- Standard
- NABH Certification Standards for Entry Level Certification of Dental Clinics, 1st Edition (2023)
- Eligibility
- Outpatient dental clinics with up to 8 chairs — Category A (1–4 chairs), Category B (5–8 chairs)
- NABH fees
- ₹1,000 application + ₹10,000 (Cat. A) or ₹14,000 (Cat. B) for 2 years, plus 18% GST
- Validity
- 2 years — apply for renewal 6 months before expiry
- Before applying
- Standards implemented for at least 3 months
Who it is for
This certification is designed for outpatient dental clinics with up to eight chairs, in two categories:
- Category A — 1 to 4 chairs
- Category B — 5 to 8 chairs
If you have more chairs, in-patient beds or a teaching institute, use full DHSP accreditation.
The process
- Buy the entry-level dental standards.
- Implement them for at least three months.
- Register on the NABH website and apply online.
- Pay the certification fee on the NABH portal.
- NABH schedules an on-site assessment after reviewing your documents.
- Close any non-conformities with evidence.
- Certification is granted for two years; apply for renewal six months before it expires.
NABH fees
| Item | Category A (1–4 chairs) | Category B (5–8 chairs) |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | ₹1,000 | ₹1,000 |
| Certification fee (2 years) | ₹10,000 | ₹14,000 |
| Focus assessment (if needed) | ₹15,000 | ₹15,000 |
| Certificate re-issue | ₹6,000 | ₹6,000 |
Plus 18% GST.
A practical preparation checklist
- Sterilisation area with a clear dirty-to-clean flow, an autoclave log with chemical indicators on every cycle and periodic biological indicator tests, and dated, sealed pouches.
- Infection control — hand-hygiene points, PPE, surface disinfection between patients, waterline flushing routine.
- Radiation — AERB registration for your intraoral X-ray or OPG on the eLORA portal, lead apron and thyroid collar, warning signage.
- Consent and estimates — written consent for extractions, surgical procedures, implants and orthodontic treatment.
- Records — medical history (diabetes, cardiac conditions, anticoagulants, allergies), charting, treatment notes and prescriptions.
- Emergency kit — adrenaline, oxygen and other emergency medicines as per your policy, checked monthly, with staff trained in basic life support.
- Biomedical waste — colour-coded segregation, sharps containers and an agreement with the authorised treatment facility.
- Licences — clinical establishment registration where your state requires it, biomedical waste authorisation, AERB registration and fire safety compliance.
We help dental clinics set up each of these without slowing down the practice, then run a mock assessment before you apply. Read the full NABH guide for dental clinics.
Frequently asked questions
What is NABH entry-level certification for dental clinics?
It is a two-year NABH certification for outpatient dental clinics with up to eight chairs, assessed against the 1st Edition entry-level standards for dental clinics. It focuses on the essentials — sterilisation, infection control, patient safety, consent and records.
How much does NABH certification cost for a dental clinic?
NABH charges a ₹1,000 application fee plus a two-year certification fee of ₹10,000 for clinics with 1–4 chairs or ₹14,000 for 5–8 chairs, plus 18% GST. Focus assessments, if needed, cost ₹15,000.
How long does it take a dental clinic to get NABH entry-level certification?
NABH requires three months of implementation before applying. Most single-location clinics we work with are ready to apply after that period, and the full process typically takes four to six months.
Should I choose entry-level or full DHSP accreditation?
Entry-level suits single-location clinics up to eight chairs that want recognition quickly and affordably. Full DHSP accreditation suits larger practices, dental hospitals and teaching institutes, carries a four-year cycle and is the stronger credential for insurers and institutions.
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.
Related
- 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.
- AERB licence (X-ray, CT, dental X-ray)AERB approvals for X-ray, dental X-ray, CT and interventional radiology via eLORA: registration vs licence, steps and what NABH checks.
- Biomedical waste authorisationBiomedical waste authorisation under the BMW Rules 2016: colour coding, CBWTF agreements, the 30 June annual report and what NABH checks.
- NABH Accreditation for Dental Clinics: Entry-Level vs DHSP 3rd Edition (2026)How dental clinics get NABH: entry-level (up to 8 chairs) vs DHSP 3rd Edition, fees, sterilisation checklist, AERB and timelines.