’s support team answers questions and resolves technical issues quickly. Dental offices use remote troubleshooting and personalized guidance for both simple and complex problems. **Ease of Use** Staff navigate Practice-Web’s logical layout efficiently. Dental practices train new employees with ease and transition smoothly from other software. **Dental Office** Dental teams manage charting, scheduling, and paperless operations. Practice-Web adapts to different specialties and supports eco-friendly, organized office environments. - Key Features Practice-Web's score Category average Appointment Management 4.89 4.56 category average HIPAA Compliant 4.96 4.85 category average Patient Records Management 4.83 4.46 category average - Screenshots ## Most Used by Health, Wellness and Fitness ### [Dentrix](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/dentrix-profile/) **4.3** ([376 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/dentrix-profile/reviews/)) Average score: 81/100 Average Score: 81/100 Pros: workflow and operational efficiency dental charting and treatment planning Cons: software crashes and glitches expensive pricing and hidden fees Pricing: Pricing available upon request Why we chose this: Of the products listed on our FrontRunners report, Dentrix is the most requested by users in health, wellness and fitness out of the most popular tools. Who should use this: Dentrix is most used by health, wellness, and fitness organizations seeking a widely adopted dental practice management solution. Our reviewers say it offers comprehensive features, strong integration with dental devices, and customizable workflows, making it familiar and efficient for dental office staff. - Reviewers Perspective "As someone who lives at the intersection of patient experience, practice growth, and operational efficiency, I’ve worked with my fair share of dental practice management systems. But Dentrix is one that consistently delivers the depth and insights a marketing executive like me needs to grow a practice strategically and sustainably." RW Robin Weir Executive Marketing Assistant Used for 1-2 years We analyzed 255 verified user reviews for Dentrix to find out what actual users really think. **Ease of Use** Staff can tailor Dentrix’s management windows and layout for their workflow. Dental offices benefit from quick workstation setup and an interface that new and experienced staff adapt to easily. **Training and Learning Curve** New hires learn Dentrix quickly, using online resources, conferences, and customer support. Dental practices streamline onboarding and ongoing learning with accessible training materials and regular updates. **Dental Practice Management** Dental teams manage scheduling, billing, patient records, and reporting in one platform. Dentrix reduces reliance on multiple programs and supports clinical and administrative tasks for small and large offices. - Key Features Dentrix's score Category average Appointment Management 4.27 4.56 category average Patient Records Management 4.27 4.46 category average - Screenshots ## Most Used by Hospital & Health Care ### [Akitu One](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/akitu-one-profile/) **4.9** ([41 reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/akitu-one-profile/reviews/)) Average score: 75/100 Average Score: 75/100 Pros: user-friendly interface and navigation excellent training and onboarding Cons: cost and pricing structure feature limitations compared to competitors Pricing: Pricing available upon request Why we chose this: Of the products listed on our FrontRunners report, Akitu One is the most requested by users in hospital & health care out of the most popular tools. Who should use this: Akitu One is most used by hospital and health care providers looking for a modern, cloud-based dental management system. Our reviewers say it streamlines scheduling, billing, and charting, offers extensive customization, and provides responsive support, making daily operations more efficient for clinics of all sizes. - Reviewers Perspective "Managing schedules for multiple providers is streamlined, I can add multiple deposits at once and keep track of any outstanding collections easily, no need to hire additional support staff to keep track of daily clinical tasks." RD Rachal Davidson Office Manager Used for 6-12 months We analyzed 41 verified user reviews for Akitu One to find out what actual users really think. - Key Features Akitu One's score Category average Appointment Management 4.81 4.56 category average HIPAA Compliant 4.90 4.85 category average Patient Records Management 4.91 4.46 category average - Screenshots ### Methodology The research for the best dental software list was conducted in March 2026. We evaluated data (user reviews and demand signals) from the past 24 months as of the research date. [Read the complete methodology.](https://www.softwareadvice.com/legal-page/frontrunners-methodology/) * * * ## Popular Dental Comparisons [ Acuity Scheduling vs Weave ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/compare/116391-acuity/vs/158992-Weave/)[ CareStack vs Dentrix ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/carestack-profile/vs/dentrix/)[ Practice-Web vs Curve Dental ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/curve-dental-profile/vs/practice-web/)[ ABELDent vs Adit ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/abeldent-profile/vs/adit/)[ Emitrr vs Doctible ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/doctible-profile/vs/emitrr/)[ Denticon vs Dentrix Ascend ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental-charting/denticon-profile/vs/dentrix-ascend/) Dental offices deal with a high volume of patient information—both clinical and administrative. The dentists and office managers we talk to most often are looking for ways to improve access to that information and for better efficiency in documenting and managing it. Watch the video below to see dental software functions and benefits in action. Common applications and modules of dental software include: - Electronic Health Records (EHR) - Digital sensor/imaging - Billing - Electronic claims - Coding - Reporting Here's what we'll cover: [What you need to know about dental software](#Whatyouneedtoknowaboutdentalsoftware) [What is dental practice management software?](#Whatisdentalpracticemanagementsoftware) [Essential features of dental practice management software](#Essentialfeaturesofdentalpracticemanagementsoftware) [How to choose the best dental software for your business](#Howtochoosethebestdentalsoftwareforyourbusiness) [ARRA meaningful use for dentists](#ARRAmeaningfulusefordentists) [Popular dental software comparisons](#Populardentalsoftwarecomparisons) ## What you need to know about dental software Dental software include common medical systems, such as electronic health records (EHR) or practice management suites, that are specifically designed for use by dental professionals. While these products generally include the same functionality as non-specialty-specific products, they should also include tools unique to dentistry, such as imaging and dental codes for billing.  