How to Migrate from Dentrix to Open Dental

• Ezra Angelo
• • October 16, 2025
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Switching from Dentrix to Open Dental is one of the most common dental software migrations in North America. Open Dental’s lower licensing cost and open-source flexibility make it an appealing move for established practices looking to reduce overhead.

The migration itself is manageable with the right preparation. Open Dental has a dedicated conversions team that handles Dentrix migrations regularly. The key is knowing exactly what transfers, what does not, and what your IT environment needs to support before the cutover happens.

What Transfers from Dentrix to Open Dental

Open Dental’s conversion service handles the data transfer from Dentrix. The following data typically converts successfully during a standard migration.

Patient demographics and records

Patient names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, birthdays, and account information all transfer. Provider assignments and treatment history convert as part of the patient record.

Appointment history

Past appointment records convert into Open Dental. Future appointments require verification after the conversion is complete to ensure provider and operatory assignments transferred correctly. Open Dental recommends running the Update Provs on Future Appts tool on each operatory after the final conversion.

Treatment plans and clinical notes

Procedure codes and treatment plan data convert. Clinical notes transfer in most cases. The formatting may differ between platforms, so staff should expect to review note layouts during training.

Insurance plans and billing data

Insurance plan information and ledger balances convert. However, Open Dental recommends not running reports for historical information inside Open Dental after migration. Historical reports should be run in Dentrix through the date of conversion. Open Dental reports will accurately reflect data entered after the final conversion date.

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What Does Not Transfer Automatically

Imaging data

Dentrix stores imaging data in a separate folder structure called the image path, completely separate from the SQL database. This imaging data requires a separate image conversion process. If your practice uses Dentrix Imaging or has years of X-rays stored in the Dentrix image folder, confirm with Open Dental’s conversions team whether an image conversion is included or requires a separate fee.

Outstanding claims

Outstanding insurance claims at the time of conversion must be manually re-entered into Open Dental before you begin billing. This is one of the most labor-intensive parts of any Dentrix migration and requires careful coordination between your billing staff and the conversion timeline.

Forms and auto notes

Custom forms, auto notes, treatment plan templates, and recall intervals do not convert automatically. These need to be recreated inside Open Dental before or shortly after go-live.

The Migration Process Step by Step

Step 1: Test conversion

Open Dental runs a test conversion using a copy of your current Dentrix data. This lets you see exactly what your data looks like inside Open Dental before committing to the final migration. Review the test conversion carefully with your front desk and billing team.

Step 2: Staff training

Open Dental recommends completing staff training before the final conversion. Your team should be familiar with the software’s core workflows before they are expected to use it with patients.

Step 3: Final conversion

The final migration is typically scheduled over a weekend or other low-activity period. Open Dental’s conversions team runs the final data transfer. Your IT provider installs the software, configures workstations, and verifies the connection to the server.

Step 4: Go-live verification

Before the first patient appointment, verify that patient records are accessible, imaging integrations are working, and all operatories can connect to the server. Run the provider update tool on all operatories to confirm future appointment assignments are correct.

What to Expect on Go-Live Day

Go-live morning is the moment most dental teams are anxious about. The good news is that by this point, the data is already in Open Dental, the workstations are configured, and your team has been through training. The day itself should feel like a normal Monday with a different interface.

Staff will be slower than usual for the first few days. That is normal and expected with any platform change. The front desk will take longer to schedule and check patients in. Clinical staff will need to find their rhythm with charting. Give your team grace during the first week and have your IT provider available by phone throughout the first day.

Keep Dentrix accessible for at least 30 days after go-live. Staff will reference it for historical reports and older patient records while they build familiarity with Open Dental. Do not uninstall it until you are confident everything your team needs is accessible in the new system.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Dentrix to Open Dental migration take?

Most migrations take two to four weeks from the first contact with Open Dental’s conversions team to go-live. This includes time for the test conversion, staff training, and scheduling the final cutover. Practices with complex data or multiple providers may take longer.

Can we keep using Dentrix for historical reports after migration?

Yes. Open Dental recommends keeping Dentrix accessible for historical reporting through the conversion date. Open Dental reports will accurately reflect activity entered after the final conversion, but historical data is best accessed from Dentrix.

Does migrating to Open Dental affect our HIPAA compliance?

The migration itself does not change your compliance status, but the process involves transferring patient data and requires careful handling. Your IT provider and Open Dental’s conversions team both need signed Business Associate Agreements in place before any data transfer begins.

Does Ekim support practices migrating to Open Dental?

Yes. As a certified Open Dental vendor partner, Ekim IT Solutions has direct experience with Open Dental’s technical environment. We support Dentrix to Open Dental migrations for practices across all 50 states remotely, with on-site support available in New England and New York.

Planning a Dentrix to Open Dental migration?

Ekim IT Solutions works exclusively with dental practices. We serve New England and New York with on-site support and dental practices nationwide with remote support. Security, compliance, and everything in between so you can focus on patients.

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

• Ezra Angelo
• • October 16, 2025
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