Procedures for Obtaining a Private Dental Clinic License to Commence Operations

Operating a dental clinic without a valid Dental Clinic License may lead to service suspension, additional premises expenses, and disrupted investment returns. Under the Law on Enterprises and Businesses, enterprise registration does not replace the separate operating approval required for a dental and maxillofacial specialty clinic. The facility must also meet standards for its professional and technical director, clinical premises, medical equipment, staffing credentials, and authorized service scope.

Before filing with the Department of Health, investors should review the application documents, practitioner qualifications, equipment records, and proposed procedures with support from Long Phan Consulting.

Diagram illustrating the procedure for obtaining a private dental clinic operating license — An overview of the process and key legal requirements for a dental clinic to commence lawful operations

Key legal notes:

Has a Business Registration Certificate not synonymous The clinic provides medical examination and treatment.
The person responsible for technical expertise must be a dentist with a practice license in dentistry; each facility may only have such a person 01person in charge.
The Department of Health assesses the operating conditions within a maximum period 60 days Since receiving all valid documents.
Listing overly broad a range of procedures may result in the application being requested for revision, especially for implants, orthodontics, and minor surgery.

The core legal requirements for granting a dental clinic license to investors

Licensing requirements are the first point of control before clinic owners sign long-term leases, purchase dental chairs, or recruit a team of doctors. For specialized dental clinics, the Department of Health not only reviews paperwork but also assesses the compatibility between personnel, premises, equipment, and the planned range of procedures.

Mandatory standards for those responsible for technical expertise

The person responsible for technical expertise is the core personnel in the licensing application. Businesses need to avoid the risk of “borrowing licenses” or assigning doctors outside their scope of practice, as this is often scrutinized during the assessment process.

Personnel standards that need to be checked right from the preparation stage include:

The person in charge of professional matters must be the doctor has a scope of practice in the field of dentistry and maxillofacial surgery., according to Point a, Clause 3, Article 47 of Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP.
Each medical examination and treatment facility is only allowed to have one person is responsible for technical expertise., according to Point e, Clause 2, Article 52 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023.
The scope of practice of a dentist must be consistent with the dental techniques planned for implementation, especially with tooth extraction, minor surgery, orthodontics, or implant placement, according to Clause 1, Article 11 of Circular No. 32/2023/TT-BYT.
The term “dental practice certificate” should be reviewed according to the new understanding medical practice license to avoid discrepancies in records according to the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment of 2023.

If the personnel in charge of professional matters are unsuitable, the clinic may be required to revise its documentation or fail accreditation. This risk slows down the opening plan and prolongs the fixed costs of premises, staff salaries, and equipment.

Standards for medical procedure room facilities and zoning

Dental clinic premises should not be selected solely based on commercial location. Investors need to review the lease agreement, design plans, operational flow, and procedure areas before making a deposit or undertaking renovations.

Key infrastructure requirements include:

The clinic must have a fixed location and ensure conditions regarding structural safety, fire prevention and control, infection control, environmental protection, and radiation safety if it has dental X-ray equipment, according to Clause 2, Article 40 of Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP.
The examination area must have a minimum size 10 square meters, according to Point a, Clause 2, Article 43 of Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP.
If the procedure is to be performed, the clinic must have a separate procedure room with a minimum area 10 square meters, according to Point b, Clause 2, Article 43 of Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP.
Clinics must have appropriate medical equipment, an anaphylactic shock kit, and a supply of emergency medications corresponding to their specialty, as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 43 of Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP.

The major risk factor lies in the mismatch between the actual design and the technical specifications submitted for approval. For invasive techniques, the procedure room and infection control conditions need to be standardized before the assessment team conducts their inspection.

Standards for facilities required for dental clinic licensing — Investors should clearly distinguish between an enterprise registration certificate and a sector-specific operating license to avoid administrative penalties or suspension of operations

Legality of the organizational structure and specialized equipment

A business registration certificate or household business registration certificate only establishes the business status. To operate a dental clinic for medical examination and treatment, the clinic must be granted a license to operate a specialized dental clinic.

