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FreeMED

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FreeMED — Open-Source EMR Adaptable for Dentistry FreeMED has been around for a long time in the open-source healthcare space. It was never meant to be a polished, out-of-the-box commercial product — instead, it’s a framework that clinics can shape to their own needs. The system runs on a web server and delivers medical records through a browser, which means it works across different operating systems without special client software. While the core modules are aimed at general medicine, many tea

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FreeMED — Open-Source EMR Adaptable for Dentistry

FreeMED has been around for a long time in the open-source healthcare space. It was never meant to be a polished, out-of-the-box commercial product — instead, it’s a framework that clinics can shape to their own needs. The system runs on a web server and delivers medical records through a browser, which means it works across different operating systems without special client software. While the core modules are aimed at general medicine, many teams extend it for dental records, adding treatment notes, charting, and links to imaging data.

Technical Profile

Area	Details
Platforms	Server on Linux; users connect through a web browser (Windows, macOS, Linux workstations)
Architecture	LAMP/LEMP stack (Apache/Nginx, PHP, MySQL/PostgreSQL)
Functions	Patient records, appointments, billing, prescriptions, reporting
Dental use	Basic charting and treatment history; customizable with extra modules
Deployment	Central server installation; thin clients in browser
Performance	Scales with hardware and database tuning; used in both small and multi-site setups
License	GPL, open-source, community maintained
Audience	Clinics, teaching hospitals, academic research projects

Comparison Snapshot

Tool	Key Points	Best Fit
FreeMED	Web-based, open-source, highly adaptable	Clinics that want to customize EMR with dental modules
Chikitsa	Lightweight, easier to set up, less flexible	Small dental or GP offices
Oscar EMR	Strong community in universities and research hospitals	Academic healthcare environments

Installation Notes

– Server side: usually installed on Linux with Apache or Nginx, PHP, and a SQL database.
– Client side: no installation needed, users log in through a browser.
– After setup, administrators configure users, roles, and enable or adjust modules — this is where dental features can be switched on or extended.

How It’s Used

– In a general clinic, FreeMED handles appointments, billing, and prescriptions.
– In dental practices, it tracks patient visits, notes procedures in a simple chart, and can store references to images.
– In universities, IT teams modify it to support teaching clinics where both medical and dental care are provided.
– For research projects, its open nature allows adding custom modules or exporting structured datasets.

Deployment Notes

– Since it’s browser-based, updates only happen on the server. Workstations need no local installs, which is a plus for IT staff.
– Security must be taken seriously: SSL, backups, and role-based access control are essential.
– Flexibility is the main attraction — forms, reports, and workflows can be adapted to match local regulations or academic requirements.

Limitations

– The interface is dated and feels different from modern commercial EMRs.
– Proper setup requires IT expertise, which smaller practices may lack.
– Out-of-the-box dental support is limited — customization is almost always needed.

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