Dental practices manage a mix of pay types, hourly hygienists, salaried administrative staff, visiting specialists, and sometimes contractors. A reliable payroll system needs to handle these differences accurately while supporting compliance, benefits, and scheduling across a busy clinical environment. The right payroll service can simplify tax filing, reduce administrative load, and integrate with the accounting or practice-management tools your office already uses. This guide highlights the best payroll solutions for dental practices of all sizes, focusing on accuracy, efficiency, and features that help your team stay focused on patient care.
Gusto
Best all-in-one payroll and HR platform for dental practices
Gusto is an excellent fit for dental practices seeking a complete payroll and HR platform. Whether you're a solo dentist or run a multi-operator group, Gusto provides full-service payroll with automated tax filing, onboarding, benefits administration, and time tracking in one intuitive system. Its integrations with popular accounting tools and clear pricing make it especially effective for dental offices that want to streamline administrative tasks and focus more on patient care.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with automatic tax filing and payments
Time tracking and PTO management for hourly staff (hygienists, assistants, front-desk)
New-hire onboarding and e-sign documentation
Benefits administration (health, dental, vision, 401(k))
Contractor payment options (for visiting specialists, locums)
Employee self-service portal for paystubs and tax forms
Multi-location support for dental groups
Integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, and practice management systems
Direct deposit and printed check support
Compliance alerts and reporting tools
Pros and Cons
Pros
Highly intuitive and easy to adopt for a busy dental office
Transparent, predictable pricing with no hidden fees
All-in-one system reduces the number of tools your practice needs
Great for teams with mixed pay types (hourly staff, contractors, dentists)
Free until you run your first payroll
Cons
Some advanced HR features require higher-tier plans
Benefits offerings vary by state and might need broker support
Designed for general SMBs—specific dental practice workflows may require custom setup
Pricing
Simple: $49/month + $6/person/month
Plus: $80/month + $12/person/month
Free trial: Yes — free until first payroll
Free plan: No
Transform your payroll processes with Gusto, a platform that's already the choice of over [acf field="customer_count" post_id="options"] businesses.
OnPay
Best payroll service for dental offices seeking straightforward, flexible pricing
OnPay is a payroll solution specifically cited for dental practices thanks to its flexibility, transparent pricing, and support for both employees and contractors. Ideal for solo dentists or small group practices, OnPay provides unlimited pay runs, tax filings, and contractor payments all in a clear monthly plan. For dental teams managing hourly hygienists, assistants, and full-time staff, OnPay offers a streamlined payroll experience with minimum friction.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with automated tax filing
Unlimited monthly pay runs (no extra per-pay run fee)
Support for W-2 employees and 1099 contractors
Multiple pay rates and job classifications (assistants, hygienists, dentists)
PTO tracking and time-off management
Employee self-service portal with paystub access
Benefits administration (health, retirement)
Integration with QuickBooks, Xero, and accounting software
Tax form generation (W-2s and 1099s)
Onboarding with digital documentation
Pros and Cons
Pros
Simple, affordable pricing ideal for small dental practices
Strong flexibility for practices with varying worker types
Easy to set up and manage with limited administrative staff
Unlimited pay runs – beneficial for payroll frequency and volume
Cons
Not as many HR or benefits tools as full-suite platforms
Benefits availability may vary by state or vendor
Interface is simpler – may feel less robust for very large practices
Fewer built-in workflow features for credential tracking or licensing
Pricing
$40/month + $6 per person (example small-business pricing)
Includes full-service payroll, tax filings, and contractor payments
Additional modules for time tracking and benefits available
SurePayroll
Best affordable payroll solution for dental practices
SurePayroll is an economical online payroll service designed for small businesses, including solo dental practices and small dental offices. It offers full-service payroll, automated tax filings, and support for straightforward payroll structures making it a practical solution for practices with a small staff and limited administrative resources. With a simple interface and clear pricing, SurePayroll helps dental practices run payroll reliably without excess cost or complexity.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with federal and state tax filing
Direct deposit and printable checks
Support for W-2 employees and contractors (1099)
Mobile payroll processing
Time clock and attendance add-ons
Employee self-service portal
W-2 and 1099 year-end filing
Integration with accounting software
Pros and Cons
Pros
Very affordable option for small dental offices
User-friendly for practice managers with limited payroll experience
Reliable tax filing and compliance support
Good match for offices with minimal payroll complexity
Cons
Limited HR and benefits administration tools
Few payroll-specific features tailored to dental practices (e.g., multi-site, variable pay rates)
Add-ons increase cost
Interface less modern than some newer platforms
Pricing
Base monthly fee + per-employee fee