The legal conditions to be aware of include:

The clinic must be organized in the following form: dental clinic, according to Point e, Clause 2, Article 39 of Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP.
Each medical examination and treatment facility has 01 operating license and this license has no expiration date, according to Clause 1, Article 50 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023.
If the clinic opens additional branches in different locations, each location must have its own operating license, according to Clause 1, Article 50 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023.
Dental equipment, diagnostic imaging equipment, and emergency medications must be compatible with the proposed technical scope for approval, as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 43 of Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP.

Investors should view a dental clinic license as a separate legal component, not a substitute for a regular business license. A safe approach is to design the organizational structure, staffing, premises, and technical procedures to be part of the same licensing application from the outset.

Compiling the Technical Dossier and Administrative Workflows at the Department of Health

The compilation of the operational licensing dossier dictates the definitive commercial launch schedule of the clinic. For international and domestic healthcare investors, this technical package is far more than an ordinary administrative submission; it serves as the formal legal proof that the facility is fully prepared to operate safely, ethically, and strictly within its approved medical scope.

Core Technical Documentation for the Regulatory Audit Dossier

Enterprises must rigorously standardize all application materials using precise local statutory terminology. While phrases like “dental business license” are common in informal commercial discussions, the foundational document within the formal dossier is the active Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) or its equivalent corporate registration.

Pursuant to Section I of the Dossier Components issued under Decision No. 1330/QĐ-BYT (2025), the core application package submitted for regulatory audit must comprise:

Official Operational Application: A formal request form for the issuance of a new operational license, meticulously prepared according to Form No. 02 of Appendix II issued under the officially announced administrative procedures of Decision No. 1330/QĐ-BYT (2025).
Corporate Legal Documentation: A certified copy of the valid Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) or equivalent corporate establishment files.
Professional Credentials: Certified copies of the active Medical Practicing License alongside validated historical practice records of the person professionally and technically responsible for the facility.
Operational Declarations: A comprehensive declaration of physical infrastructure, a complete inventory of installed medical equipment, and the official employment roster of all clinic personnel.
Practitioner Registrations: The formal registration log tracking all medical practitioners and nursing staff active at the healthcare facility.
Proposed Technical Scope: The detailed list of professional and technical services submitted to the Department of Health for formal authorization.

In practical application, this dossier should be supplemented with certified technical drawings of the medical layout, authorized medical waste disposal agreements, equipment calibration sheets, and internal zoning maps to minimize the risk of receiving administrative requests for information or material amendments.

Strategic Formulation and Approval of the Technical Service Scope

The list of professional and technical services is the section most prone to regulatory bottlenecks within the dental licensing process. Investors must never compile this list based purely on commercial marketing desires; instead, they must cross-reference every intended dental procedure against active practitioner credentials, installed equipment specs, and the physical capacity of the procedure rooms.

When engineering the technical scope, corporate boards must monitor the following control metrics:

Practitioner Scope Mapping: Advanced clinical procedures such as surgical tooth extractions, minor oral surgery, orthodontics, or dental implantology must align perfectly with the authorized scope of practice stated on the chief physician’s license.
Infrastructure Validation: Invasive interventions must be strictly backed by specialized procedure room configurations, standardized sterilization equipment, and rigorous infection control zones.
Diagnostic Imaging Compliance: Utilizing dental X-ray or cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems obligates the clinic to provide valid radiation safety certifications, shielded environments, and qualified operating personnel.
Capabilities-Based Declarations: The requested technical list should mirror the current, active capabilities of the facility rather than a broad, generic declaration aimed at hypothetical commercial expansions.

The statutory boundaries of a physician’s practice are strictly confined to their certified level of professional competence under Clause 1, Article 11 of Circular No. 32/2023/TT-BYT. Consequently, submitting a technical list that lacks a corresponding staff structure or appropriate equipment will halt the entire application, even if the general corporate documentation is flawless.

