How to Evaluate the Best Alternatives to WinOMS

If you’re starting to look at alternatives to WinOMS, you’re probably not making that decision lightly.

Maybe your team is frustrated with outdated workflows. Maybe your imaging setup is too clunky. Or maybe it’s just the slow support and too many disconnected tools that finally pushed you to explore what else is out there.

Whatever the reason, the good news is: you’ve got options.

But how do you evaluate them in a way that actually leads to a better day-to-day experience—for you, your team, and your patients?

This post walks you through exactly what to look for when comparing alternatives to WinOMS, and how to think strategically about the process—so you don’t just switch, you actually upgrade.

First, Take Inventory of What’s Not Working

Before you start demoing new platforms, take a minute to get brutally honest about what’s driving this change.

Ask your team:

• What slows us down the most?

• What are we still doing manually that should be automatic?

• Where are patients or referrals falling through the cracks?

• What are we using outside our software to get things done?

These answers will give you the clearest lens for evaluating alternatives to WinOMS—and they’ll keep you from being dazzled by flashy features that don’t actually solve your core issues.

The Must-Have Features in alternatives to WinOMS

If you’re running a busy oral surgery practice, you know that generic dental software won’t cut it. A proper replacement needs to meet the demands of surgical workflows, not just hygiene recall.

So here’s what to look for when evaluating other platforms:

1. Built-in Cross-Coding for Dental and Medical Claims

Billing is one of the most complex parts of oral surgery—and it’s also where practices lose the most money.

Your next system should handle cross-coding natively. Not with workarounds. Not with third-party bolt-ons.

Look for software that:

• Links dental and health codes automatically

• Flags missing or mismatched codes

• Reduces claim rejection rates

• Helps your team submit faster and get paid sooner

DSN Cloud, for example, helps reduce errors and speeds up reimbursement with automation that directly supports dual coding workflows.

2. Referral Tracking That Doesn’t Feel Like Guesswork

Referrals are the heartbeat of an oral surgery practice. And yet, most practices track them using a mix of sticky notes, spreadsheets, and crossed fingers.

A strong WinOMS alternative should:

• Automatically track incoming referrals

• Show you where patients are coming from (and who’s sending them)

• Help you follow up and communicate with referring doctors

• Provide reporting on referral trends and conversion rates

It’s not just about getting more referrals. It’s about maximizing the ones you already have.

3. Pre-Built Surgical Workflows

This one’s huge. Your software should match how you actually work—not force your team into a general dental mold.

Look for platforms that come with ready-made workflows for:

• Wisdom teeth

• Implants and bone grafts

• Sedation and anesthesia

• Pre- and post-op instructions

• Follow-up scheduling

The goal is to reduce the need for manual prep and redundant clicks—so your team can move faster and make fewer mistakes. DSN Cloud includes these workflows out of the box for oral and maxillofacial surgery teams.

4. Real-Time, Multi-Location Data Access

If you have more than one location—or ever plan to—shared access to patient records becomes essential.

You’ll want software that provides:

• Centralized patient data (with no syncing delays)

• Instant updates across locations

• The ability to manage treatment plans, billing, and imaging from anywhere

• Role-based permissions to control who sees what

This is the kind of thing that saves practices hours per week, and helps eliminate duplicated work and version control issues.

5. Imaging That’s Built-In and Browser-Based

Still waiting 3 minutes to open a 3D image? Still switching between systems just to pull up a scan?

A real alternative to WinOMS should offer:

• 3D imaging inside the browser

• Compatibility with major imaging brands

• Fast image loading (think seconds, not minutes)

• Secure image sharing with referring providers

DSN Cloud offers one of the first cloud-based imaging tools of its kind, letting you view CBCT data from any cloud-enabled device, no downloads required

6. Built-In Compliance and Data Security

HIPAA compliance shouldn’t be a project you manage manually. Look for tools that take care of the hard stuff for you:

• Automated security updates

• Real-time audit trails

• Role-based access

• Data encryption at rest and in transit

You want a system that stays current with regulations without needing weekly IT involvement. And ideally, no server in the back closet.

7. Training and Support That Doesn’t Leave You Hanging

If you’ve ever waited on hold for over an hour with support (and you probably have), this one will hit home.

Ask:

• Is support based in the U.S.?

• Can we get someone live—by phone, chat, or email—during business hours?

• Will our team get hands-on training during onboarding?

• What does their help content and documentation look like?

With DSN Cloud, you get 12×5 U.S.-based support and on-site training to help your staff hit the ground running. It’s the kind of support that actually earns trust, not just checks a box.

What About Integrations?

Here’s the thing: no system will do everything natively. So the question isn’t “Does this do X?” but “How easily can I connect it with what we already use?”

Make sure any alternative to WinOMS offers:

• Integrations with your imaging systems, payment processors, eRx, and forms

• A team that can help with migration or setup

• Flexibility to grow with your practice (not limit it)

The fewer third-party tools you need, the better—but when you do need them, they should fit in seamlessly.

A Quick Word on Cost

It’s easy to focus on price tags—but it’s smarter to focus on total cost of inefficiency.

That includes:

• Time spent fixing rejected claims

• Manual entry work

• Delayed access to records

• Referral leakage

• Burnout from clunky tools

A modern platform might cost more upfront—but often pays for itself in time saved, cleaner processes, and happier staff.

Your Evaluation Process: What to Do Next

So how do you actually evaluate alternatives to WinOMS? Here’s a simple three-step path:

1. Create a List of “Must-Fix” Problems

Start with what’s not working in your current setup. Be specific. Don’t just say “billing”—say “we’re getting 15% of claims rejected because of cross-coding issues.”

2. Demo 2–3 Real Alternatives (Not 10)

Keep your shortlist short. You want depth, not breadth. Give each vendor enough time to show what matters most to you.

3. Get Feedback from Your Team

Have your front desk, clinical staff, and billing team weigh in. If your team doesn’t buy in, even the best software won’t work.

Why Many Practices Are Switching to DSN Cloud

If you’re exploring alternatives to WinOMS, DSN Cloud is one platform worth putting on your shortlist.

It’s built specifically for oral surgery, with:

• Pre-built OMS workflows

• Seamless cross-coding for medical and dental billing

• Cloud-based imaging

• Powerful referral tracking and reporting

• Centralized access across multiple offices

• Built-in compliance and automation

• U.S.-based support and on-site training

It’s not about being everything to everyone—it’s about being exactly right for specialty surgical teams.

Final Thoughts

Switching EHRs or practice management systems can feel daunting. And honestly? It should. You’re trusting this tool to power your day-to-day work, your patient experience, and your bottom line.

But when your current system starts costing you time, revenue, and clarity—it’s time to look elsewhere.

And if you’re comparing alternatives to WinOMS, make sure you’re not just replacing software. Make sure you’re improving the way your entire practice runs.

Want a better way to work?

Schedule a demo and see what it looks like when your software actually works with you—not against you.