DENTAL CLINIC ESTABLISHMENT GUIDELINES IN INDIA

Do you know there is a big list of legal approvals which are required to run a dental clinic in India. Here is the checklist

Establishing a dental clinic is not an easy task. It demands time, patience and money.  Here are various checklists that help you and guide you in the establishment of a good clinic. These guidelines are according to the norms of the central government of India and are applicable all over India.

SPACE REQUIREMENT FOR ONE DENTAL UNIT

There should be adequate space between two dental units, enough for patient privacy, ease of movement of staff and proper sanitization

Space Area for one dental Chair	Includes Common and Operatory Areas	100 Sq ft/single chair Dental unit
Common area	Space for the reception, waiting area, toilets etc.	35 sq ft
Operatory	Dental Chair unit including washing area and bio medical waste	60 sq ft carpet area for 1 dental chair

Ancillary area/space for sterilization, dark room, storage, provision of compressed air and suction sterilization

30% of the carpet area is ideally required for 1 dental chair. For every additional chair 50% additional area required.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Following furniture and fixtures shall be available however the quantity shall be as per the size of the hospital/centre and workload so as to provide safe and secure patient care

The list below is a collection of some important infrastructure that every dental clinic should be equipped.

S.No.	ARTICLES
1.	Basic Computer and Printer
2.	Writing tables
3.	Chairs
4.	Almirah
5.	Waiting Benches/chairs
6.	Stretcher
7.	Instrument Trolley
8.	Screens/curtains
9.	Fans
10.	Tube Lights / CFL / Bulbs
11.	Wash Basin
12.	Colour coded bins for BioMedical Waste as per state regulations
13.	Small Refrigerator: 1

Stretcher and Screens/curtains are mandatory for dental hospitals

PRIMARY INSTRUMENT LIST

These are the primary instruments that every dental clinic should be equipped for proper and smooth functioning.

Sl.no.	Equipment
1.	Dental chair with attachments like air motor/air rotor/micro motor
2.	Autoclave
3.	Compressor
4.	Stethoscope
5.	Sphygmomanometer
6.	Suction Unit
7.	Oxygen cylinder with Ambu bag

ESSENTIAL INSTRUMENT LIST

The list below is mandatory in all dental clinics for conducting operative procedures. These essential instruments are vital in your day to day dental practice.

Sl. No.	Function	Instrument
1.	Essential Instrument	Mouth mirror Tweezer Probe Instrument tray
2.	Periodontology	Periodontal probe Scalers Curettes
3.	Oral Medicine and Radiology	X-ray equipment Lead apron
4.	Oral surgery	Elevators (various) Forceps Needle Holder Scissors –surgical BP blade and handle
5.	Conservative Dentistry	Filling instruments Cement spatula (metal/plastic) Waste receiver Dental hand pieces Excavators Explorers Glass slab/paper mixing pad Matrix retainer Protective glasses Cellophane strip
6.	Endodontic	Endo root canal explorer Endo root canal plugger Endo root canal spreader Endo root canal ruler Spirit lamp or similar instrument for heating purpose
7.	Prosthodontics	Impression trays Rubber bowl Ruler scale Spatula Carver Shade guide Finishing and polishing instruments (e.g Acrylic trimmer, etc) Wax Knife Wax Spatula Cement spatula (metal/plastic) Waste receiver Dental handpieces Pliers Glass slab/paper mixing pad Spirit lamp or similar instrument for heating purpose
8.	Orthodontics	Pliers Applicable armamentarium
9.	Pedodontics	Relevant instruments as per procedures listed under various specialties.
10.	Implant Dentistry	Implants with surgical kit. Physio dispenser Other surgical instruments
11.	First Stage Trauma care	Splinting material as per requirement.

ESSENTIAL DRUGS IN YOUR DENTAL CLINIC

These include both regular and emergency drugs that we use in dental clinics. Emergency drugs are a must in every dental clinic and help in protecting the patient during an emergency.

Never neglect to change old emergency drugs with new ones. 

