Does Your Dental Practice Need a Server in 2026?

• Ezra Angelo
• • March 15, 2026
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A few years ago, every dental practice needed a server. That is no longer true.

Whether you need one today depends on which software you run, how many users you have, and how much IT overhead you want to deal with. Here is the plain-language answer.

What a Server Actually Does in a Dental Practice

Your server stores and runs your practice management software and imaging data locally. Every workstation in the office connects to it to access patient records, X-rays, and treatment plans.

Without a server, that data lives somewhere else. Either in the cloud or on a vendor’s servers. That is the core decision you are making.

Do You Need One? It Depends on Your Software

If you run Dentrix or Eaglesoft

Yes, you likely still need a server. Both are server-based by default. Dentrix Ascend is the cloud version of Dentrix, but it has a different feature set and mixed reviews. If you are on standard Dentrix or Eaglesoft, a server is part of your setup.

If you run Open Dental

It depends. Open Dental supports both a local server and a private cloud deployment. If you want to eliminate the server, Open Dental with a private cloud is a clean option. As a certified Open Dental vendor partner, Ekim sets this up regularly for practices across New England.

If you run Curve Dental

No server needed. Curve is 100% cloud-based. Everything runs through a browser. The tradeoff is that your internet connection becomes critical infrastructure. If it goes down, so does your access to patient records.

The Case for Keeping a Server

• You have full control over your data and how it is stored.
• Performance is fast and not dependent on internet speed.
• Some imaging software still performs better on a local server than in the cloud.
• No ongoing subscription fees to a cloud hosting provider.

The Case for Going Cloud

• No server hardware to buy, maintain, or eventually replace.
• Staff can access the system remotely from any device.
• Software updates happen automatically with no IT intervention.
• Lower upfront cost for startup practices.

What to Ask Before You Decide

• Does my practice management software support a cloud deployment?
• How reliable is my internet connection and do I have a backup connection if it goes down?
• How old is my current server and am I facing a replacement cost soon?
• Does my imaging software perform well in a cloud environment?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a dental office server last?

Most servers have a useful life of five to seven years. After that, performance degrades and security risk increases. If your server is approaching that age, it is worth evaluating whether a cloud migration makes more sense than another hardware purchase.

What happens if my internet goes down and I am cloud-based?

You lose access to your practice management system until connectivity is restored. Most cloud-based practices set up a backup internet connection, typically a cellular hotspot or secondary ISP, to avoid this scenario.

Is cloud-based dental software HIPAA compliant?

The platform may meet HIPAA standards, but your practice still needs its own compliance documentation. Your IT provider handles this regardless of whether you are server-based or cloud-based.

Can I switch from a server to the cloud without changing my software?

It depends on your software. Open Dental supports both. Dentrix and Eaglesoft require switching to their cloud versions, which have different features. Talk to your dental IT provider before making any changes.

Not Sure What Your Practice Needs?

Ekim IT Solutions helps dental practices across New England and New York make the right call on server vs cloud, with remote support available across the United States.

Schedule a Fit Call: Find out in 15 minutes if we are the right fit for your practice.

• Ezra Angelo
• • March 15, 2026
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