Administrative Review Timelines, Competent Authorities, and Statutory Fees

Integrating the state licensing workflow into the pre-launch schedule is a vital requirement for corporate cash flow management. Clinic owners must allocate sufficient buffer time for on-site inspections, potential document revisions, and real estate maintenance costs during the pending review period.

The administrative workflow follows a standardized statutory sequence:

Dossier Submission: The enterprise compiles 01 complete application package demonstrating full compliance across personnel, infrastructure, and technical service lists.
Filing Interface: The dossier is submitted to the receiving and result-return division of the local Department of Health or the Provincial Public Administration Service Center based on geographic jurisdiction.
Fee Settlement: The applicant settles the statutory appraisal fee mandated under national financial regulations.
Validation and On-Site Inspection: The Department of Health reviews the paper submission for legal validity and subsequently dispatches an official evaluation committee to conduct an on-site physical audit of the clinic’s operating conditions.
Dossier Revision (If Triggered): The clinic implements structural or document corrections if the inspection committee issues an official request for amendments.
License Issuance: The competent authority formally issues the new Medical Examination and Treatment Operation License once the facility clears all physical and technical audit criteria.

The statutory authority to receive, audit, and issue new operational licenses to private clinics is vested exclusively in the head of the specialized health organ under the Provincial People’s Committee—specifically, the local Department of Health (DoH), pursuant to Article 14 of Decree No. 148/2025/NĐ-CP.

Budgetary and Timeline Planning Metrics	Statutory Threshold / Period	Direct Legal Source
Statutory On-Site Physical Appraisal Timeline	Max 60 days from the receipt of a complete and valid dossier	Point b, Clause 2, Article 52 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023
License Issuance Post-Approval Minutes	Within 10 working days from the execution of a compliant audit report	Point c, Clause 4, Article 52 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023
Official State Appraisal Fee	4,300,000 VND per application	Point b, Clause 1, Section III of the Fee Schedule issued with Circular No. 59/2023/TT-BTC
Statutory Window to Complete Dossier Amendments	Within 06 months from the date of official notification	Clause 3, Article 64 of Decree No. 96/2023/NĐ-CP
Maximum Validity of an Unamended Application	12 months from the initial date of dossier submission	Clause 4, Article 64 of Decree No. 96/2023/NĐ-CP

Investors must pay strict attention to the 06-month amendment window and the 12-month absolute file expiration threshold. Failing to tightly manage these timelines can result in the complete nullification of the application, forcing the enterprise to forfeit paid fees and restart the entire process from scratch while facing mounting retail lease overheads and idle labor costs.

Post-Licensing Compliance and Healthcare Enforcement Risks

Many dental clinics concentrate heavily on commercial marketing operations after launch but fail to construct a robust post-licensing compliance management system. This systemic oversight is the most common cause of immediate operational suspensions, license revocations, or severe administrative disputes with municipal health regulators.

Critical Disconnections Between Corporate Registration and Medical Licensing

A prevalent and costly misconception among foreign investors is assuming that securing an Enterprise Registration Certificate (ERC) or a household business registration grants the immediate right to treat patients and perform dental procedures. In reality, these two legal instruments serve completely separate statutory functions.

Under Clause 1, Article 49 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023, a medical facility is strictly prohibited from commencing any professional operations until it has been formally granted an independent operational license by the competent authority.

Corporate Action	Ensuing Regulatory Risk	Direct Statutory Source
Operating with an ERC but lacking an active Operating License	Classified as completely lacking professional eligibility to practice medicine.	Clause 1, Article 49 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023
Executing treatments before license issuance	Triggers mandatory administrative prosecution, severe monetary fines, and immediate facility shutdown.	Clause 2, Article 55 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023
Failing to maintain baseline licensing criteria	Subjects the clinic to operational suspension measures lasting from 01 to 24 months.	Clause 2, Article 55 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023

For corporate healthcare investors, launching early to recoup capital before the Department of Health officially issues the operational license is a high-risk strategy. Beyond the immediate threat of regulatory fines, a documented history of compliance violations severely damages brand equity and places the clinic under permanent regulatory scrutiny during future health inspections.

