Best CRM Software for Dental Practices
Find the right patient management and marketing platform for your dental practice
We compared the top CRM and practice management platforms for dentists based on patient scheduling, communication tools, marketing automation, and overall value. Whether you need full clinical software or focused patient acquisition tools, this guide will help you make the right choice.
Why Dental Practices Need Specialized CRM Software
Running a successful dental practice in 2025 requires more than clinical excellence. With patients researching providers online and expecting instant communication, you need software that handles both practice management and patient acquisition. The right CRM can transform your operations, filling your schedule with quality patients while streamlining administrative tasks.
Traditional dental practice management software like Dentrix and Eaglesoft excel at clinical documentation and insurance processing but lack modern marketing capabilities. Meanwhile, newer platforms focus on patient acquisition but cannot handle treatment planning or billing. Understanding your priorities helps you choose the right solution or combination of tools.
Key Features to Look For in Dental Software
When evaluating CRM and practice management software for your dental practice, prioritize these capabilities:
- Patient Scheduling & Reminders: Efficient appointment booking with automated confirmations to reduce no-shows.
- Treatment Plan Management: Create and present treatment plans with clear cost breakdowns for patient acceptance.
- Insurance Verification: Real-time eligibility checks and streamlined claims processing for faster payments.
- Patient Communication: Two-way SMS and email to confirm appointments, send recalls, and answer questions.
- Online Booking: Let patients schedule appointments directly from your website 24/7.
- Review Management: Build your online reputation with automated review requests and monitoring.
Beyond these core features, growing practices benefit from integrated marketing tools. The best modern platforms combine patient management with website builders, local SEO optimization, and automated lead follow-up to help you not just manage existing patients but consistently attract new ones.
Compare the Top Options
We've evaluated each platform based on features, pricing, ease of use, and suitability for Dental businesses.
FlashCrafter
All-in-one website builder, CRM, and local SEO platform designed for dental practices. Get found online and convert more patients with AI-powered automation and GoHighLevel integration.
Starting at
$50/mo (DIY) or $500/mo (Agency)
Best For
Dental practices who want a complete marketing and patient acquisition solution without juggling multiple tools
Pros
- Website + CRM + SEO in one platform eliminates tool sprawl
- AI-powered patient inquiry follow-up and appointment booking
- Built-in local SEO with Google Business Profile optimization
Cons
- Newer platform compared to legacy dental software
- No native dental charting or clinical features (focuses on marketing/patient acquisition)
Dentrix
Industry-leading dental practice management software with comprehensive clinical, administrative, and business features. The most widely used system in North America.
Starting at
$400-600+/mo
Best For
Established practices needing full clinical management with extensive insurance processing
Pros
- Comprehensive clinical charting and treatment planning
- Deep insurance verification and claims management
- Extensive reporting and analytics
Cons
- Expensive with per-workstation licensing
- Dated user interface
Open Dental
Open-source dental practice management software with no monthly fees. Highly customizable with active community development and low total cost of ownership.
Starting at
$169 one-time + support
Best For
Tech-savvy practices wanting low-cost, customizable software with full ownership
Pros
- No monthly licensing fees after purchase
- Fully customizable and open source
- Strong charting and treatment planning
Cons
- Requires technical setup and maintenance
- Self-hosted means IT responsibility
Curve Dental
Cloud-based dental practice management with modern interface and anywhere access. Designed for practices wanting to eliminate server maintenance.
Starting at
$350-500/mo
Best For
Practices wanting hassle-free cloud software with modern interface and anywhere access
Pros
- True cloud-based with no server maintenance
- Modern, intuitive user interface
- Automatic updates and backups
Cons
- Monthly subscription adds up over time
- Internet dependency for all functions
Eaglesoft
Patterson Dental's practice management solution with integrated imaging and comprehensive features. Popular choice for Patterson equipment users.
Starting at
$400-550+/mo
Best For
Practices already invested in Patterson equipment wanting seamless integration
Pros
- Tight integration with Patterson imaging equipment
- Comprehensive clinical documentation
- Strong appointment scheduling
Cons
- Best value when using Patterson equipment
- Traditional server-based architecture
In-Depth Reviews
FlashCrafter: The Growth-Focused Platform
FlashCrafter takes a different approach than traditional dental practice management software. Instead of trying to replace your clinical tools, it focuses on helping you consistently attract and convert new patients while providing the CRM functionality you need to manage patient relationships.
Built on the powerful GoHighLevel platform, FlashCrafter combines a professional dental website builder, comprehensive patient CRM, and advanced local SEO tools into one integrated package. This means you get the benefits of multiple expensive marketing tools without the complexity of managing integrations.
For dental practices, the AI-powered lead follow-up is transformative. When a potential patient fills out your contact form at 10 PM asking about teeth whitening, FlashCrafter automatically responds, answers common questions, and can book a consultation on your calendar. No more losing patients to competitors who respond faster.
At $50 per month for DIY or $500 per month with full agency support, FlashCrafter delivers exceptional value for practices focused on growth. The website alone would cost thousands through a dental marketing agency, and the local SEO tools can replace expensive marketing retainers.
Dentrix: The Industry Standard
Dentrix by Henry Schein is the most widely used dental practice management software in North America. With decades of development, it offers comprehensive clinical, administrative, and business management features that cover virtually every aspect of practice operations.
The platform excels at clinical documentation, treatment planning, and insurance processing. The charting tools are robust, the reporting is extensive, and the ecosystem of integrations with imaging systems and other dental software is unmatched. For established practices with complex insurance workflows, Dentrix remains a solid choice.