Optional add-ons for time tracking and HR tools
Month-to-month contracts available
Discounts often offered for small business and dental practice clients
PayPro
Best payroll and HR solution for dental practices needing scalable tools
PayPro is a comprehensive payroll and HR platform well-suited for dental practices that plan to grow whether expanding to multiple locations, adding dental specialists, or integrating HR functions like benefits and performance management. With built-in payroll automation, contractor support, and strong reporting capabilities, PayPro helps dental teams manage increasing complexity while keeping payroll administration efficient and compliant.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with automated tax filing
Multi-location support and site-specific pay rules
Support for W-2 employees and 1099 contractors
Contractor and specialist payroll processing
Benefits administration and open enrollment
Time and attendance with scheduling for dental teams
Financial and billing integrations
Reporting tools for job-costing, profitability, and compliance
HR suite with onboarding and performance modules
Pros and Cons
Pros
Scalable solution for growing dental practices
Robust payroll and HR features in one platform
Flexible contractor and employee payroll handling
Strong reporting helps manage profitability and staffing
Cons
More expensive than basic payroll services
Implementation may take longer in small offices
Some features may be more than a small single-location practice needs
Custom pricing required
Pricing
Quote-based pricing depending on headcount and modules
Payroll and HR modules sold in bundles
Implementation and training included in most plans
Annual contracts commonly used for full-suite deployment
AllianceHCM
Best payroll and HR solution for large dental groups and specialty practices
AllianceHCM is a robust HR and payroll platform designed for dental groups, specialty practices (orthodontics, periodontics), and multi-location dental operations. Its suite supports complex scheduling, varying pay rates, specialist contractors, and compliance across sites. With dedicated account teams and deep integrations with practice management and billing software, AllianceHCM helps dental organizations streamline payroll and HR from one centralized platform.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with automated tax filing
Multi-site and multi-location support
Contractor and specialist payroll management
Benefits administration and retirement plan support
Time, attendance, and scheduling for dental clinics
Integrations with practice management and billing systems
HR tools including onboarding, performance, and documents
Reporting and analytics for labor, staffing, and profitability
Role-based permissions for clinical vs administrative teams
Pros and Cons
Pros
Tailored for large dental operations and specialty practices
Advanced scheduling and contractor support for complex staffing
Centralized payroll and HR for multi-site practices
Strong integrations with dental industry tools
Cons
Higher cost than small-practice payroll options
Implementation period may be longer
Overkill for single-location general dentist offices
Modules beyond payroll (HR, time) may require extra fees
Pricing
Custom quote based on number of locations, staff size, and modules
Payroll bundled with HR and time modules or sold separately
Training and onboarding included in most enterprise plans
Annual contract agreements typical
QuickBooks Payroll Core
Best payroll option for small dental offices already using QuickBooks accounting
QuickBooks Payroll Core is a smart choice for dental practices that already rely on QuickBooks for their accounting and want one integrated payroll tool. It automates tax filing, handles W-2 staff and contractor payments, and connects seamlessly to your existing books helping dental teams save time on payroll while keeping financial data aligned.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with automated federal and state tax filing
Direct deposit and contractor payment support
One-click sync with QuickBooks Online accounting
Employee self-service portal for pay stubs and tax forms
Multiple pay-rates for hygienists, assistants, and dentists
PTO and time tracking add-on available
Simple interface suited to small admin teams
Mobile payroll submission and approvals
Custom deduction and benefit setups
Year-end W-2 and 1099 generation
Pros and Cons
Pros
Seamless integration with QuickBooks accounting
Clear pricing structure
Reliable tax filing support for small teams
Good fit for dental offices with both staff and contractors
Administratively simple to set up and maintain
Cons
Not built exclusively for dental practices, may require manual tweaks
Add-ons (time tracking, benefits) can increase cost
Less HR functionality than full HR-payroll suites
May not meet needs of multi-location or larger practices
Commission or specialist pay structures may require custom setup
Pricing
Starts at $26.40/mo for the Core plan, plus $6.50 per employee/month
Higher tier plans (Premium/Plus) start at $60/mo plus $10 per employee/month
Optimized for small business under ~50 employees
Payroll Mate
Best desktop payroll software for small, budget-conscious dental practices
Payroll Mate is a simple, affordable desktop payroll software option ideal for very small dental practices that prefer a one-time purchase rather than a monthly subscription. It handles payroll calculations, tax withholdings, and year-end forms for W-2 employees and contractors. While it lacks the automation and HR tools of cloud-based systems, Payroll Mate is a reliable choice for dental offices that want complete control over payroll while keeping costs low.