Dental software is used by various professionals and organizations within the dental care industry to streamline operations, improve patient care, and enhance administrative efficiency. Key users include: - **Dentists:** General dentists and specialists (such as orthodontists, periodontists, endodontists, and oral surgeons) use dental software to manage patient records, treatment plans, and clinical notes. - **Dental hygienists and assistants**: These professionals use the software to document patient care, schedule appointments, and assist with treatment planning and patient education. - **Practice managers and administrative staff:** Office managers and administrative personnel use dental software for appointment scheduling, billing, insurance claims processing, patient communication, and overall practice management. The market for dental software is relatively large—for example, we have 173 profiles for individual products on our site, and we’ve published 942 verified user reviews for these products in the past year. \[2\]  Dental software is typically priced either through a subscription fee (monthly or annually) or a one-time perpetual license fee, with the pricing model often corresponding to the deployment method—on-premise or cloud-based. On-premise software usually follows the perpetual license model, while cloud-based software generally uses a subscription model; the choice between these depends on whether you prefer a larger upfront cost or smaller recurring payments. Read on for more information about dental software, and when you’re ready, contact our team of medical software advisors for personalized recommendations based on your specific requirements.  ## What is dental practice management software? Dentists have a unique challenge in the medical community. Most appointments are scheduled several months ahead of time and require coordinating patient schedules and information with two different types of practitioners: dentist and hygienist. Often, routine visits turn into more in-depth procedures, and the ability to manage these changes and the associated information can have a big impact on the time spent caring for your patient, and the quality of care you provide. These challenges make it more important to use dental software that manages patient data, images, and practice information. Although the terms dental electronic medical records (EMR), dental electronic health records (EHR) and electronic dental records (EDR) can have different meanings, the terms are often used interchangeably. While there may be nuanced differences, generally all three terms refer to software that manages the charting and management of a patient's clinical information. As a rule, effective dental office software will have templates specifically designed for dental practices; tooth and gum graphics; and an ability to import and organize X-rays. They’ll also have features to deal with patient scheduling, billing, and coding support, patient education modules, and often a web portal for patients, all of which maximize the efficiency of the front and back office staff. Among the 118 calls with dental providers that took place in the past two years, e-prescribing was the number one application requirement, with 87% specifically requesting this feature in their dental software. \[1\]  According to our medical advisor Cassie Kalisz, who helps software buyers find the right systems, one consideration for dental software buyers that is unique when evaluating software has to do with the ease of transition between different charting systems: “Buyers typically have a high volume of patient history, and they want to make sure that it integrate\[s\] into a new system. So that's something that's commonly brought up—making sure no information is left out.” Another niche requirement for dental providers has to do with a system’s ability to handle digital imaging; depending on the buyers, systems either need to integrate flawlessly with the practice’s existing imaging tools, or they need to come up with their own native imaging tools that meet the buyer’s needs. Our advisor, Bryan Markovich, explains that “Buyers tend to focus on digital imaging systems because a lot of times they come through with their own equipment in place already, but then some \[software\] vendors require buyers to purchase that equipment or use third party equipment.” Dental Imaging in Eaglesoft ([Source](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/patterson-dental-eaglesoft-profile/) ## Essential features of dental practice management software One common problem dental software buyers are trying to solve when purchasing these systems is having to do things manually. Advisor Cassie explains that, in her experience, many buyers need software to automate processes: “A lot of the buyers that I speak to, whether it’s on the admin side or even just with patient history, they’re doing the work manually.” Bryan adds that, for startup practices, knowing what type of software or features they need isn’t always obvious: “Often we deal with startup dental companies, and they’re not exactly sure what they’re looking for. So a lot of times, that’s why our service comes in handy—because we can help guide them in the right direction.” As you search for dental practice management software, keep in mind that some features will be “core” and should be found in all of these systems, while others are more “common” and may not be included in every product on the market. ### Core dental software features **Feature** **Description** Dentistry-specific templates Text-based