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Dental software conversion matrix
Dental software conversion matrix
Moving between Dentrix, ClearDent, ABELDent or Tracker? Find your move below. Your software vendor or a conversion service converts the data. We don’t run the conversion. We project manage it with them and handle the IT side.
What usually moves
Patient records, appointments, treatment plans, insurance details, clinical notes, images and documents. Financial data is left behind, see best practice below. What actually converts depends on both systems and on whoever does the conversion. Ask for a field by field list in writing.
What can go wrong
Records that don’t make it across, missing or changed fields, broken imaging links, downtime at cutover, and record retention. A tested backup comes first.
Who does what
The software vendor or a conversion service converts the data. Benson Hunt project manages the move, and handles backups, servers, workstations, imaging links and the privacy review.
Best practice
- Leave financial data behind.Move only operational data: patients, appointments, treatment plans, clinical notes, documents and the like.
- Set a cut-off date and time.Close off the old accounts receivable (AR) in the old system at that moment, to avoid mistakes.
- Plan images separately.Additional conversions may be needed, such as x-ray images. Open DICOM is easier. Proprietary formats, for example Dexis Imaging, can be more challenging.
A good time to update your systems
A software move is a good time to update the systems around it and run the servers on Hyper-V. Many clinics run practice software directly on one physical server, so a hardware failure can stop everything and recovery can mean rebuilding on new hardware. We plan any downtime around your clinic hours. Read why dental clinics should run their server on Hyper-V.
Which move are you planning?
Read across from your current software to the new one. Where a move isn’t set out here yet, we say so. Ask us and we’ll go through it.
| From To | ClearDent | Dentrix | ABELDent | Tracker | Cloud system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ClearDent | Same software | Notes | Ask us | Notes | Notes |
| Dentrix | Notes | Same software | Ask us | Ask us | Notes |
| ABELDent | Notes | Notes | Same software | Notes | Notes |
| Tracker | Ask us | Ask us | Ask us | Same software | Notes |
| Images | Open DICOM is easier to move. Proprietary formats, for example Dexis Imaging, can be more challenging. Ask us | ||||
Notes for each move
Choose your current software. Each line says what to do for that move.
From ClearDent
- ClearDent to DentrixTell both vendors which ClearDent version you run. Ask in writing which ClearDent data converts and which doesn’t. We back up ClearDent and its images first and test the restore.
- ClearDent to ABELDentNot set out here yet. Call (604) 813-7881 and we’ll go through it with you.
- ClearDent to TrackerTell both vendors which ClearDent version you run. Ask in writing which data converts and which doesn’t. We coordinate with both vendors and plan the cutover around your clinic hours.
- ClearDent to a cloud systemTest your internet at busy times first. Plan logins, MFA and security on every computer. Decide where 3D and other large images will live. Ask how to export your own data later. Read the cloud section.
From Dentrix
- Dentrix to ClearDentTell both vendors which Dentrix version you run. Ask in writing which Dentrix data converts and which doesn’t. We back up Dentrix and its images first and test the restore.
- Dentrix to ABELDentNot set out here yet. Call (604) 813-7881 and we’ll go through it with you.
- Dentrix to TrackerNot set out here yet. Call (604) 813-7881 and we’ll go through it with you.
- Dentrix to a cloud systemTest your internet at busy times first. Plan logins, MFA and security on every computer. Decide where 3D and other large images will live. Ask how to export your own data later. Read the cloud section.
From ABELDent
- ABELDent to ClearDentConfirm your ABELDent version and whether it’s local or cloud. Ask the new vendor if they’ve converted from ABELDent before. We keep ABELDent readable after the move.
- ABELDent to DentrixConfirm your ABELDent version and whether it’s local or cloud. Ask the new vendor if they’ve converted from ABELDent before. We keep ABELDent readable after the move.
- ABELDent to TrackerConfirm your ABELDent version and whether it’s local or cloud. Ask the new vendor if they’ve converted from ABELDent before. We keep ABELDent readable after the move.
- ABELDent to a cloud systemTest your internet at busy times first. Plan logins, MFA and security on every computer. Decide where 3D and other large images will live. Ask how to export your own data later. Read the cloud section.
From Tracker
- Tracker to ClearDentNot set out here yet. Call (604) 813-7881 and we’ll go through it with you.
- Tracker to DentrixNot set out here yet. Call (604) 813-7881 and we’ll go through it with you.
- Tracker to ABELDentNot set out here yet. Call (604) 813-7881 and we’ll go through it with you.
- Tracker to a cloud systemTest your internet at busy times first. Plan logins, MFA and security on every computer. Decide where 3D and other large images will live. Ask how to export your own data later. Read the cloud section.
Images and x-rays
- Open DICOMEasier to move. Ask us which format your imaging software uses.
- Proprietary formats, for example Dexis ImagingCan be more challenging. Additional conversions may be needed. Ask us.
- Sensors and imaging linksWe reconnect and test each sensor with the new software, and point image folders and bridges to the right place.
The notes here are general IT guidance, not a promise of what converts. Moving to a cloud system? Cloud based doesn’t mean nothing is needed. Plan the security stack, internet failover, local backups and a recovery plan around it. Three friendly questions to ask first: what handles printing, where CBCT images live, and who manages each PC. See the three questions. Check record retention and privacy rules with your regulator and your lawyer. This isn’t legal advice. Read the full dental software data conversion guide for the checklist, risks and cloud trade offs.