Key Features
Desktop payroll software with one-time annual licensing
Supports W-2 and 1099 worker types
Automatic calculation of federal and state payroll taxes
Unlimited companies and unlimited employees per license
Multiple pay types (hourly, salary, specialist/contractor)
PTO accruals and custom deductions
Printable checks and payroll reports
W-2, W-3, 1099, and 941/944 support
No internet connection required for daily use
Local data control for practices with strict security policies
Pros and Cons
Pros
Very affordable compared to subscription payroll software
Unlimited employees—useful for growing practices
Good for offices that prefer local control and offline data storage
Simple, predictable one-time cost
Cons
No automated tax filing – practice must submit filings manually
No HR, benefits, or onboarding tools
Desktop-only; not ideal for multi-location dental groups
Interface is utilitarian and lacks modern UX
Pricing
One-time annual license fee (typically under $150/year)
Optional add-ons for e-filing and state tax modules
Multiple companies included at no added cost
Paychex
Best payroll solution for dental practices needing hands-on support and compliance guidance
Paychex is a strong option for dental practices that want dedicated payroll support, robust compliance tools, and a full suite of HR services. With flexible plan options, Paychex works well for both small dental offices and multi-location dental groups. Its combination of expert-led payroll processing, benefits administration, and advanced workforce tools makes it ideal for practices that want more personalized service than a self-service platform typically provides.
Key Features
Full-service payroll with automated tax filing
Dedicated payroll specialists available for support
Multi-location and multi-practice support
Time tracking, scheduling, and attendance tools
Benefits administration (health, dental, vision, retirement)
Employee onboarding and document management
Mobile app for managers and employees
Worker’s compensation integration
Analytics and custom payroll reporting
HR compliance guidance and resources
Pros and Cons
Pros
Hands-on payroll and compliance support
Highly scalable for growing or multi-location practices
Strong HR and workforce management features
Dedicated specialists help ensure accurate payroll for clinical staff
Cons
More expensive than basic payroll solutions
Pricing varies and is not publicly listed
Implementation time may be longer for small practices
May offer more functionality than some small offices need
Pricing
Custom quote based on practice size and service needs
Payroll typically sold in bundled HR and time-tracking packages
Month-to-month or annual contract options
Additional cost for benefits administration and HR services
FAQ
What percentage should payroll be in a dental office?
Most dental offices aim to keep total payroll expenses including wages, taxes, and benefits between 25% and 30% of collections. Practices with high hygiene production or expanded-function auxiliaries may trend slightly higher, while highly efficient or specialty practices may operate closer to the lower end of this range.
What is the best accounting software for dental offices?
Popular accounting tools for dental practices include QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Dentrix Ascend's integrated financial tools. Many practices also pair general accounting software with dental-specific platforms like Eaglesoft, Open Dental, or Curve Dental to manage treatment planning, billing, and patient payments alongside core bookkeeping.
How much should a payroll service cost?
Payroll services for small dental offices typically range from $40 to $120 per month plus $6–$12 per employee, depending on features such as automated tax filing, time tracking, benefits administration, and HR tools. Costs increase for multi-location practices or those requiring advanced compliance support or contractor payments.
Is it better to outsource payroll or do it myself?
Outsourcing is generally preferred for dental practices because payroll involves multi-state regulations, employment tax deadlines, benefit deductions, and strict healthcare-related compliance. A payroll service reduces administrative time, minimizes errors, and lowers the risk of IRS penalties especially for practices without a dedicated office manager or HR specialist.
Who has the best payroll services?
The strongest payroll solutions for dental offices include platforms that combine automated tax filing, time tracking, onboarding, and HR tools in a single system. Many practices choose all-in-one services like Gusto because they streamline compliance, simplify onboarding for hygienists and assistants, and reduce manual administrative tasks.