COVID-19 Update for Open Dental Customers

Updated 05/15/2020

We are living through an incredibly challenging and unprecedented time. We have all been impacted by social distancing and other mandates that have changed the way we do business.

We have been truly touched by the supportive and encouraging messages we've received from our customers during this extraordinarily difficult time. We look forward to getting through this together, and for brighter times ahead. We will continue to update this page as needed and as questions are asked.

Is your support center staying open?

Yes. Our staff remain committed and available to support you. See our Contact page for our current hours of operation.

If there are disruptions to our staffing due to illness or quarantine, we will adjust our support structure to best fit the staff and customer demand we have.

What is Open Dental doing to help offices during this time?

Your office may reduce or defer your monthly payments during this time. Please call us to make arrangements, we cannot process account changes over email.

What to expect:

• Monthly support charges will continue to accrue on your account
• Any pre-authorized reduced monthly payment will post on your normal bill cycle day
• A monthly statement will be sent to your e-mail address on file
• Support services will continue, as well as your full access to Open Dental features
• Accounts will be re-evaluated on June 15th, 2020; this date is only subject to change as we monitor further developments of COVID-19 and its impact
• When this period ends, Open Dental will contact you to offer a payment plan

What to do when you receive your bill:

• Payments are not required during the duration of this agreement; however, partial payments are encouraged so that your account can be brought current more easily.
• If you've arranged an automated monthly partial payment, please be sure to keep a record of your statement.

If I cancel my eService Bundle, will the price increase when I re-enable it?

No. If you cancelled your eService bundle for any reason and are re-enabling it, you will get the rate you were at before, as opposed to the possibly higher current rate. This will be true from April 2020 to December 2020.

Is training still available?

Online Training is still available and can be scheduled as normal.

We are not performing or scheduling any on-site training at customer locations until further notice.

How do I set up Teledentistry in Open Dental?

See our blog post: Teledentistry and Open Dental

The ADA came out with a screening form for patients. Is this form available in Open Dental?

Yes. The COVID-19 Patient Screening Form is available in Versions 19.4.40 and 20.1.18 and greater. For instructions, see Dental Patient Screening Form.

Where can I record patient temperature?

If you are screening patients before you begin treatment, it is recommended to add temperature to the Appointment Field Defs. See Screening Patient Temperature for setup instructions.

Other resources that may help

• Visit the ADA Coronavirus Center for Dentists for updated ADA COVID-19 Coding and Billing Guidance, information on Small Business Interruption Loans, and much more.


• If you employ less than 500 people, your employees may qualify for benefits through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act which provides paid leave related to COVID-19 illness, quarantine, or childcare issues as a result of the pandemic. This can help you retain trusted, talented staff while keeping them safe, and allowing them to care for their families while they receive all or part of their regular pay. This includes provisions to help you as the employer with payroll tax relief and 100% reimbursement for paid staff leave and health insurance costs.


• The Small Business Administration has created a page with information and resources related to the recently signed CARES Act. Click here for the Small Business Owner's Guide.