templates should be present for all common procedures, and the EDR should let you add a template quickly in the event of an emergency procedure. Commonly used templates might include routine exams, fillings, root canals, crowns, tooth extractions, or any number of customizable templates. Scheduling Look for something that simplifies scheduling by coordinating dentist, hygienist, and patient schedules and that doesn’t require back office staff to fast-forward through six calendar months every time they need to book a patient out. 86% of reviewers on our site rate this feature as critical or highly important. ### Common dental software features **Feature** **Description** Charting Manage patient documentation describing all clinical interactions, diagnoses, procedures, medications, etc. 82% of reviewers on our site rate this feature as critical or highly important. Graphical tooth charting Dentist software should have a simple graphical depiction of each tooth and gum that makes it easy to identify caries, fillings, veneers, crowns, missing teeth, gum problems, and any other relevant issues. Any changes made to text-based templates should be reflected in the graphical tooth chart, and vice versa. [Dental imaging](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/imaging-comparison/) The idea here is to import X-rays and other digital images, immediately connect them to the patient, and present them in a way that makes sense to the dentist (i.e., in the same order as the graphical tooth chart). Often, dental imaging software programs also offer advanced features like measuring a tooth or identifying a particular region of interest. Although standalone imaging software does exist, combining it with the EDR software facilitates integration, which is why most vendors offer both capabilities as a combined unit. Dental billing and insurance Dental billing software helps the practice in maximizing revenues through effective coding support, which simplifies billing as much as possible. As part of a dental EMR, it will likely include only those codes needed or used by dentists and can help group procedures that commonly occur together. Patient portal Allows patients to fill out their dental history, change their contact information or even receive or send bills, X-rays and other documents from the comfort of their home, saving practice time and improving office efficiency. Charts in Curve Dental ([Source](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/curve-dental-profile/) ## How to choose the best dental software for your business ### What is the cost of dental software? Although exceptions exist, dental software is typically priced in one of two ways: a subscription fee paid every month or year or a perpetual license fee paid once up front. Pricing model tends to correspond with how the software is deployed: on-premise or in the cloud. On-premise deployment means the software is installed on your own local servers. Cloud-based deployment, on the other hand, means the software is hosted online, or "in the cloud." You use an Internet connection to access the software via web browser. Traditionally, on-premise deployments are priced using the perpetual license model. However, today you'll find more and more on-premise products offering subscription pricing models. Cloud-based software is generally priced using a subscription model, wherein users pay a monthly or annual fee per user. Perpetual license pricing comes with a steeper price tag up front, but low recurring monthly or annual costs (e.g., for maintenance or support). Subscription pricing, on the other hand, has a lower up-front investment, but relatively higher recurring costs, since you're paying the subscription fees each month or year. The costs of on-premise and subscription models tend to converge over time, so the pricing model you choose depends largely on whether you prefer one large fee up front, or smaller fees broken out over time. ## ARRA meaningful use for dentists Many dentists looking for dental management software want to know if they’re eligible for the financial incentives provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Although the Medicare incentives generally do not apply (since Medicare doesn’t cover most dental procedures), dentists whose patient volume includes at least 30 percent of Medicaid users can receive the Medicaid incentive, provided they adopt a certified electronic health record (EHR) product. Since there currently are no certification standards for EDRs, a dentist looking to meet these requirements would have to adopt a dental EHR, which could then interface with a dedicated EDR if that’s your preferred tool. Although this may seem cumbersome, the best dental software programs have been designed to integrate with EHRs specifically to fulfill this need, and it could qualify you for almost $70,000 in incentives over six years. ## Popular dental software comparisons - [tab32 vs Denticon](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental-charting/denticon-profile/vs/tab32/) - [Solutionreach vs ClearDent](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/cleardent-profile/vs/solutionreach-dental/) - [Eaglesoft vs tab32](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/patterson-dental-eaglesoft-profile/vs/tab32/) Note: The applications selected in this article are examples to show a feature in context and are not intended as endorsements or recommendations. They have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the time of publication. * * * ### About our contributors #### Author [Lisa Morris](https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/author/lisa-morris/) is an associate principal analyst at Software Advice, covering the healthcare and medical industry, with a focus on technologies impacting independent practices and mental healthcare, such as electronic medical records and practice management tools. Lisa’s research and analysis is informed by more than 15,000 authentic user reviews on Software Advice and over 20,000 interactions between Software Advice software advisors and medical software buyers. Lisa also regularly analyzes market sentiment by conducting surveys of medical practitioners and administrators so she can provide the most up-to-date and helpful information to small and midsize businesses purchasing software or services. She