Data Sources
How OpenWide tracks NHS dentist availability using the ODS ORD API, Dentally real-time API, and NHS regional acceptance datasets.
Where our data comes from
OpenWide combines three primary data sources to show which NHS dental practices are currently accepting new patients, with real-time appointment availability where supported:
- NHS Organisation Data Service (ODS) ORD API — the complete register of NHS dental practices in England
- Dentally API — real-time appointment slot availability for connected practices
- NHS regional acceptance datasets — accepting_adults, accepting_children, and referral_only status matched by ODS code
Data source inventory
| Data Source | What It Provides | Update Frequency | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS ODS ORD API (role code RO110) | Complete register of NHS dental practices — ODS code, name, address, postcode, active status | Daily automated sync | All NHS dental practices in England |
| Dentally API | Real-time appointment slot availability — dates, times, practitioner, appointment type | Real-time (60-second cache) | Practices using Dentally software |
| NHS regional acceptance datasets | Patient intake status — accepting_adults, accepting_children, referral_only, matched by ODS code | Daily automated sync | London boroughs (England-wide expansion in progress) |
NHS Organisation Data Service (ODS) ORD API
The NHS Organisation Data Service maintains the authoritative register of all NHS organisations in England. OpenWide queries the ODS ORD API using primary role code RO110 (NHS dental practices) to fetch every active dental provider.
Each practice record includes its unique ODS code, which OpenWide uses as the primary key for matching across all other data sources. The sync runs daily and processes the full paginated dataset (approximately 10,000+ practices).
API endpoint: https://directory.spineservices.nhs.uk/ORD/2-0-0/organisations?PrimaryRoleId=RO110
Dentally Real-Time Availability API
For practices that use Dentally practice management software and have connected their account to OpenWide, we fetch real-time appointment availability via the Dentally API. This shows actual bookable appointment slots — dates, times, practitioner names, and appointment types.
Availability data is cached for 60 seconds to balance freshness with API performance. Patients can book directly into available slots through OpenWide without needing to phone the practice.
Coverage: Dentally-connected practices only. Not all listed practices have real-time availability — those that do show a “Live availability” indicator on their listing.
NHS Regional Acceptance Datasets
NHS regional datasets provide acceptance status for dental practices — specifically whether each practice is accepting new adult patients, accepting children, or is referral-only. OpenWide ingests these datasets and matches each record to our practice database using the ODS code as the join key.
This data currently covers London boroughs most comprehensively, with coverage expanding across England as more regional datasets become available. The sync runs daily to capture changes in practice acceptance status.
Acceptance status fields: accepting_adults, accepting_children, referral_only, nhs_status_unknown. Matched by ODS code.
Transparency and coverage limits
- Dentally real-time availability is only shown for practices that use Dentally software and have connected their account to OpenWide. Other practices show acceptance status from NHS datasets rather than live appointment slots.
- NHS regional acceptance data is currently most comprehensive for London. England-wide coverage is expanding as more regional datasets are integrated.
- Acceptance status comes from periodic syncs (daily), not a live feed. A practice’s status may change between syncs.
- ODS register covers all NHS dental practices in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland use different systems — coverage for devolved nations is expanding.
Have questions about our data or want to report an inaccuracy? Get in touch.