Open Dental, previously known as Free Dental, is a Practice Management Software licensed under the GNU General Public License. It is written in the C# programming language compatible with Microsoft .NET Framework and was first released in 2003. Current versions of the software require Microsoft Windows. Earlier versions of the software had supported other operating systems, but Linux support has been dropped. The full function version is only available under the commercial license because it includes royalty bearing, licensed materials from the American Dental Association (ADA), the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT).
Open Dental is owned and sponsored by Open Dental Software, Inc., which is incorporated in the State of Oregon in the United States of America. Being an open source software, any programmer has the freedom to develop and support Open Dental. The company makes money through its monthly technical support features, which are required for at least the first 6 months of use. The first open dental customer bought the technical support services on July 22, 2003.
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Database
The database uses the dual licensed MySQL database program. The structure of the data, or schema, is available for all to see and use (the data is still secure). It is different than the proprietary format that other dental software uses. Other programs can only export certain fields. In Open Dental, access to and control over every single piece of data is held by the dentist. Both local preferences and those which apply to every computer in the office will be stored in the mySQL database.
The database schema is published and publicly viewable at http://opendental.com/manual/programmingresources.html.
Relational database benefits to dental practice
There are documented benefits to using a relational database when storing and retrieving data: the relational model offers "advantages over the hierarchical and network models through its simpler data representation, superior data independence and easy to use query language". Open Dental gives the user those benefits over the non-relational platforms used by other dental practice management software programs.
Availability
Relational databases like Oracle and MySQL have mechanisms that can be used to keep the availability (of the database) very high. For instance, with MySQL replication, "the active primary database ships transactions to one or more standby databases. These standby databases apply the transactions to their own copies of the data. Should the primary database fail, one of these standby databases can be activated to become the new primary database". High availability is of clear importance when a customers (patients) have expectations of service at a particular time (an appointment). Open Dental provides replication support for users whose availability, mobility or multiple physical location needs demand it.
Mobility
Mobile dental programs have special needs including offline data collection, central data availability and public health reporting. All of these needs are met with Open Dental. An example of a mobile dental program that has published their experience using Open Dental is the St. David's Dental Program.
Retrievability/Reporting
Structured Query Language (SQL) allows the user to pull data from the database for analysis. Open Dental provides over 1,100 user queries that have been requested by users, and advanced users may write their own queries to get specialized information from the database.
Scalability
Open Dental can be scaled from a single, one-computer user in a small office to dozens of computers per server over multiple physical locations.
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Goals
The project wants "this software to become the world standard dental software. We want to make it easy to access and share data. We are tired of the restrictive policies of the current dental software companies. We want the user to always have total control, not the software company. And most of all, we want software that just works well".
There are an estimated 10,000 offices using OD, and an estimated 10,000,000 patient records.
Dr. Jordan Sparks has done most of the initial programming. They have a team of additional programmers employed these days.
Features
Appointment
- Support unlimited operatories and unlimited providers
- edit views, colors, default values
- schedule and modify appointments
- Show pop-up alerts, financial and medical notes
- recall scheduling
Family
- view patient records (HIPAA compliant)
- When possible, fields are filled automatically or checked for potential errors
- Save billing type and insurance information
- Track student status and referrals
- Track credit and contact notes
- Sign Procedure Notes: Digital Signatures. Sign or initial procedure notes using a Topaz signature pad or by using a stylus on a touchscreen.
- Patient Info Terminal(Kiosk): A way for a new patient to enter their own information from the waiting room. The receptionist controls the terminal from another computer. Can also be used to let patient update their info if it has changed. New patients can check off items in list of diseases.
- Medical History Questionnaire: a user defined list of questions and answers sent to the patient info terminal.
Account
- Send letters and emails to patients
- Email appointment reminders, recare appointments.
- Patient and Insurance billing system with e-claim functionality
- E-claims: go through a clearinghouse to submit all e-claims or submit directly to carries that support the X12 files/claims. The X12 EDI Format is the standard defined by ASC (ex-ANSI) and specified by HIPAA.
- Track referrals and lab cases
- Lab Cases: set up turnaround times on each procedure type for due dates to be calculated automatically.
- Create and track payment plans.
- View patient and family balances.
- Credit Card Processing Integrated credit card processor with swipe terminal.
Treatment Plan
- View/Edit/Save treatment plans
- Prioritize treatment
- Create multiple treatment plans
- Print or send electronically insurance preauthorization forms
Chart
- Enter and organize patient clinical information
- 3D movable tooth charting
- Track progress and treatment notes
- Write and print prescriptions
- Rx Alerts: Crosslink Diseases to Rx definitions so that an alert is triggered for allergies, etc. when writing an Rx.
- Procedure codes: Currently, the following sets of procedure codes are available as separate databases: blank, usa, canada, uk.
- Perio Charting: voice recognition software compatible.
Images
- Add and manage patient images
- Integrate with Radiography, scanner, digital camera devices
- Images can be zoomed in and out, rotated.
- Import Word, PDF, and Excel files
Manage
- Create and send e-claims or paper claims
- Billing automation
- Audio and visual office intercom
- Critical data backup
- User-defined queries and reports
- Track employee hours and breaks
- Daily, weekly & monthly task lists
- Built-in accounting intended to replace QuickBooks for small offices.
- Secure remote access
- Language support: The code is all written to automatically adapt to the user's computer settings. The translations are specific to the culture (country), not just the language.
- Time Cards: User defined pay periods. Tracks 40-hour workweek, computes overtime, allows adjustments, and prints.
- Multiple Server/Location Support
eServices
- eConfirmations: Send automated text message and/or email confirmations to remind patients about an upcoming appointment and allow the patient to e-confirm.
- eReminders: Send automated text message and/or email reminders about upcoming appointments.
- Integrated Texting: Send SMS text messages directly to patient's mobile devices and receive unlimited inbound text messages from patients.
- Mobile Web: Connect to the Open Dental database using a mobile device.
- Patient Portal: Give patients electronic access to their health information and use Secure Web Mail to send and receive patient information.
- Web Forms: Allow patients to complete forms online using any browser.
- Web Sched New Patient: Allow new patients to schedule their first appointment online.
- Web Sched Recall: Automatically or manually email recall reminders that include a clickable link to schedule the appointment online.
- eRx: Write and transmit electronic prescriptions (only available in the United States and its territories, including Puerto Rico).
Awards
DrBicuspid.com 2017 Dental excellence Awards: Best New/Updated Software/Service
ValuePenguinSoftware: Best Desktop Dental Practice Management Software
Forks
- Spinnaker is a fork of Open Dental specialized for dental practices in the United Kingdom. Like Open Dental, it is available under the GNU General Public License.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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