Installing Open Dental on a Workstation

Installing open dental on a workstation correctly is the foundation for a stable and efficient clinical workflow. A proper installation ensures that your team can access patient records, imaging, and scheduling tools without interruption, preventing downtime during busy patient hours.

Requirements

Before you begin the installation process, ensure you have the following in place:

• Version Consistency: Verify that the version you are installing matches the version currently running on your server. As of early 2026, ensure you are using version 25.2 or 25.3. Mixing versions between the server and workstations can cause database corruption.
• Administrative Access: You must have local administrative rights on the Windows computer to install the software.
• Network Connectivity: The workstation must have a stable, wired connection to the server.
• Security Permissions: Ensure the user account you will use to log into the software has the necessary permissions. If you are the one performing the setup, you will need the "Setup" permission enabled in Setup > Security > User/Groups.
• Firewall/Antivirus: Ensure your firewall allows traffic on the port used by your MySQL or MariaDB database (typically port 3306).

Step-by-Step Setup

Follow these steps to install the software on a new workstation:

1. Download the Installer: Navigate to the official Open Dental website and download the installer that matches your current server version.
2. Run the Installer: Double-click the downloaded .exe file. Follow the prompts in the installation wizard.
3. Configure the Connection: When prompted for the database connection, enter the server name or the IP address of your server computer.
4. Launch the Program: Once installed, double-click the Open Dental icon on your desktop.
5. Set the Workstation Name: Go to Setup > Advanced Setup > Workstations. Click "Add" or select the current workstation from the list. Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "Front Desk 1" or "Op 2") and click "OK."
6. Configure Local Preferences: Go to Setup > Preferences. Review the settings to ensure they align with your practice's workflow, such as default printer settings or imaging paths. Click "OK" to save any changes.
7. Set Imaging Paths: If this workstation needs to access images, go to Setup > Imaging > Imaging Paths. Ensure the path points to the shared network folder where your images are stored. Click "OK."

How to Verify It's Working

To confirm the installation is successful, perform a "sanity check" on the workstation:

1. Open the Appointments Module.
2. Attempt to create a test appointment for a dummy patient.
3. If the appointment saves and appears on the schedule, the workstation is successfully communicating with the database.
4. Next, open the Imaging Module for a patient with existing radiographs. If the images load correctly, your imaging paths are configured properly.

Tips & Best Practices

• Use Static IP Addresses: Always use a static IP address for your server. If the server's IP address changes, the workstation will lose its connection to the database.
• Keep Workstation Names Consistent: Use a naming convention that identifies the location of the computer (e.g., "FrontDesk-North", "Op1-DrSmith"). This makes it much easier to manage settings in Setup > Advanced Setup > Workstations.
• Update Simultaneously: When it is time to update your software, update the server first, then update all workstations immediately after. Never run different versions of the software on the same network.
• Limit Local Admin Rights: While you need admin rights to install the software, it is a security best practice to remove local administrative rights from standard staff user accounts after the installation is complete.

If you encounter errors during the installation, double-check your server's firewall settings or verify that the database service is running on the server. For complex network environments, consult with your IT professional to ensure your local area network (LAN) is optimized for dental software traffic.

This article is provided by opendentalsupport.com, an independent community resource. We are not affiliated with Open Dental Software, Inc.