CareStack is a fully cloud-based dental practice management platform. There is no local server to install, no software to deploy to individual workstations, and no database to maintain on-site. That simplicity is real, but it shifts the hardware and infrastructure requirements from server hardware to workstation quality, internet reliability, and network configuration.
Here is what your practice needs to run CareStack correctly in 2026.
The Most Important Infrastructure Decision for CareStack
CareStack’s cloud model eliminates server costs but makes internet connectivity the most critical infrastructure in the office.
A practice running CareStack on a slow or unreliable internet connection will experience slowdowns that look like software problems but are network problems. Configure your internet and network correctly before go-live, not after.
Need your IT environment configured and tested for CareStack before opening day? Find out in 15 minutes if we are the right fit.
Dedicated imaging workstation (CBCT or 3D imaging)
Internet speed requirements
How many operatories will be actively using CareStack simultaneously?
1 to 2 workstations
3 to 4 workstations
5 to 6 workstations
7 or more workstations
Network Configuration for CareStack
Quality of Service configured on your managed firewallCareStack traffic should be prioritized on your network using QoS settings. Without QoS, large imaging file uploads or software update downloads can compete with CareStack traffic and cause slowdowns during clinical hours.
Patient Wi-Fi on a separate network segment from clinical workstationsPatient devices on the same network as CareStack workstations create both HIPAA compliance gaps and bandwidth competition. Your IT provider configures network segmentation as part of the standard office setup.
Business-grade managed hardware requiredConsumer routers and access points cannot support the VLAN configuration required for proper network segmentation. A business-class managed firewall and managed wireless access points are required for a CareStack deployment.
Imaging Integration
How imaging works with CareStack
CareStack integrates with dental imaging platforms including DEXIS, SOTA Cloud Imaging, and Mango Voice among others. Imaging software typically runs locally on the operatory workstation even though CareStack itself is cloud-based. The imaging workstation must meet both CareStack’s browser requirements and the specific imaging software’s hardware requirements — whichever is higher.
DEXISSOTA Cloud ImagingMango Voice
Confirm imaging integration compatibility before purchasing hardwareConfirm imaging integration compatibility with CareStack and your imaging vendor before finalizing hardware purchases for operatory workstations. Integration that works in principle may have specific driver or OS requirements that affect your hardware spec.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. CareStack is fully cloud-based. Patient data, scheduling, billing, and clinical records all live in CareStack’s hosted environment. There is no server to purchase, maintain, or eventually replace for practice management purposes.
Google Chrome is the supported browser for CareStack. The browser should be kept current with automatic updates enabled. Running CareStack in an unsupported browser or an outdated Chrome version can cause interface problems and feature failures.
16GB minimum. Chrome is memory-intensive by design, and CareStack’s interface uses multiple browser tabs for different functions. Running CareStack alongside imaging software on 8GB RAM will cause slowdowns. 16GB is the practical minimum for a stable daily experience.
Access to CareStack is unavailable until internet connectivity is restored. Patient scheduling, clinical charting, billing, and claims processing all require an active internet connection. A backup LTE failover device eliminates this risk by automatically switching to cellular data when the primary connection drops.
Running CareStack in 2026 and not sure if your workstations, internet, and network are actually built to support it without slowdowns?
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. We check your workstations, browser configurations, and network setup against CareStack’s 2026 requirements and tell you exactly what needs attention and what can hold off.
CareStack is only as fast as the workstations and network running it. Find out if yours meets the 2026 standard.
Ezra Angelo
