What IT Equipment Does a Dental Practice Need to Open

• Ezra Angelo
• • March 18, 2026
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Opening a dental practice involves dozens of decisions happening simultaneously. IT is often one of the last things addressed and one of the first things that causes problems on opening day. A practice that is not ready on the technology side on day one cannot schedule patients, access records, or capture images.

Here is the complete list of IT equipment a dental practice needs before seeing its first patient, and the order in which it should be set up.

Network Infrastructure

Structured cabling

Cat6 Ethernet cabling needs to be run to every operatory, the front desk, the server room or closet, and any other location with a networked device. Cabling should be installed during the build-out phase before walls are closed. Running cable after construction is complete is significantly more expensive and disruptive.

Business-class firewall and router

Your firewall is the front door of your network. It controls incoming and outgoing traffic and provides the network segmentation that HIPAA compliance requires. A business-class firewall from a reputable vendor gives your IT provider the tools to manage your network securely. Consumer-grade routers from retail stores are not appropriate for a dental practice environment.

Managed network switches

Switches connect all the devices in your practice. Managed switches give your IT provider visibility and control over network traffic. For a practice with multiple operatories and a server, managed switches are the appropriate choice.

Wireless access points

Business-class wireless access points provide coverage for tablets, patient devices, and any wireless-capable devices in your practice. Patient Wi-Fi should be on a separate network segment from your clinical systems. Your IT provider handles this segmentation during setup.

Server and Storage

If your practice management software requires a local server, Dentrix and Eaglesoft both do, you need a dedicated server installed, configured, and running before the software can be set up. The server must meet the current hardware requirements for your specific software version.

Cloud-based platforms like Dentrix Ascend and Curve Dental do not require a local server. If you are opening on a cloud platform, you skip this step but you still need a fast, reliable internet connection because your software depends entirely on it.

Workstations

Each location in your practice that needs a computer needs a workstation. Operatory workstations have different requirements than front desk workstations. Operatory computers that capture X-rays need USB 3.0 ports for sensor connectivity and in some cases a dedicated graphics card for imaging software. Front desk workstations prioritize processing speed for scheduling and billing.

All workstations need Windows 10 Professional or Windows 11 Professional. Home editions are not supported by major dental software platforms. Every workstation should be ordered, set up, and tested before opening day.

Additional IT Requirements

Backup solution

Your backup solution needs to be in place before you enter your first patient record, not after. A cloud backup service or offsite backup device should be configured, tested, and running from day one. This includes backing up both the practice management database and the imaging data folder separately.

Security and HIPAA compliance

Before seeing patients, your practice needs workstation encryption enabled, automatic screen lock configured, unique login credentials for each staff member, and a signed Business Associate Agreement with your IT provider. These are HIPAA requirements that apply from the day you handle your first patient record.

VoIP phone system

If your practice uses a VoIP phone system like Weave, the phones need to be installed and tested before opening. VoIP phones connect via your network and depend on your internet connection. Your IT provider and your phone system vendor need to coordinate on the installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I start the IT setup process for a new practice?

Ideally, involve your IT provider at the same time you finalize your floor plan. Cabling decisions need to be made before construction begins. Software procurement, server ordering, and workstation setup all take time. Starting the IT process three to six months before your target opening date is reasonable for most practices.

Do I need a server if I use cloud-based dental software?

No. Cloud-based platforms like Dentrix Ascend, Curve Dental, and Open Dental Cloud do not require a local server. Your data lives in the vendor’s cloud infrastructure. You still need workstations, networking equipment, and a reliable internet connection. A fast, stable internet connection becomes your most critical infrastructure component.

Can I use the same computers from my old practice in a new location?

Possibly, depending on their age and specs. Computers more than five years old may not meet current software requirements and may not support Windows 11. Your IT provider can assess existing hardware against the requirements for your chosen software before you decide whether to reuse or replace.

Does Ekim help new dental practices get set up from scratch?

Yes. Ekim IT Solutions works with new dental practices from the planning phase through opening day. We design the network, source and configure equipment, install and test all software, and make sure everything is working before your first patient walks in. We serve new practices across all 50 states remotely and provide on-site support in New England and New York.

Opening a new dental practice? Let us get your IT right from day one.

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
• • March 18, 2026
Share: