Dentally vs Principle: The all-in-one platform for New Zealand dental practices

Your practice management software should give you confidence, not create extra questions. Dentally brings clinical notes, patient communications, reporting and MoH workflows together in one secure, cloud-based platform.

Choosing between Principle and Dentally, or thinking about switching from your current practice management software? Our free migration assessment shows you exactly what Dentally could look like for your practice. No commitment, just clarity.

Built to make everyday life easier

The tools your team needs, without more tools to manage.

Smarter tools, built in from the start

The software you choose today should not hold you back tomorrow. Dentally's AI-powered tools are built directly into the platform, helping your team save time without relying on disconnected systems or expensive add-ons. From Clinical AI Notes to short notice filler, innovation is designed to fit naturally into the way your practice already works, making it easier to adopt and easier to benefit from.

Simplicity your team will appreciate

Great software should feel simple from the start. Dentally is designed to feel intuitive from day one, with clear workflows, less clicking and fewer barriers between your team and the task at hand. By bringing the tools you use every day into one connected platform, Dentally helps practices work more efficiently, train new team members more easily and stay focused on delivering exceptional patient care.

Connected clinical workflows

Clinical workflows are easier when everything your team needs is connected to the patient record. Dentally brings charting, clinical notes, imaging, treatment planning and patient communication into one platform, helping clinicians move through the appointment with less friction and giving patients a clearer, more connected experience.

Clearer records, treatment plans and financial visibility

New Zealand practices often manage different workflows across dentists, hygienists, private patients and patients receiving funded oral health services. Dentally helps keep clinical, financial, recall and patient communication workflows clearer, more connected and easier to review, so your team can spend less time piecing information together and more time supporting patients.

Built for New Zealand dental practices

From MoH treatment reports and prior approvals to OHSA, OHSA/HC and SDS workflows, Dentally is designed around the way New Zealand practices work. Our Claims Manager feature brings claim status, payments and outstanding balances into one clear view, helping teams reduce spreadsheet admin, simplify reconciliation and keep closer track of claim revenue.

A platform built for the long term

Choosing your next practice management system is a long-term decision. Dentally is backed by Henry Schein, giving your practice the benefit of ongoing investment, deep dental expertise and a platform designed to keep evolving with the needs of modern dentistry.

Trusted by dental practices across New Zealand

7. hrs

Saved a month, on average, with AI voice notes

$ +

Saved each year - through built-in Clinical AI notes*

% +

Recall effectiveness achieved by top-performing Dentally practices

$0.

Average cost to fill a short-notice slot (achieved by top-performing Dentally practices)

$ K

Average annual revenue increase since adopting Dentally Vision AI

.7 %

Average FTA rate across Dentally customers

	Dentally	Principle
Cloud-based software
Central claims tracking and reconciliation		Confirm with provider
Online appointment booking
Patient portal
Built-in Clinical AI Notes
Built-in imaging software (can annotate x-rays within tool)
Short notice filler
New Zealand MoH workflows supported (OHSA, OHSA/HC and SDS)
Reporting & analytics
Unlimited users included
Unlimited data storage
Wide partner and integration ecosystem
Long-term support	Backed by Henry Schein	Privately Owned

Dentally

Cloud-based software

Central claims tracking and reconciliation

Online appointment booking

Patient portal

Built-in Clinical AI Notes

Built-in imaging software (can annotate x-rays within tool)

Short notice filler

New Zealand MoH workflows supported (OHSA, OHSA/HC and SDS)

Reporting & analytics

Unlimited users included

Unlimited data storage

Wide partner and integration ecosystem

Long-term support

Backed by Henry Schein

Principle

Cloud-based software

Central claims tracking and reconciliation

Confirm with provider

Online appointment booking

Patient portal

Built-in Clinical AI Notes

Built-in imaging software (can annotate x-rays within tool)

Short notice filler

New Zealand MoH workflows supported (OHSA, OHSA/HC and SDS)

Reporting & analytics

Unlimited users included

Unlimited data storage

Wide partner and integration ecosystem

Long-term support

Privately Owned

Compare with confidence

Whether you're choosing between Dentally and Principle or exploring a move from your current software, these are some of the questions practices ask before making a decision.

