Open Dental

Open Dental is a full dental practice management system for general and specialist dental offices, dental groups and dental schools, covering scheduling, charting, treatment plans, insurance and billing. It is shareware (conditionally free): the Open Dental free download is a trial version for evaluation, and running a live practice on it requires a paid registration with the developer. This page explains what the trial includes, the system requirements and the realistic options for Mac users.

Open Dental Software started the product as open source under the GPL, but since version 24.4 the licence is proprietary. The developer states that database access and documentation stayed the same, so practices can still query and export their own data.

Open Dental at a glance

What it does

• Appointments module with operatory schedules, provider colours, recalls and appointment confirmations.
• Chart module with graphical tooth chart, progress notes, periodontal charting and orthodontic graphics.
• Treatment plans that combine procedures, fees and insurance estimates for the patient.
• Family and Account modules: insurance plans and benefits, claims, payments, statements and payment plans.
• Imaging module for storing and annotating radiographs and photos, plus program links (bridges) to many imaging systems.
• eServices and eClipboard for online scheduling, reminders, patient forms and check-in (not available in the trial).
• ODTouch app, intra-office chat, reports and a documented MySQL/MariaDB database for custom queries.
• Features for dental schools, such as student and instructor workflows.

How dental teams use it

Evaluate with the demo database

Install the trial on a test computer and connect to the “demo” database, which contains fictional patients and providers. Walk through a typical day: book an appointment, chart existing restorations, create a treatment plan and post a completed procedure to the account.

Set up a new office

Use the blank “opendental” database for configuration: add providers, operatories, fee schedules, insurance carriers and your appointment types. The trial is also described by the developer as the first step when installing the full version, so setup work done on it can carry over.

Chart and plan treatment

In the Chart module, select teeth and surfaces, pick the procedure and mark it as existing, treatment-planned or complete. Treatment-planned items flow into the Treatment Plan module, where you can print or present options with insurance estimates.

Learn the system

The official online manual, webinars and training videos cover everything from installing the trial to sending claims and merging duplicate patients. Start with the Appointments and Chart modules, which front-desk and clinical staff use daily.

Install and first run

• Server install: run the trial installer as administrator; it installs the program, MariaDB, the database and the OpenDentImages folder. Keep the database on a local path (for example C:mysqldata).
• Workstations: install only the program and point it to the server; share the OpenDentImages folder and set its network (UNC) path under Setup, Data Paths.
• Requirements: Windows 11 (not Windows 11 S) or Windows Server 2016–2025; Windows 10 support ended on 14 October 2025. 4–8 GB RAM recommended, minimum screen resolution 1280 x 768, and a fast internet connection.
• Gotchas: make sure MySQL or MariaDB is not already installed; Windows SmartScreen may warn on first run; in Canada set Windows region settings to Canada before installing; set a MySQL password and store it safely.

Limitations

• Not free for live use: the trial blank database is limited to 30 patients and does not work with the API or eServices.
• The trial does not include copyrighted CDT codes or ADA claim forms; temporary codes are used until registration.
• The Open Dental program does not run natively on macOS or Linux.
• Open Dental Cloud is US-only, in limited release and has some limits on third-party integrations.
• The source code is no longer open, so the old GPL advantages no longer apply to current versions.

Open Dental vs alternatives

Compared with commercial systems such as Dentrix and Eaglesoft, Open Dental is known for its openly documented database. Free options are far more limited: OpenMolar is open source but mothballed and built for one UK practice, and GNU Health offers a basic odontogram inside a hospital system. General EHRs like OpenEMR have no dental chart at all.

FAQ

Is there an Open Dental free download?

Yes, the installer is a free download: it installs the trial version for evaluation. Using Open Dental with real patients requires a paid registration, so it is shareware (conditionally free), not free software.

What is included in the Open Dental free trial?

A blank database limited to 30 patients and a demo database with fictional patients. CDT codes, the API and eServices are not included.

Is there Open Dental for Mac?

The program cannot run on macOS. Mac users run Windows in a virtual machine such as Parallels, or use Boot Camp on Intel Macs; the database server itself can run on Linux or macOS.

Is Open Dental cloud based?

The standard product is installed locally on Windows. Open Dental Cloud is a hosted version managed by the developer, available only to US customers and in limited release.

Does Open Dental run on Windows 11?

Yes. Windows 11 and Windows Server 2016–2025 are supported; Windows 10 support ended on 14 October 2025, and Windows 11 S is not supported.

Where can I find an Open Dental software tutorial?

The official online manual, webinars and training videos on opendental.com are the best source, including a webinar on installing the trial version.

Open Dental vs Dentrix: which is better?

Both are complete dental practice systems. Open Dental stands out for open database access and documentation; Dentrix is Henry Schein’s commercial product. Compare them with your own workflows using each vendor’s demo.

Is Open Dental still open source?

No. Since version 24.4 the licence is proprietary, although the developer says database access remains unchanged.

Last checked against official sources: 26 September 2026 (developer website: opendental.com). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in a clinic.