EMERGENCY DRUGS
1.	Oxygen
2.	Epinephrine
3.	Atropine
4.	Ephedrine
5.	Hydrocortisone
6.	Nitroglycerine
7.	Antihistamine (diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine)
8.	Albuterol/Salbutamol
9.	Lorazepam
10.	Ethamsylate
11.	Hemostat sponge
12.	Glucose / dextrose-25% ampoule
ESSENTIAL DRUGS
1.	Local anaesthetic with vasoconstrictor
2.	Local anaesthetic without vasoconstrictor
3.	Alternate local anaesthetics

CONSUMABLES

Here is the list of consumables that help in day to day dental practice. Maintain a healthy quantity of these consumables in your dental clinic. 

Coming to quantity, the amount of consumables depends on individual's preference. Some dentists prefer to have a large consumable backup, while others purchase them in small quantities. It also depends on the size of your dental clinic and practice.

Sl. No.	Category	Item
1.	Common Essential	BP blade Cotton Suture Hypodermic needles -disposable Saline solution Burs Gloves Masks Potable water Disinfectant (general cleaning ) Disinfectant (Instruments) Lubricating oil for hand pieces Soap Surgical spirit
2.	Periodontology	as per procedural requirements
3.	Oral Medicine and Radiology	X-ray films X-ray film developer – manual/automatic processing X-ray film fixer - manual/automatic processing (If digital radiography available in the clinic, the above are optional)
4.	Oral surgery	as per procedural requirements
5.	Conservative Dentistry	Matrix Band Filling Materials Articulating Paper Wedges
6.	Endodontic	Chelating agent paste for root canal preparation Irrigation solutions Endodontic sealer Temporary filling materials GuttaPercha cones –various Files and reamers. Paper points- absorbent calcium hydroxide
7.	Prosthodontics	Wax Sheet Green Stick Impression Material Luting Cement
8.	Orthodontics	Wires Brackets Adhesive/bonding Materials
9.	Peadodontic	Flouride Pit and fissure sealant zinc oxide and eugenol calcium hydroxide Also relevant consumables as per procedures already listed above
10.	Implant Dentistry	Implants and abutments
11.	Emergency Services	All emergency drugs shall be checked periodically for expiry dates.

REGISTER YOUR RADIOGRAPHIC MACHINES

Every dental clinic should obtain consents from AERB for medical diagnostic X-ray equipment. In other words, all your radiographic machines should be approved and registered by the ATOMIC ENERGY REGULATORY BOARD OF INDIA.

All your dental radiographic machines should have Type approval and radiographic approval from radiation officer. These machines have to be registered under the name of your dental clinic in AERB. 

CHECKLIST FOR REGISTRATION OF OPG/Dental/Mobile Radiography 

Completely filled duly signed and stamped application form (AERB/RSD/MDX/REG).

Layout shall be prepared as per the AERB guidelines for layout and shielding of x-ray equipment.

Completely filled, duly signed and stamped application form (AERB/RSD/MDX-RSO [RADIATION SAFETY OFFICER])

Copy of certificates of qualifications (Refer Prescribed qualifications for personnel in DR practice)

Availability of Personnel monitoring badge (TLD BADGES) for which he/she is nominated to become RSO.

LIST OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR RUNNING A DENTAL CLINIC

Do you know there is a big list of legal approvals which are required to run a dental clinic in India. Here is the checklist. 

s.no	Authorization	check
1.	Registration under Nursing Home Act/Clinical Establishment Act
2.	Bio-medical Waste Management Licenses Authorization of HCO by PCB MOU with Vendor
3.	AERB License for Xray/OPG etc.
4.	NOC from Fire Department
5.	Lift license (if available)
6.	DG Set Approval for Commissioning (if available)
7.	Diesel Storage Licenses
8.	Narcotic Drug Licenses
9.	Medical Gases Licenses/ Explosives Act
10.	MoU / agreement with outsourced human resource agencies as per labor laws
11.	Spirit License
12.	Electricity rules
13.	Provident fund/ESI Act
14.	PAN of dentist
15.	Wireless operation certificate from Indian P&T

I hope this article gives a good idea regarding the establishment of A STANDARD DENTAL CLINIC IN INDIA. These guidelines help every dentist who is confused regarding government approvals.

[CLICK HERE FOR REGISTERING YOUR DENTAL CLINIC]

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