However, Dentrix shows its age in several areas. The interface feels dated compared to modern cloud software, and meaningful marketing automation requires expensive add-ons. The per-workstation licensing model means costs scale quickly with practice size. Patient communication features require additional modules, adding to the total cost of ownership.
Open Dental: The Budget-Friendly Powerhouse
Open Dental offers a compelling alternative to expensive proprietary software. With a one-time license fee of $169 and optional monthly support, the total cost of ownership is dramatically lower than subscription-based competitors over time.
The platform is surprisingly capable, with strong charting, treatment planning, and insurance features that rival more expensive options. Being open source means active community development, frequent updates, and the ability to customize the software to your specific needs.
The tradeoffs are primarily around setup and maintenance. Open Dental is self-hosted, meaning you need to manage your own server infrastructure or pay for hosting. The learning curve is steeper than cloud alternatives, and you will need some technical comfort to take full advantage of the customization options. Marketing features are minimal, so you will need separate tools for patient acquisition.
Curve Dental: Cloud-Native Simplicity
Curve Dental was built from the ground up as cloud software, and it shows in the modern interface and seamless anywhere access. If eliminating server maintenance and enabling remote access are priorities, Curve delivers a polished experience.
The platform handles core practice management well, including scheduling, charting, and billing. The patient communication tools are better integrated than legacy competitors, with built-in appointment reminders and basic recall functionality. The interface is intuitive and requires less training than traditional dental software.
The monthly subscription of $350-500 adds up over time compared to owned software. Being fully cloud-dependent means internet outages can disrupt operations. Marketing automation is limited, and you will still need external tools for meaningful patient acquisition campaigns.
Eaglesoft: Patterson Dental's Solution
Eaglesoft from Patterson Dental offers tight integration with Patterson imaging equipment and supplies, making it an obvious choice for practices already invested in the Patterson ecosystem. The clinical documentation and scheduling features are comprehensive and reliable.
The platform provides solid reporting capabilities and dependable support from Patterson. Integration with Patterson imaging systems is seamless, and the appointment scheduling handles complex operatory management well.
Like Dentrix, Eaglesoft uses traditional server-based architecture that requires IT maintenance. The interface feels dated compared to cloud options, and patient marketing features are minimal. Practices not already using Patterson equipment may find better value elsewhere, as much of the integration benefit is lost.
Feature Comparison
See how each platform stacks up across key features.
| Feature | RecommendedFlashCrafter | Dentrix | Open Dental | Curve Dental | Eaglesoft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patient Scheduling & Reminders Appointment booking with automated SMS/email reminders | |||||
Treatment Plan Management Create, present, and track treatment plans with costs | |||||
Insurance Verification & Billing Verify eligibility and process insurance claims | |||||
Patient Communication (SMS/Email) Two-way messaging with patients for appointments and follow-ups | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | ||
Online Booking Patient self-service appointment scheduling from website | Add-on | Add-on | Add-on | ||
Review Management Request, monitor, and respond to patient reviews | |||||
Marketing Automation Automated campaigns for recalls, promotions, and reactivation | Limited | ||||
Website Builder Built-in professional website creation for the practice | |||||
Local SEO Tools Google Business Profile optimization and local search visibility | |||||
AI Lead Follow-up Automated AI-powered patient inquiry response and nurturing | |||||
Clinical Charting Dental charting, perio charts, and clinical documentation | |||||
Cloud-Based Access Access from any device without server maintenance | Add-on | Self-host | |||
No Per-User Fees Unlimited users without extra charges | |||||
Google Ads Integration Campaign management and patient acquisition tracking |
Pricing Breakdown
Understanding the true cost of dental software requires looking beyond the base price. Here is what you can expect to pay.
Patient Acquisition Focus ($50-500/mo)
FlashCrafter provides website, CRM, and SEO tools for practices prioritizing new patient growth. Works alongside existing clinical software.
Budget Clinical ($169 one-time)
Open Dental offers comprehensive clinical features without ongoing license fees. Best for tech-comfortable practices.
Cloud Practice Management ($350-500/mo)
Curve Dental provides modern cloud access with no server maintenance. Good for practices wanting simplicity.
Enterprise Clinical ($400-600+/mo)
Dentrix and Eaglesoft deliver comprehensive clinical features but costs add up with per-workstation licensing and add-ons.
Choose based on your primary goal: patient acquisition or clinical management
Frequently Asked Questions
Can FlashCrafter replace my dental practice management software?
FlashCrafter is designed to complement, not replace, clinical dental software. It focuses on patient acquisition, communication, and marketing while platforms like Dentrix handle charting, treatment planning, and insurance. Many successful practices use both together.
What is the difference between the DIY and Agency plans?
The DIY plan at $50/month gives you full access to the platform with self-service setup. The Agency plan at $500/month includes done-for-you website design, content creation, SEO optimization, and ongoing campaign management by our team.
How long does it take to switch dental software?
Migration time varies by platform. Open Dental can be set up in days but requires data migration. Dentrix and Eaglesoft typically require 1-2 months for full implementation. FlashCrafter can be running in parallel within 2 weeks without disrupting your existing systems.
Do I need HIPAA-compliant software for patient communication?
Yes, any software handling patient information must be HIPAA compliant. FlashCrafter, built on GoHighLevel, provides HIPAA-compliant patient communication including SMS, email, and the patient portal. All major dental practice management systems are also HIPAA compliant.
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HighLevel CRM included - automate follow-ups and track every lead
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Complete dental marketing system - SEO, Google Ads, and lead generation
Ready to Grow Your Dental Practice?
Join hundreds of dental practices who have streamlined patient acquisition and accelerated growth with FlashCrafter. Start your free trial today and see the difference.