Choosing the right practice management solution is one of the most important business decisions you can make for your practice. When selecting your PM, you need to choose a vendor you can have a long-term relationship with.

Here are 8 tips to make sure your software is right for you:

1. Make sure the software simple to learn and use.

2. Educate yourself on several products. Ask tough questions and ask for references.

3. Confirm the vendor has US-based Support staff, what are the Support hours, How are you able to contact Support and what is the response time?

4. Evaluate the Total Cost of Ownership (initial cost of software, installation, training and ongoing costs)

5. If you're considering a cloud solution, investigate the availability, reliability, and monthly cost of a primary high-speed Internet connection plus a redundant high-speed connection.

6. Confirm that cloud software will work natively with your imaging equipment.

7. Ask about training options- online, onsite and associated travel expenses. Do they offer free ongoing education?

8. Is the vendor a technology innovation leader and do they offer mobile capabilities such as iPad use for you and your patients?


Software is the brain of modern dental practices. To be successful, you need to select a vendor that is the developer of the product and is a partner who is reliable, that you can trust and believe, and one that understands the evolving dental industry.


Author Bio:

Mark Hollis, CEO and Co-Founder of MacPractice, Inc., the leading developer of practice management and clinical software for dentists who prefer to use Macs, iPads and iPhones. MacPractice supports 30,000 users in 32 countries.