OpenDentalFork21.2 is an unofficial copy of the Open Dental 21.2 source code (build 21.2.50), uploaded to GitHub by an organisation account named RisasDentalManagement. The repository has four commits, all from 11 November 2021: an initial commit, two .gitignore changes and one large code import. It has no releases, no README, no licence file of its own and no activity since that day. It may interest developers who want to read the older Open Dental code. It is not a product for dental clinics.
If you searched for OpenDentalFork or “OpenDentalFork Cloud Edition”: no such product exists. There is no browser version, no Docker or Kubernetes image and no iOS app. Open Dental itself is developed by Open Dental Software and has been proprietary since version 24.4. For the real, supported software see our page on Open Dental.
OpenDentalFork21.2 at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Latest version | No releases or tags; the code is Open Dental 21.2.50; last commit 11 November 2021 |
| Licence | No licence published by the repository owner. The code is Open Dental 21.2 from the period when Open Dental was released under the GPL, and a copy of the GPL v2 text is in the source tree. |
| Platforms | Windows desktop (C#, .NET Framework 4.7.2, Visual Studio solution) with a MySQL database server |
| Developer | Original code: Open Dental Software, Inc.; copy uploaded by the GitHub organisation RisasDentalManagement |
| Official website | GitHub repository: github.com/RisasDentalManagement/OpenDentalFork21.2 |
| Best for | Developers researching the historical Open Dental 21.2 code base |
What is in the repository
- The complete Open Dental 21.2 Visual Studio solution with about 5,400 C# files.
- The OpenDental Windows client and the OpenDentBusiness data layer.
- Server-side components: OpenDentalServer (middle tier), OpenDentHL7, OpenDentalEConnector and OpenDentalWebService.
- SparksToothChart, the graphical tooth chart, and the RDL report designer, engine and viewer.
- Central Manager, database tools and unit test projects.
- A folder named OpenDentalCloud. It belongs to the original code and holds document-storage connectors (Dropbox and SFTP). It is not a hosted “cloud edition”.
- Historical Linux build notes (dated 2007, for Mono) and Debian packaging scripts inherited from upstream. They do not provide a working Linux version.
The commit history shows no development on top of Open Dental. The code was imported once and never changed.
How developers can use it
Read how Open Dental 21.2 worked
- Browse the source on GitHub. Start with the OpenDental project for the user interface and OpenDentBusiness for data and business rules.
- For historical GPL-era code, prefer Open Dental Software’s own public repository (github.com/OpenDental/opendental) over an unofficial copy.
Build notes, if you must
- You need Windows, Visual Studio with the .NET Framework 4.7.2 targeting pack, and a MySQL server for the database.
- The repository has no build instructions for Windows. It bundles third-party DLLs whose origin cannot be confirmed from this copy, so build only in an isolated test environment with fictional data.
Why a clinic should not use it
- It is unofficial and unmaintained since 2021. Five years of bug fixes, security updates and changes to integrations are missing.
- Open Dental’s support, updates and online services come only from Open Dental Software. The licence notice in the code itself says the software is distributed through authorised purchase with a registration key for each practice location.
- No one is responsible for the safety of patient data in this copy.
- It is Windows-only, with no web, cloud or mobile edition, whatever the name suggests.
OpenDentalFork vs alternatives
| Program | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open Dental | Shareware (conditionally free) | The official, current product with a free evaluation version; Windows |
| OpenEMR | Free, open source (GPL) | Maintained web-based EHR and practice management; no built-in dental chart |
| Dental Clinic Management for Odoo | Free, open source (AGPL) | Dental module for the Odoo business platform |
See also our overview of dental practice management software.
FAQ
Is there an OpenDentalFork Cloud Edition download?
No. The product does not exist. The only related item is this four-commit source copy of Open Dental 21.2 on GitHub.
Is Open Dental still open source?
No. Versions before 24.4 were released under the GPL, and from 24.4 the licence is proprietary.
Can I run OpenDentalFork in the cloud or on iPhone?
No. It is the Windows desktop client of Open Dental 21.2 with a MySQL database.
Is it safe to use an Open Dental fork in my practice?
We advise against it. Use the official Open Dental from its developer, or a maintained open-source system such as OpenEMR.
Last checked against official sources: 26 September 2026 (developer website: github.com). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in a clinic.