presented her research on medical wearable devices at the 2022 Sensors Summit in La Jolla, California, and also appeared on the Health Innovation Matters podcast with Logan Plaster. Her work has been featured in multiple publications, including Becker’s Hospital Review, Healthcare IT News, and AP News. #### Editor [Caroline Rousseau](https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/author/caroline-rousseau/) is a senior content editor at Software Advice. A former content analyst, Caroline has, for the past five years, built, written, and edited research reports about technological trends, opportunities, and challenges with an SMB audience in mind. Her content has been featured in French Tier 1 media including Le Monde, L’Express, and Le Figaro, among other publications. Her previous experience as a graphic designer, translator, and LQA specialist in various industries converged into a skill set that allows her to create compelling content about today’s business matters. Caroline’s personal interests include literature and art and she has a passion for Albert Camus, graphic novels, and drawing. #### Advisors **Cassie Kalisz** is a software advisor. She joined Software Advice in 2024 and she is based in Austin, TX. As part of the software advisor team, Cassie helps retail, fleet management, and dental professionals who are seeking ecommerce, maintenance management, and billing software. She provides a short list of personalized technology recommendations based on budget, business goals, and other specific needs.  Cassie’s favorite part of being a software advisor is assisting buyers in solving problems they may not have been aware of beforehand. **Bryan Markovich** is a software advisor. He joined Software Advice in 2024, and he is based in Fort Myers, FL. Bryan works directly with small business leaders to connect them with best fit software providers. He assesses the technology needs of small businesses seeking property management, retail, ecommerce, and fleet management software through one-to-one conversations and provides a short list of potential matches.  Bryan’s favorite part of being a software advisor is providing buyers with a sense of direction. He enjoys acting as a helping hand when buyers are not sure of which software they need. * * * ### Sources 1. **Software Advice advisor call notes:** Findings are based on data from telephonic conversations that Software Advice’s advisor team had with small-to-midsize businesses seeking e-prescribing tools. For this report, we analyzed phone interactions from January 3, 2024, to January 3, 2025. [Read the complete methodology](https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/buyers-guide-methodologies/).  2. **Software Advice reviews data:** Software Advice reviews are collected from verified users for individual software products. For this report, we analyzed reviews from the past year as of the production date. [Read the complete methodology](https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/buyers-guide-methodologies/). ## Dental FAQs - What is the most popular dental software? According to our analysis of user reviews, [Practice-Web](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/practice-web-profile/) is rated the Best Overall dental software among popular products. [Dentrix](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/dentrix-profile/)) is rated the Best for Small Businesses with up to 25 providers, and [Eaglesoft](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/patterson-dental-eaglesoft-profile/) is rated the Best for General Dentistry. - What is dental practice management software? Dental practice management software is a system made to manage the administrative and clinical operations of dental practices. It lets users handle patient records, appointment scheduling, billing, insurance claims, and treatment planning, all in one system. By integrating these features, practice management software makes dental practices run more smoothly. - What are the three levels of dental practice management software? Generally, pricing models for dental software are split into three levels: basic, mid, and advanced, each providing more features as you go. Basic dental software includes essential administrative and clinical tools like appointment scheduling; mid-level tiers include features like treatment planning and digital imaging integrations; and advanced levels include all features such as EHR integrations and multi-location support. - What software does a dentist use? Dentists use various tools, such as practice management software to handle administrative tasks, EHRs to manage secure patient records, and specialty-specific tools to handle things like imaging or 3D printing. According to our user data, [Eaglesoft](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/patterson-dental-eaglesoft-profile/) is rated the Best for General Dentistry among popular products. - What is dental software used for? Dental software is used to make running dental practices more efficient by managing patient records, scheduling appointments, processing billing and insurance claims, and facilitating treatment planning. It combines features to handle both clinical and administrative tasks, improves patient communication, supports digital imaging, and ensures compliance with healthcare regulations, ultimately improving overall patient care and practice management. ## Related Dental Software - [Claims Processing Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/category/4761-claims-processing/) - [Commercial Insurance Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/category/4760-commercial-insurance/) - [Dental Charting Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental-charting/) - [Electronic Medical Records Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/electronic-medical-record-software-comparison/) - [Insurance Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/insurance/) - [Insurance Policy Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/insurance/policy-comparison/) - [Insurance Rating Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/insurance/insurance-rating-comparison/) - [Medical Billing Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/medical-billing-software-comparison/) - [P&C Insurance Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/p&c-insurance/)