The Most Common Features of Dental Practice Management Software

The Most Common Features of Dental Practice Management Software

The best dental practice management charting software for your practice is one that has the features that are most important to you. These are the most important features you should look at as you review your options.

• Staff Scheduling. It is important to schedule the right staff at the right time to ensure that you can provide excellent care for your patients. Scheduling tools may include color coding and other options to help you clarify who is working with each patient and what procedures are on the schedule.

To ensure you fully understand each feature, it is a good idea to request a demo of any software you are considering.

Datacon

Overview: Datacon is another hybrid dental practice management solution that combines an on-premises server with online data storage and mobile connectivity. Datacon offers a complete suite of features and works with both Macs and PCs -- even both at the same time. Datacon integrates with almost any type of dental software and has paperless office capabilities.

Service model: Hybrid

Hardware/OS Requirements: Installs on a Mac server but can be accessed on Windows PCs or Macs (or a combination of both), as well as mobile devices. Find more info on the system requirements here. Their website specifies Windows 7 or above, but Titan Web Agency recommends upgrading to Windows 10 for security reasons.

Datacon doesn't have pricing information on their website so we reached out and asked them for more details. Flo Johnson from Datacon provided us with the following information:

Our software is priced based upon the number of workstations that are connected. It allows a small dental practice or new dentist to access all the same features as larger multi-location offices.

This is the current pricing structure:

The first three workstations are $500.00 each

4 - 6 Workstations $425.00/each

Workstations 7-9 $350.00/each

Workstations 10, or More $275.00/each

Server-based software (your private cloud) is available. The server software can run on any Macintosh for $799, with suggested configurations starting at $1999. There is also a (required) Monthly Software Support subscription of $175.00/month per database.

The following premium options are available:

HIPAA compliant secure email from the server. This isn't a desktop option. $20/month

Email PDF Statements $0.25 Each

Automated Patient Communications - Text or email reminders, and messaging. $20/month

Electronic prescriptions that include controlled substances. $65/month/participating provider

The information included is from our 2020 update. We reached out for confirmation that this information is still the same and will update this post with new information as we receive it.

Free demo: No

HIPAA compliance is possible

Training: Here's what Datacon says about training:

To provide an added value, we are now including 45 minutes of telephone/high-speed Internet training per quarter. The training is not credited and expires after each quarter. For training that is included in support, we will only post one credit per quarter. You can purchase additional training as required.

Support: Telephone support during business hours, plus email support. They responded within 24 hours when we reached them by email. Find their full support policy here.

Key features:

• Paperless charting and other paperless office features
• Patient folders
• X-ray integration
• Integration with major software programs in the field of dentistry is seamless (see here for a list).
• Billing features
• Patient scheduling
• PayConnect integration
• Customizable reporting

What's the Takeaway

Datacon is an advanced, all-in-one dental practice management software that provides the advantages of both on-premise and cloud-based services. It is simple to learn and can be integrated with any other dental software. Datacon is also a good option for a mixed-computer practice or one that wants some mobile/paperless features. Datacon is scalable and can be used in both small or large offices with many locations.