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Chikitsa

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Based on 23k Reviews

Chikitsa — Simple Practice Management for Small Clinics Chikitsa is an open-source practice management system that keeps things straightforward. It was built for small healthcare providers, but dental clinics often find it useful because of its light footprint and built-in patient modules. Unlike heavy EMR suites, it doesn’t try to cover everything — instead, it handles the basics: patients, appointments, billing, and treatment notes. For a dental office that just wants to keep records tidy with

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Chikitsa — Simple Practice Management for Small Clinics

Chikitsa is an open-source practice management system that keeps things straightforward. It was built for small healthcare providers, but dental clinics often find it useful because of its light footprint and built-in patient modules. Unlike heavy EMR suites, it doesn’t try to cover everything — instead, it handles the basics: patients, appointments, billing, and treatment notes. For a dental office that just wants to keep records tidy without investing in a large commercial package, this approach works.

Technical Profile

Area	Details
Platforms	Linux server backend; access from any browser (Windows, macOS, Linux clients)
Stack	PHP and MySQL on a standard LAMP setup
Core functions	Registration, scheduling, billing, prescriptions, treatment notes
Dental features	Charting, procedure history, modules that can be adjusted for dental workflows
Deployment	Runs on a local server or hosted in the cloud; no client installs needed
Performance	Lightweight, runs on modest hardware, scales reasonably for small teams
License	GPL, open-source
Users	Dental clinics, private practices, training clinics

Comparison Snapshot

Tool	What Stands Out	Best Fit
Chikitsa	Lightweight, quick to install, community supported	Dental offices, solo practices, small group clinics
FreeMED	Broader EMR, more configurable modules	Clinics needing customization and integration
Oscar EMR	Backed by academic community	Teaching hospitals, research environments

Installation Notes

– On the server, it needs Linux with Apache, PHP, and MySQL.
– Clients connect through a web browser — nothing to install locally.
– Setup usually starts with entering clinic info, adding users, and turning on the dental charting module.

How It’s Used

– In dental clinics, staff use it to book visits, record procedures, and issue bills.
– In small medical offices, it covers prescriptions and basic record-keeping.
– In teaching clinics, the focus is on simplicity — students can log treatments without dealing with a heavy EMR.
– Some community health centers use it as a low-cost alternative to commercial software.

Deployment Notes

– Works well both on a small in-house server and on a hosted VPS for remote access.
– Needs proper SSL and database backups for safe operation.
– Because it’s lightweight, IT staff can set it up quickly and keep maintenance minimal.

Limitations

– Not built for big hospitals or multi-branch organizations.
– Interface looks plain compared to modern commercial tools.
– Dental features cover the essentials, but advanced practices may want to extend them.

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