> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://dso.getlemma.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# PMS directory

> Dental practice management systems compared on architecture, single-site vs multi-location fit, and imaging, with the caveats a DSO buyer needs.

The practice management system (PMS) ties together scheduling, clinical charting, the patient ledger, claims, and recall. Products differ in two important ways: server-based versus cloud architecture, and single-office versus multi-location design. A dental support organization (DSO) should pay particular attention to how the product handles multiple locations and legal entities.

Vendors change ownership, rebrand, and reposition frequently. Verify current capabilities directly, and test multi-location support with your actual entity structure before signing. See [Choose a PMS](/guides/billing/choose-a-pms).

## The directory

| System                       | Vendor               | Architecture                                                                              | Single vs multi-site fit                                                                                           | Imaging                                                |
| ---------------------------- | -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Dentrix**                  | Henry Schein One     | On-premise Windows server (SQL Server)                                                    | Single office; Dentrix Enterprise exists for groups<sup>1</sup>                                                    | Via integrated partners in the Henry Schein ecosystem  |
| **Dentrix Ascend**           | Henry Schein One     | Cloud-native, browser-based; a separate codebase from Dentrix<sup>1</sup>                 | Built for multi-site: central database, cross-location reporting<sup>2</sup>                                       | Cloud imaging in-platform                              |
| **Eaglesoft**                | Patterson Dental     | On-premise server                                                                         | Single office<sup>3</sup>                                                                                          | Built-in digital imaging integration                   |
| **Fuse**                     | Patterson Dental     | Cloud (launched 2018)<sup>4</sup>                                                         | Consolidates multi-location data; real-time central scheduling and reporting                                       | Integrated eServices/imaging                           |
| **Open Dental**              | Open Dental Software | On-premise client-server, MySQL; proprietary license since v24.4 (GPL before)<sup>5</sup> | Any size, including large DSOs, via hosted MySQL plus the API; write access is API-only<sup>6</sup>                | Third-party imaging bridges                            |
| **Curve Dental** (SuperHero) | Curve Dental         | Cloud (AWS), all-in-one                                                                   | Start-ups, single offices, and multi-location groups; consolidated cross-location dashboards<sup>7</sup>           | Native cloud imaging and charting                      |
| **Denticon**                 | Planet DDS           | Cloud, multi-tenant, built for groups from the start                                      | Positions itself as the enterprise-DSO leader. See the vendor-claim note below<sup>8</sup>                         | Apteryx XVWeb (Planet DDS-owned imaging)               |
| **tab32**                    | tab32                | Cloud                                                                                     | Targets multi-location groups and DSOs; from roughly \$\$125/month<sup>9</sup>                                     | Built-in, with AI radiology                            |
| **Archy**                    | Archy                | Cloud, all-in-one (imaging, communications, payroll via Gusto)<sup>10</sup>               | Primarily single offices and small groups; per-location pricing, unlimited users                                   | Built-in real-time imaging plus a Pearl AI integration |
| **Oryx**                     | Oryx Dental Software | Cloud                                                                                     | Single practices and small groups; known for clinical-content depth and migrations from 50+ platforms<sup>11</sup> | In-platform                                            |

## Important product notes

* **Dentrix to Ascend is a conversion, not an upgrade.** Ascend is a separately built cloud product on its own codebase; moving means a data migration and retraining, the same as moving to any other vendor.<sup>1</sup>
* **Open Dental's license changed at v24.4** from GPL to a proprietary license, with no announced pricing change. DSOs that built internal tooling against the source code should re-read the license before their next upgrade. Database read access and the API remain the supported integration paths.<sup>5</sup>
* **Denticon's enterprise figures come primarily from Planet DDS.** The company reports 14,500 practices, extensive adoption among groups with more than 100 locations, and use by more than half of the 60 largest North American DSOs. Its July 2026 DentalOS release brings Denticon and Cloud 9 together at the platform level.<sup>8</sup> Independent coverage describes meaningful enterprise adoption, but buyers should still verify the vendor's figures with customer references.
* **Server-based systems require local infrastructure.** A group may need a Windows server at each office, a hardware replacement schedule, and networking that supports access across sites. Cloud products can reduce that burden by providing one patient database and centralized scheduling and reporting.<sup>1</sup>
* **Some DSOs run Open Dental at scale** using hosted MySQL and the product's data-access options. The group may need to build parts of its own cross-location reporting and administration rather than receiving them as native features.

## What to test in every demo

1. **A common dental encounter from start to finish:** exam, radiographs, treatment plan with a downgrade-aware estimate, and claim
2. **Multi-entity**: several Tax IDs, several group NPIs, per-entity settlement and reporting
3. **837D submission and attachment handling:** which clearinghouses it supports and whether you can change them (see the [clearinghouse comparison](/reference/vendors/clearinghouse-comparison))
4. **A difficult 835** containing a takeback, interest, and a secondary transfer, including how each item appears in the exception queue
5. **Your KPI reports**, including hygiene reappointment rate, recall compliance, production by provider, and PPO write-off by plan, without exporting to a spreadsheet
6. **Data export**: what, how, how fast, at what cost

## Sources

1. Henry Schein One, [Dentrix or Dentrix Ascend](https://www.dentrix.com/about-us/dentrix-or-dentrix-ascend/).
2. Henry Schein One, [Dentrix Ascend](https://www.dentrixascend.com/).
3. Patterson Dental, [Eaglesoft](https://www.pattersondental.com/cp/software/dental-practice-management-software/eaglesoft).
4. Patterson Dental, [Fuse](https://www.pattersondental.com/cp/software/dental-practice-management-software/fuse); launch announcement, [Business Wire, April 2018](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180404005749/en/).
5. Open Dental, [License](https://www.opendental.com/site/license.html).
6. Open Dental, [MySQL documentation](https://www.opendental.com/manual/mysql.html); market overview at [dentistpms.com](https://dentistpms.com/software/open-dental).
7. Curve Dental, [DSO page](https://www.curvedental.com/dso-2) and [Fast facts](https://www.curvedental.com/fast-facts) (vendor pages).
8. Planet DDS, [Denticon](https://www.planetdds.com/denticon/); Planet DDS release via [Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/planet-dds-expands-lead-enterprise-140000004.html) (vendor-sourced figures); independent review at [The Molar Report](https://www.themolarreport.com/reviews/planet-dds); DentalOS coverage, [John Flucke, July 2026](https://blog.denticle.com/2026/07/planet-dds-declares-practice-management.html).
9. tab32, [Open Dental alternative page](https://tab32.com/open-dental-alternative/) (vendor page); roundup at [SoftSmile](https://softsmile.com/blog/best-cloud-dental-software/).
10. Archy, [archy.com](https://www.archy.com/); Series A announcement, [PR Newswire, 2024](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/archy-raises-15-million-series-a-round-to-transform-dental-practices-with-automated-cloud-based-platform-underpinned-by-ai-302286180.html); Pearl AI integration, [Dentistry Today](https://www.dentistrytoday.com/archy-advances-dental-practice-management-with-pearls-leading-ai-capabilities/).
11. Oryx, [comparison pages](https://www.oryxdental.com/best-dental-practice-management-software/) and [oryxdentalsoftware.com](https://www.oryxdentalsoftware.com/dental-software-comparison) (vendor pages).