How will the team adapt to a new system?

Change can feel like a big step, especially when your team is already busy. Dentally is designed to feel intuitive from day one, with clear workflows, simple navigation and less friction across everyday tasks. Dentally Academy, our eLearning platform, also gives your team practical training they can complete around the demands of a busy practice, helping everyone build confidence at their own pace.

What is included from the start?

When comparing systems, it is worth looking beyond the headline features and asking what is included, what needs an add-on and what may create extra cost later. Dentally includes capabilities such as Clinical AI Notes, short notice filler, online booking, automated recalls and reporting within the platform experience, so your team has fewer tools to manage and more of what they need in one place.

How will MoH workflows be managed?

MoH administration can become time-consuming when treatment reports, prior approvals and claim activity are managed across multiple systems or manual processes. Dentally Claims Manager brings these workflows into one clear view, helping practices see what is ready to submit, what has been paid and what remains outstanding. With support for OHSA/HC and SDS activity, bundled claim summaries and clearer reconciliation, teams can reduce spreadsheet admin and the risk of missed submissions.

What support will we get if we decide to move?

If you choose Dentally, you are not left to manage the move alone. Our migration and onboarding teams guide your practice through the process, from planning and data transfer to training and go-live. With customer success and local support available when you need it, your team has the guidance to make the transition feel clear and manageable.

Why My Hills Dentist switched to Dentally

My Hills Dentist wanted a practice management system that could help the team work more efficiently, reduce admin pressure and keep the day moving. After migrating to Dentally, the practice found it easier to manage everyday workflows, support clinical admin and give the team more time back. Here’s what the practice said about the migration:

Clinical AI note-taking has been a game changer. The clinician can talk through the relevant information, and the AI helps organise it into structured clinical notes. This creates a more efficient workflow and helps reduce the time clinicians spend typing up their notes

Dr. David Lee

My Hills Dentist

Explore the full story

Where Dentally makes the real difference

Clinical AI Notes

Clinical AI Notes work in the background so clinicians do not have to slow down. Notes are fast, accurate and easy to review, helping reduce after-hours admin and giving clinicians more time back in their day. Unlike systems that rely on separate AI note-taking subscriptions, Dentally brings this capability into the practice management experience. Fewer tools to manage. Fewer costs to justify. Less friction for the team.

Claims Manager

Know exactly where every claim stands. Dentally Claims Manager makes it easier to compare expected and received payments, identify outstanding amounts and manage patient and funder balances. With clearer reconciliation built into the workflow, your team can resolve differences faster and protect practice revenue.

Dentally Vision AI

Dentally Vision AI connects imaging and practice management in one workflow, helping clinicians acquire, review and annotate x-rays and images within the patient record. Practices using Dentally Vision AI have increased their annual revenue by an average of $250,000, helping turn clearer clinical insights into better patient conversations and increased treatment acceptance.

See why practices choose Dentally

After two years of searching, I finally found Dentally and have not looked back. We are seeing more patients with less stress. Would I recommend Dentally to my peers? The answer is a definite yes.

Dr Wendy Hu

WYP Dental

Since implementing Dentally, it has revolutionised our entire practice, from records to x-rays, automation to digitising the entire workflow.

Dr. Cihad G. Atlihan

Atlihan Dental Surgery

Moving to Dentally was a very well-orchestrated process. The best thing about the transition was the use of the Dentally sandbox for the training… we had the opportunity to practice in a ‘real world’ sense.

Dr Robert Honeybone

Mawson Dental Care

Dentally has exceeded our expectations by improving the efficiency of our practice and supporting a higher standard of care for our patients.

