Open Dental is the anti-lock-in dental PMS. Open-source code, transparent pricing ($179/month, drops to $129 after year one), no opaque enterprise contracts, and a database you actually own. For dental practices tired of the Henry Schein ecosystem and Patterson lock-in, Open Dental is the most compelling alternative. But even the most flexible, affordable PMS in dentistry does not include SEO, voice AI, or reputation management. Growth requires a different engine.
TL;DR
Open Dental is the best-value dental PMS — and we mean that genuinely. Transparent pricing, open source, no vendor lock-in. The Webevo platform integrates natively with Open Dental to add the growth engine: SEO, voice AI, reputation, and CRM.
What Open Dental Actually Does Well
Open Dental deserves more recognition than it gets. Here is why we recommend it to practices considering a PMS switch.
Transparent Pricing: $179/month per location for year one, $129/month after. No opaque enterprise quotes, no surprise per-user fees, no "call for pricing" games. The cloud option at $430/month eliminates server management entirely. This pricing transparency is unique in dental software.
True Open Source: Practices get access to the source code, database schema, and APIs. Custom reports, integrations, and workflow modifications do not require vendor approval or custom development fees. A practice with technical resources can extend Open Dental in ways that proprietary systems like Dentrix and Eaglesoft simply do not allow.
eServices Suite: Web Sched (online scheduling for recall, ASAP, and new patients), eClipboard (digital intake forms on tablets), automated messaging, integrated texting, patient portal, and ODMobile. These are included in the subscription, not add-on fees — unlike competitors that charge separately for each communication channel.
No Vendor Lock-In: You own your data. You can export it. You can switch at any time. Compare this to proprietary systems where data migration costs $3,000-$10,000+ and vendor contracts include termination penalties.
Open Source Does Not Mean Open Growth
Open Dental's openness is a clinical and operational advantage. But even the most customizable PMS in the world does not:
- Rank your practice for "emergency dentist near me" on Google
- Answer the phone at 6:30 PM when a patient calls with a toothache
- Request reviews at the exact moment of peak patient satisfaction
- Run Google Ads targeting "dental implants [your city]"
- Generate blog content about procedures that drives organic search traffic
| Function | Open Dental | Webevo Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical charting | ✅ Graphical tooth charting | ❌ Not our lane |
| Insurance billing | ✅ 20+ clearinghouses | ❌ Not our lane |
| Online scheduling | ✅ Web Sched included | ✅ AI-powered booking |
| Patient messaging | ✅ Automated reminders + texting | ✅ Multi-channel |
| SEO + local search | ❌ | ✅ 9-module AI audit |
| Voice AI receptionist | ❌ | ✅ 24/7 with live booking |
| Reputation management | ⚠️ Basic review collection | ✅ AI-timed reviews + responses |
| Content marketing | ❌ | ✅ AI-generated content |
| Ad campaigns | ❌ | ✅ Google + Meta |
| CRM pipeline | ❌ | ✅ Dental-specific |
Open Dental + Webevo = The No-Lock-In Growth Stack: Open Dental gives you transparent PMS pricing with zero vendor lock-in. The Webevo platform gives you transparent growth marketing. Together, you get the most cost-effective, open dental technology stack available — clinical management at $129-$179/month + growth marketing at a fraction of what agencies charge.
Who Should Use What
Keep Open Dental alone if:
- Your patient panel is full and growth is not a priority
- You have strong referral networks that keep your schedule at capacity
- Your current online presence generates sufficient new patient inquiries
Add the Webevo platform if:
- You chose Open Dental for its transparency — extend that philosophy to marketing
- You need SEO, voice AI, and reputation management alongside your PMS
- Your competitors outrank you on Google despite having an inferior clinical setup
- You want the most cost-effective complete dental technology stack
Run your free WebEvo audit now →
For related reading, see our Open Dental integration guide, Dentrix comparison, and Eaglesoft comparison.
