The verdict in three sentences
A Dakar dental clinic produces 750 MB of digital X-rays per patient per year, which makes a digital patient record indispensable. Cloud storage at 45,000 FCFA/year is five times cheaper than a local RAID server at 250,000 FCFA, with no disk-failure risk. The right software manages the multi-session treatment plan, Wave deposits (50% at signature) and automatic scaling reminders.
Cloud or local server: the real math
Practitioners often hesitate out of fear of the cloud. Yet over time, the cloud wins on cost, security and remote access. A local server requires a UPS, RAID disks, air conditioning and a technician. The cloud encrypts X-rays and backs them up automatically.
| Criterion | Local RAID server | Cloud storage |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 250,000 FCFA | 0 FCFA |
| Annual cost | 80,000 FCFA (maint.) | 45,000 FCFA |
| Backup | manual | automatic |
| Remote access | no | yes |
| Disk-failure risk | high | none |
| Data compliance | to manage | encryption included |
Treatment plan, deposits and 2026 prices
Dental care spreads over several sessions. The software tracks the quote, deposit and balance and follows up with the patient. The 50% Wave deposit at signature secures the clinic's cash flow and reduces abandoned treatments. Here are 2026 price orders of magnitude in Dakar (estimate).
| Procedure | 2026 price (FCFA) | Wave deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Scaling | 15,000 | direct payment |
| Composite (cavity) | 25,000 - 40,000 | 50% |
| Metal-ceramic crown | 95,000 - 130,000 | 50% |
| Full ceramic crown | 140,000 - 190,000 | 50% |
| Single implant | 280,000 - 450,000 | 50% |
| Orthodontics (per year) | 600,000 - 900,000 | Wave installments |
Mini case study
Dr Diop, a dental surgeon in Mermoz, places 4 implants a month at 350,000 FCFA. Without a deposit system, two in ten patients postpone or abandon after the quote. With the 50% Wave deposit at signature, abandonment drops to one in ten: he secures one extra implant per month, that is 350,000 FCFA of recovered revenue. The software and cloud cost him about 8,000 FCFA/month in total: the case is clear-cut.
FAQ
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Should I pick a foreign or a local solution?
Solutions like Logos Dental or Dentrix are complete but costly and poorly suited to Wave payment. A local solution natively integrates Wave and Orange Money deposits, SMS reminders in French and the Dakar price list, often at a lower monthly cost.
Is the cloud really safe for medical X-rays?
Yes, provided data is encrypted and hosted in line with law 2008-12 on personal data. The cloud backs up automatically, which a local server rarely does reliably.
How do scaling reminders work?
The software schedules an automatic SMS reminder six months after the last scaling at 15,000 FCFA, bringing a share of patients back into the active pipeline and smoothing the clinic's revenue.
Can orthodontic payment be spread out?
Yes, an orthodontic treatment of 600,000 to 900,000 FCFA can be split into monthly Wave installments, with automatic follow-up on late payments, making care accessible to more families.
How much storage should I plan per patient?
Expect about 750 MB of digital X-rays per patient per year. A clinic with 600 active patients stays well within a 45,000 FCFA/year cloud plan, panoramics included.
Let's talk about your project. We build your dental clinic software with cloud patient records and Wave deposits. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