Dr Lisa Killmore

Coolamon Family Dental

Dentally has helped us reduce admin time for the team and our patients, while supporting stronger patient loyalty from the start.

Dr. Jenny Liu

Happy Dentistry

Frequently asked questions

Answers to common questions about comparing, choosing and moving to Dentally

What is the difference between Dentally and Principle?

Dentally and Principle are both cloud-based dental practice management systems designed to help practices manage appointments, patient records and day-to-day workflows. Dentally includes built-in Clinical AI Notes, Short Notice Filler and clear reporting tools, helping practices reduce admin and keep key information connected in one place.

What is Dentally Claims Manager?

Dentally Claims Manager brings MoH and ACC claim activity into one place, helping practices track claim progress, payments and outstanding balances. This makes reconciliation easier, reduces manual admin and gives teams clearer visibility over claim revenue.

Does Dentally include Clinical AI notes?

Yes. Dentally Clinical AI Notes are built into the Dentally experience, helping clinicians create accurate notes faster and reduce time spent on documentation. Because Clinical AI Notes are included within Dentally, practices can access AI-powered clinical note-taking without the extra cost and complexity of a separate add-on.

How does Dentally support New Zealand MoH workflows?

Dentally supports New Zealand MoH workflows through claim management tools designed to help practices manage treatment reports, prior approvals and claim summaries. Dentally supports workflows such as OHSA/HC and SDS, helping teams track what is completed, what is in progress and what is ready to submit.

How easy is it to report on practice performance in Dentally?

Dentally's reporting tools are designed to be straightforward and easy to use, helping teams quickly access the information they need without navigating complex workflows. From financial performance and appointments to patient activity and practice trends, Dentally makes it easier to find, understand and act on key practice data.

How quickly can cancelled appointments be filled with Dentally?

Dentally's Short Notice Filler automatically contacts patients who want to be seen sooner when a cancellation occurs. As of 2026, the average slot fills in under 40 minutes.

Is Dentally suitable for Greenfield dental practices?

Yes. Dentally is a strong fit for Greenfield dental practices because it gives new teams a cloud-based platform from day one, with online booking, patient communications, reporting, Clinical AI Notes, Dentally Vision and onboarding support to help set up efficient workflows from the start.

How long does it take to migrate from Principle to Dentally?

Migration timelines vary depending on the size of your practice and the volume of data involved. Dentally’s dedicated onboarding team manages the process from start to finish, ensuring your patient records and practice data are transferred securely before anything goes live.

Will my patient data be safe during migration?

Yes. Data security is central to the migration process. Your patient records, treatment history and practice data are transferred securely, and nothing goes live until your team has confirmed everything is in order. Dentally is compliant with relevant data protection regulations across all markets it operates in and that includes Australia.

Where is my practice data stored with Dentally?

All practice and patient data is stored in Australia. This means your data never leaves the country, giving you and your patients confidence that their information is held locally, securely and in line with Australian data regulations.

What training and support does Dentally provide?

Every new practice receives dedicated onboarding support from the Dentally team. Dentally Academy provides structured online training that your team can work through at their own pace. An Australia-based support team is also available to answer questions immediately, so you always have someone on hand when you need them.

Why does long-term backing matter when choosing practice management software?

Practice management software is a long-term decision. Dentally is backed by Henry Schein, giving practices access to continued investment, dental expertise and a platform designed to keep evolving with the needs of modern dentistry.

How is the $1,500+ annual saving with Dentally Clinical AI Notes calculated?

The estimate compares Dentally’s built-in Clinical AI Notes with the published price of a separate practice-level AI documentation subscription. As of September 2026, Heidi listed its Practice plan at AUD $130 per user, per month, billed annually and excluding applicable sales taxes. This equates to AUD $1,560 per user each year. Because Clinical AI Notes is built into Dentally, eligible practices may avoid the cost and complexity of managing a separate AI note-taking subscription.

Are you ready to upgrade to Dentally?

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Practice Management Software