Facility standards required for obtaining a dental clinic operating license — Requirements regarding functional area design, minimum treatment room size, and mandatory equipment must be satisfied to successfully pass the on-site inspection conducted by the competent authorities

Practice Boundaries and the Risks of Exceeding Approved Technical Limits

Once an operational license is secured, the clinic is strictly barred from unilaterally expanding its procedures beyond the explicitly approved list of professional and technical services. This restriction is a foundational pillar of Vietnam’s healthcare management framework.

Pursuant to Clause 1, Article 39 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023, a licensed practitioner is authorized to perform only those clinical techniques that directly correspond with their certified scope of practice.

The most common compliance failures identified during state inspections include:

Unapproved Advanced Procedures: Executing advanced dental implant surgeries before the specific technical code is formally appended to the clinic’s license.
Uncertified Staff Deployment: Deploying orthodontic or minor surgical procedures when the active staff roster lacks the specialized post-graduate credentials required by local rules.
Non-Compliant Imaging Operations: Operating dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems without independent radiation safety certifications or unlisted technicians.
Exceeding Authorized Competency: Assigning general dentists to perform complex maxillofacial interventions that exceed the boundaries set under Circular No. 32/2023/TT-BYT.

Additionally, investors must carefully monitor the statutory conditions that trigger the mandatory revocation of the clinic’s operating license:

Operational Inactivity: Failing to launch actual clinical operations within 24 continuous months from the initial date of license issuance.
Prolonged Suspension: Voluntarily halting or suspending clinical operations for a continuous duration of 24 months or longer.
Fraudulent Material Filings: Presenting falsified practitioner credentials, forged lease agreements, or altered certifications within the application dossier.
Continuous Non-Practice: Maintaining a designated chief physician who fails to engage in continuous clinical practice for 24 months under specific statutory scenarios.

These enforcement criteria are strictly governed under Points e and g, Clause 1 of Article 56, alongside Clause 1 of Article 35 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023. For dental chains or long-term medical investment groups, governing the active technical scope must be integrated as a continuous internal audit workflow, rather than a temporary check executed only when a state inspection is announced.

Mandatory Staff Updates and Transitional Rules for Historical Credentials

An operational license is not a one-time transaction. Throughout the entire life cycle of the clinic, the operating enterprise is legally mandated to report real-time adjustments regarding its medical personnel and technical environment.

Corporate legal teams must monitor the following mandatory notification windows:

Practitioner Resignations: When a registered medical professional or specialized dentist terminates their employment, the clinic must formally report the staff departure to the regulatory authority within 03 working days, under Point a, Clause 12, Article 29 of Decree No. 96/2023/NĐ-CP.
New Personnel Onboarding: When integrating new dentists or dental assistants, the company must submit an updated practice registration log within 10 days of hiring, utilizing Form No. 01 of Appendix II issued under Decree No. 96/2023/NĐ-CP.
Structural Corporate Changes: Altering the clinic’s trade name, modifying its physical address, adjusting operational hours, or expanding the technical service scope obligates the enterprise to execute formal license amendment protocols with the Department of Health.

Furthermore, investors must align their strategies with these key transitional rules:

Preservation of Legacy Licenses: Operational licenses officially granted under the historical Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2009 remain fully valid, pursuant to Clause 11, Article 121 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023 and Clause 1, Article 144 of Decree No. 96/2023/NĐ-CP.
Practicing Certificate Migration: Historical “practicing certificates” issued prior to January 01, 2024, are systematically migrated into the updated “Medical Practicing License” framework according to the statutory timelines of the new law.
Periodic License Renewal: Following migration, all medical practicing licenses must undergo periodic renewals based on the modernized continuing medical education (CME) tracking rules.

