Before purchasing a new intraoral scanner, panoramic X-ray system, imaging platform, or other dental technology, confirm that your computers, network, server, storage, security, and software can support it.
For dental practices with 10-40 employees, involve your IT provider before signing the contract, not after the equipment arrives.
Use this four-step framework:
Requirements → Compatibility → Infrastructure → Support
1. Get the Technical Requirements First
Before purchasing the equipment, request the vendor's current technical requirements.
These may include:
- Processor and memory requirements
- Storage requirements
- Windows compatibility
- Network requirements
- USB or other connections
- Imaging software requirements
- Internet requirements
- Server or cloud requirements
Then compare those requirements with your existing environment.
Don't assume a workstation is adequate simply because it works well with your current equipment.
2. Confirm Compatibility With Existing Dental Systems
New technology rarely operates completely independently.
Ask whether it needs to interact with:
- Dentrix
- Dexis
- Open Dental
- Eaglesoft
- Existing imaging software
- Patient records
- Other clinical equipment
Determine how images or information will move between systems.
Ask the vendor:
"Exactly what needs to integrate with our existing dental software?"
Then have your IT provider review the answer.
3. Check the Infrastructure
The equipment may meet your clinical needs while creating unexpected IT requirements.
Before installation, review:
- Workstation performance
- Network capacity
- Wi-Fi coverage
- Server performance
- Available storage
- Internet reliability
- Backup requirements
- Cybersecurity
- Physical network connections
For example, adding imaging equipment that generates large files may affect storage and backup requirements.
Finding that out before installation gives you time to plan.
4. Decide Who Supports What
This is one of the most important questions to answer before purchasing.
Ask:
Who supports the equipment?
Who supports the software?
Who supports the workstation?
Who supports the network connection?
Who handles integration problems?
The equipment vendor and IT provider may both be involved.
Make sure everyone understands their responsibilities before the new system goes live.
The 7-Question Technology Purchase Check
Before approving new dental technology, ask:
- What are the technical requirements?
- Will our existing computers support it?
- Will it work with our dental software?
- Does our network need changes?
- Will we need additional storage or backup capacity?
- Are there cybersecurity considerations?
- Who provides support when something stops working?
These questions can uncover additional costs before the purchase is finalized.
Don't Forget the Total Technology Cost
The purchase price may not represent the complete technology cost.
A new system could also require:
New equipment + Workstation upgrades + Network changes + Storage + Installation + Ongoing support
That doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it.
It means the practice should understand the complete technology requirements before making the decision.
Why Dental Practices Choose IT Services of Utah
IT Services of Utah has supported businesses for more than 30 years and works with dental practices throughout St. George and Washington County, Utah.
Our team understands environments involving Dentrix, Dexis, Open Dental, Eaglesoft, panoramic X-ray equipment, intraoral scanners, workstations, servers, networks, and cybersecurity.
We can work with dental technology vendors to review requirements and help determine whether your existing IT environment is ready for new equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should we involve our IT provider in a dental equipment purchase?
Ideally, before signing the agreement. That provides time to identify computer, network, storage, security, or compatibility requirements.
Should we rely entirely on the equipment vendor for IT requirements?
The vendor should provide requirements for its product, but your IT provider understands the rest of your technology environment. Both may need to coordinate.
Can new dental equipment require computer upgrades?
Yes. Depending on the equipment and software requirements, new or upgraded workstations and other infrastructure may be necessary.
Buying New Dental Technology?
Don't wait until installation day to discover an IT problem.
Remember:
Requirements. Compatibility. Infrastructure. Support.
For dental practices with 10-40 employees in St. George and Washington County, Utah, IT Services of Utah can review the IT requirements of new dental technology before it is installed.
Schedule a Dental Technology Readiness Review with IT Services of Utah before your next major equipment purchase.
