The verdict in three sentences
A dentist in Dakar can equip themselves with custom management software between 5,000,000 and 15,000,000 FCFA, or opt for a lighter monthly subscription at entry. The decisive features are multi-chair scheduling, patient reminders and clear dental quote generation. Expect a 3 to 5 month timeline for a custom rollout aligned to the practice's procedures and pricing.
Custom or subscription: which model
Subscription starts low but accumulates; custom demands upfront capital then narrows to maintenance. The tipping point depends on the number of practitioners and the length of use.
| Criterion | Subscription | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0-500,000 FCFA | 5,000,000-15,000,000 FCFA |
| Monthly cost | 50,000-150,000 FCFA | 100,000-250,000 FCFA (maintenance) |
| Procedure customisation | Low | Full |
| Integrated imaging | Depends on plan | Custom |
| Data ownership | Vendor | Practice |
| Timeline | Immediate | 3-5 months |
| 3-year total | 2,300,000-5,900,000 FCFA | 8,600,000-24,000,000 FCFA |
Features by tier
The scope splits into three levels, from the essential core to the full suite with imaging and financial steering.
| Feature | Starter | Growth | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patient records | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-chair scheduling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SMS/WhatsApp reminders | Option | Yes | Yes |
| Quotes and treatment plans | Basic | Full | Full |
| Imaging and X-rays | No | Option | Integrated |
| Wave/OM payment tracking | No | Yes | Yes |
| Financial dashboard | No | Basic | Advanced |
| Range (FCFA) | 5-7 M | 8-11 M | 12-15 M |
Mini case study
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Dr Ndiaye runs a 3-chair practice in Dakar managing 900 active patients. The current subscription at 120,000 FCFA/month costs 4,320,000 FCFA over 3 years without structured quotes or Wave tracking. Custom Growth software at 9,000,000 FCFA, plus 150,000 FCFA/month maintenance, comes to 14,400,000 FCFA over 3 years, but reminders cut missed appointments and accepted quotes rise: an estimated 2,500,000 FCFA/year gain justifies the gap from year two.
FAQ
Can Wave and Orange Money payments be integrated? Yes, Wave and Orange Money payment tracking integrates into the billing module to reconcile quotes, procedures and receipts. It is an expected standard in Dakar in 2026.
Are WhatsApp reminders possible? Yes, via the WhatsApp Business API, alongside SMS. Reminders clearly reduce missed appointments, which are very costly for a chair-limited practice.
Do we need imaging from the start? Not necessarily. Many practices start on Starter or Growth, then add integrated imaging in Premium when volume justifies it.
How long is deployment? Between 3 and 5 months for a custom tool, including patient record migration and team training. A Starter core can be operational faster.
Does the practice stay data owner? In custom, yes, entirely. In subscription, check the reversibility clause and data export before committing.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your chair count, needs (imaging, Wave/OM, quotes) and indicative budget for a tailored estimate. Detailed quote within 48 h. 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.
