Key takeaways
- Entry-level dental certification: up to 8 chairs, valid 2 years, ₹1,000 + ₹10,000 (1–4 chairs) or ₹14,000 (5–8 chairs) plus GST.
- DHSP 3rd Edition (released 9 May 2023): 4-year cycle, surveillance at 21–24 months, fees from ₹5,000 + ₹15,000 a year.
- Instrument reprocessing with a one-way flow and validated autoclave cycles is the single most scrutinised area.
- Dental X-ray, OPG and CBCT units need AERB approval through eLORA before NABH.
Two routes compared
| Entry-level dental clinic certification | DHSP accreditation, 3rd Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Outpatient clinics, up to 8 chairs | Clinics, dental hospitals, teaching institutes |
| Categories | A: 1–4 chairs; B: 5–8 chairs | Section A (with/without in-patient beds); Section B (up to 15 chairs) |
| Standard | Entry-level dental standards, 1st Edition (2023) | DHSP 3rd Edition, released 9 May 2023 |
| NABH fees (+GST) | ₹1,000 + ₹10,000 / ₹14,000 for 2 years | From ₹5,000 + ₹15,000 a year |
| Validity | 2 years | 4 years; surveillance at 21–24 months |
The 2nd Edition DHSP standards closed to fresh and renewal applications on 31 December 2023, so all new dental accreditation is under the 3rd Edition.
Full fee table for DHSP
| Facility | Application | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 chairs | ₹5,000 | ₹15,000 |
| 4–10 chairs | ₹15,000 | ₹40,000 |
| 11–15 chairs | ₹20,000 | ₹60,000 |
| Larger, without in-patients | ₹30,000 | ₹1,00,000 |
| Larger, with in-patients | ₹40,000 | ₹1,50,000 |
The dental NABH checklist
Instrument reprocessing (the area that decides most results)
- One-way flow: receiving and cleaning → inspection and packing → sterilisation → sterile storage
- Ultrasonic cleaner or manual cleaning procedure with PPE
- Autoclave log for every cycle with chemical indicators; periodic biological indicator tests; Bowie-Dick or equivalent tests where the autoclave type requires them
- Pouches dated and sealed; storage that keeps them dry and clean
- Traceability of instrument sets to patients for surgical procedures
Chairside infection control
- Hand hygiene at every patient contact, PPE including eye protection
- Surface disinfection and barriers between patients
- Waterline flushing routine and periodic checks
- Impressions disinfected before going to the lab
Radiation safety
- AERB approval through eLORA for intraoral X-ray, OPG and CBCT units
- Lead aprons and thyroid collars, warning signage and safe operator position
Patients
- Medical history updated at each course of treatment — diabetes, cardiac conditions, anticoagulants, allergies, pregnancy
- Written consent for extractions, surgery, implants, sedation and orthodontic treatment
- Treatment plans and estimates explained before treatment begins
Emergencies
- Emergency drug kit and oxygen, checked and logged monthly
- Staff trained in basic life support; a written emergency procedure
Biomedical waste
- Colour-coded segregation; sharps in puncture-proof containers; extracted teeth and amalgam handled as per the rules
- An agreement with the authorised treatment facility and records of handover
People and quality
- Registrations of dentists and qualifications of assistants and hygienists
- Training records; a few quality indicators reviewed monthly (for example, sterilisation failures, patient complaints, post-operative complications)
Typical timeline
| Month | Work |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gap analysis; licences (clinical establishment registration where applicable, AERB, biomedical waste) |
| 1–2 | Procedures, consent forms and records formats; CSSD flow corrections |
| 2–4 | Training and three months of implementation with logs and audits |
| 4–5 | Mock assessment; online application; NABH on-site assessment |
Dental accreditation is one of our two core specialities. We set up the system around how your clinic actually runs. Ask for a free gap assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Is NABH accreditation available for dental clinics?
Yes. Dental clinics with up to eight chairs can get NABH entry-level certification, and dental clinics, dental hospitals and teaching institutes can be accredited under the Dental Healthcare Service Providers (DHSP) 3rd Edition standards.
What is the NABH fee for a dental clinic in 2026?
Entry-level certification costs ₹1,000 application plus ₹10,000 for 1–4 chairs or ₹14,000 for 5–8 chairs, for two years. DHSP accreditation starts at ₹5,000 application and ₹15,000 a year for 1–3 chairs. GST of 18% is extra.
How long does NABH take for a dental clinic?
NABH requires three months of implementation before applying. Most single-location clinics complete entry-level certification in four to six months; DHSP accreditation for larger practices usually takes six to nine months.
What do NABH assessors check in a dental clinic?
Mainly instrument reprocessing and sterilisation records, chairside infection control, waterline management, radiation safety and AERB approval, consent and estimates, clinical records with medical history, emergency preparedness and biomedical waste segregation.
Official sources
Fees and rules change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply.
Get a free gap assessment for your facility
Tell us your facility type, bed or chair count and city. Dr. Ashutosh Sharma will tell you which NABH programme fits, what it will cost and how long it will realistically take — before you commit to anything.
Read next
- Dental Clinic Sterilisation and Infection Control for NABH (DHSP 3rd Edition)What NABH's dental DHSP 3rd Edition standards require for infection control and sterilisation: 13 Core elements, autoclave tests, hand hygiene and waste.
- NABH Accreditation Cost in India (2026): Official Fees for Every ProgrammeNABH fees 2026 for hospitals, SHCO, entry-level, AYUSH, dental, eye, blood centres, imaging, clinics and labs, with GST and first-year examples.
- NABH Accreditation Process: 10 Steps from Gap Analysis to Certificate (2026)The NABH accreditation process in 10 steps: programme choice, gap analysis, documents, 3-month implementation, assessments and surveillance.
- Dental clinics & hospitals (DHSP)NABH DHSP 3rd Edition accreditation for dental clinics, hospitals and colleges: sections, fees by chairs, 4-year cycle and what assessors check.
- Entry-level dental clinics (up to 8 chairs)NABH entry-level certification for dental clinics with up to 8 chairs: 2-year fees of ₹1,000 + ₹10,000–₹14,000, process and a preparation checklist.