Failing to monitor the validity timelines of the medical staff’s licenses will cause the clinic to fall out of compliance regarding its technically responsible personnel. This breakdown can invalidate the primary operational license and disrupt long-term business continuity.

Long Phan Consulting offers comprehensive dental clinic licensing consulting solutions

The procedure for obtaining a dental clinic license requires coordination between business legal aspects, practicing personnel, facilities, and a list of specialized technical services. Long Phan Consulting assists clinic owners and investors in controlling licensing risks right from the site preparation, documentation, and operational planning stages.

Compliance review and due diligence of licensing conditions

Long Phan Consulting conducts pre-licensing reviews to identify legal bottlenecks that could cause applications to be rejected or prolong the assessment time. The focus is on checking the validity of personnel, location, equipment, and documentation proving the operating conditions.

Review the business registration certificate or household business documents to ensure the business model is suitable for operating a specialized dental clinic.
Review the professional licenses, scope of practice, and experience of the person responsible for technical expertise.
Review the lease agreement, floor plans, examination area, procedure room, and infection control measures.
Compare medical equipment, anaphylaxis first-aid kits, emergency medication supplies, and medical waste disposal conditions with the planned scope of services.
Standardize documentation proving the physical infrastructure requirements before the Department of Health conducts an on-site assessment.

This review process helps investors detect early the costs of repairs, equipment upgrades, or model adjustments before submitting the official application.

Consulting services for establishing and protecting a portfolio of dental technical specialties

The list of technical specialties determines which services a clinic is permitted to provide after obtaining a license. If the declared scope is too broad compared to actual capabilities, the application may be subject to requests for clarification, additional information, or a reduction in the scope of approval.

Compare each dental technique with the practice license, available staff, and scope of dental expertise.
The technical categories include examination, treatment, tooth extraction, minor surgery, orthodontics, implant placement, and dental imaging.
Review the conditions of operating rooms, equipment, and advanced training certifications for high-risk techniques.
Develop a technical checklist based on the operational roadmap, avoiding extensive claims that exceed initial capacity.
Prepare legal arguments and explanatory documents when the appraisal agency requests clarification on complex technical issues.

Establishing the correct service catalog from the outset helps clinics reduce the risk of operating beyond their area of expertise. This also forms the basis for requesting adjustments and expanding services as the facility grows in size.

Legal representatives handle all procedures at government agencies

After the documentation and internal conditions are standardized, Long Phan Consulting represents the client in working with the competent authorities to optimize the processing time. The scope of support focuses on the accuracy of the documentation and the ability to respond promptly when additional requirements arise.

Prepare the application form, facility inventory, personnel list, and technical expertise catalog according to the prescribed templates.
Representatives submit applications at the Department of Health or the Public Administrative Service Center, depending on the local authority.
Monitor the status of application submission, notifications of amendments or additions, and processing deadlines from the licensing authority.
Assisting in preparing for the on-site inspection, including checking facility records, signage, specialized areas, and supporting documentation.
Receive the results, review the content of the business license, and hand over the legal documents to the business.

Clinic owners, dentists, or investors can submit existing profiles via email.info@longphanpmt.com or contact Long Phan Consulting Company Zalo at 0906.735.386 for a preliminary assessment of your licensing eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Procedure for Obtaining a License to Operate a Private Dental Clinic

Dental businesses inherently face compliance risks when balancing commercial objectives with the legal framework of the specialized medical field. Understanding the specific regulations regarding “dental clinic licenses” helps investors prevent the risk of suspension and optimize resource allocation. Complex legal situations from a business perspective will be thoroughly resolved through the application of current legal frameworks.

1. Can a business use a single operating license for a chain of multiple dental clinics?

Businesses are not permitted to use a single license for multiple medical examination and treatment locations. Each dental business location must be granted a separate operating license to ensure independent medical standards. This mandatory regulation is based on Clause 1, Article 50 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023. Investors need to submit assessment documents for each branch before officially accepting patients.

