EXACT Dental Software: A Practical Guide for UK Dental Teams

If you’ve worked in UK dentistry for any length of time, there’s a good chance you’ve logged into EXACT dental software. Developed by Software of Excellence (SOE), EXACT is one of the most widely used practice management systems in UK dental practices, handling everything from appointments and patient records to clinical charting, treatment plans and reporting.

At Dental Recruit Network we place dental nurses, hygienists, therapists and associates into practices across the UK every week — and “Do you know EXACT?” is one of the most common questions practices ask us. This guide covers what the software does, how charting works, how to get trained, and why confidence on the system makes such a difference to your career.

What is SOE EXACT dental software?

EXACT is a dental practice management system (PMS) built by Software of Excellence. It is typically installed on the practice’s own network (on-premise) and brings the clinical and business sides of a practice into one place. Day to day, teams use it for:

• Appointment book — booking, recalls, chair and clinician diaries.
• Patient records — medical histories, notes, correspondence and consent.
• Clinical charting — base charting, treatment charting and periodontal charting.
• Treatment planning — NHS and private plans, estimates and courses of treatment.
• Payments and reporting — patient accounts, practice performance and productivity reports.

You’ll often hear people search for it as “dental exact software”, “SOE EXACT” or simply “EXACT”. They all mean the same system. Practices may run different versions (such as V12 or V13), so screens can look slightly different from one surgery to the next — something worth knowing if you work as a locum.

EXACT dental software charting

Charting is where clinical staff spend most of their time in EXACT, and it’s the area practices care about most when they bring in a new team member. Accurate, fast charting keeps the clinician moving and the records compliant.

Base and treatment charting

The Chart tab shows the patient’s dentition. Existing restorations and conditions are recorded as the base chart, and proposed work is charted against the relevant teeth and surfaces to build the treatment plan. Many practices configure quick charting and quick plans so the most frequently used items are one click away.

Periodontal charting and BPE

EXACT supports full perio charting — pocket depths, recession, bleeding and mobility — plus recording BPE scores. Perio entry is largely keyboard-driven, so learning the shortcuts makes a real difference to speed and accuracy, especially for nurses charting on behalf of a dentist or hygienist.

EXACT dental software training

The good news is that EXACT is very learnable — most nurses become comfortable within a few sessions. The best routes to EXACT dental software training are:

• In-practice training — the practice manager or an experienced nurse walking you through their set-up. This is the most valuable because it reflects how that practice works.
• Official SOE training and help resources — SOE provides training, help articles and support to its customer practices. Ask your practice how to access them under their licence.
• Shadowing — sitting in on a busy list and watching how charting, notes and plans flow in real time.
• Practice and repetition — focus first on the appointment book, charting and clinical notes; reports and admin can come later.

If you’re new to dentistry or returning after a break, tell us. When we arrange placements through Dental Recruit Network, we match your software experience to the practice so you’re never thrown in at the deep end.

Practices don’t just want a qualified nurse — they want someone who can sit down, log in and keep the list running.

Is there an EXACT dental software free download?

It’s one of the most searched questions, so let’s be clear: EXACT is licensed commercial software sold to dental practices. There is no legitimate public free download for individuals. Any site offering a “free EXACT download” should be treated with real caution — unofficial installers can carry malware, and patient-record software is the last thing you want compromised.

If you want to get hands-on experience, the safe routes are:

• Learning on the system at your current practice.
• Asking for a training or demo login through the practice that holds the licence.
• Practices evaluating a new PMS should contact Software of Excellence directly for a demonstration.

Why EXACT skills matter for your dental career

Because EXACT is used in so many UK practices, being confident on it is one of the most transferable skills a dental professional can have:

• Locum nurses and hygienists get booked more often — practices prefer people who need no system induction.
• Associates settle into new practices faster when charting and notes are second nature.
• Practice managers and receptionists with EXACT reporting skills are in demand for admin and leadership roles.

When you register with DRN, we record the practice management systems you know — EXACT, and others — so we can put you forward for the roles where you’ll hit the ground running.