2. What risks would a dental clinic face if it did not begin operations immediately after receiving its license?

Medical examination and treatment facilities will have their licenses revoked if they fail to commence business operations after 24 months or suspend operations for 24 consecutive months or more. This strict penalty for medical facilities is detailed in Points e and g, Clause 1, Article 56 of the 2023 Law on Medical Examination and Treatment. Investors need to develop a proper opening plan and allocate cash flow appropriately to avoid license revocation due to operational delays.

3. Are dental clinics that were granted operating licenses under the old law required to go through the renewal process?

Dental clinics that are operating stably are not required to reapply for a license or change their organizational structure. Medical facilities that have already been granted operating licenses under the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment of 2009 are allowed to continue operating under their old licenses. The transitional rights of businesses are guaranteed based on Clause 11, Article 121 of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment of 2023 and Clause 1, Article 144 of Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP. Investors only need to carry out adjustment procedures when a change in scale arises.

4. What notification obligations must investors fulfill when a dentist at their clinic resigns?

Medical examination and treatment facilities are required to report all changes in medical personnel to the state management agency. Specifically, medical examination and treatment facilities must report to the management agency when a practitioner resigns within 3 working days from the date of termination of practice. This notification obligation is mandated in Point a, Clause 12, Article 29 of Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP. Timely updating of personnel lists helps medical facilities maintain the legitimacy of their professional structure.

5. How much time does a business have to supplement its dental license application if the reviewing authority requests revisions?

Businesses must complete their license application within 6 months from the date the licensing authority issues a notice requesting amendments or additions. If, after 12 months from the date of initial submission, the application still does not meet the requirements, it will no longer be valid. This legal timeframe is determined based on Clauses 3 and 4 of Article 64 of Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP. Business owners need to cooperate closely with the management board to standardize documents, avoiding the risk of losing fees and having to resubmit from scratch.

6. What administrative procedures does a dental clinic need to follow when hiring new dentists to provide medical services?

When recruiting new medical personnel, medical examination and treatment facilities are required to notify and submit an updated registration list to the Department of Health. In the case of new personnel additions, the clinic must submit an updated list of registered practitioners within 10 days of the addition. This reporting process is based on Form 01, Appendix II, issued with Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP. This procedure helps investors ensure that new practitioners are legally permitted to perform medical procedures.

Conclusion

Securing a private dental clinic license in Vietnam serves as the definitive statutory pillar required to operate a dental and maxillofacial specialty facility in a legally secure and sustainable manner. Healthcare investors must strictly distinguish between general corporate registration and a specialized Medical Examination and Treatment Operation License, while actively managing their post-licensing compliance duties to eliminate facility shutdowns, license revocations, or commercial launch delays. Properly aligning medical staffing rosters, physical clinical zoning, specialized diagnostic equipment, and the approved technical scope with current health regulations is essential for long-term operational security. Contact our medical licensing desk via the Hotline at 1900636389 to secure specialized transaction structuring and legal risk management under the expert guidance of Long Phan Consulting Company .

📚 This article is provided with professional consultation based on the following legal framework:

Law on Medical Examination and Treatment 2023
Decree No. 96/2023/ND-CP detailing a number of articles of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment
Decree No. 148/2025/ND-CP on decentralization and delegation of authority in the healthcare sector
Decision No. 1330/QD-BYT of 2025 announcing administrative procedures in the field of medical examination and treatment
Circular No. 32/2023/TT-BYT detailing a number of provisions of the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment
Circular No. 59/2023/TT-BTC prescribing fee rates and the collection, remittance, management, and use of fees in the healthcare sector
Note: Legal regulations are subject to change over time. Please contact Long Phan Consulting directly via Hotline 1900.63.63.89 for the most up-to-date legal advice.

Thạc sỹ Nguyễn Lê Quốc Cường

Being a tax and accounting consultant, Master Cuong Le Quoc Nguyen has assisted many businesses in effectively and legally carrying out tax and accounting processes. With over 20 years of experience in this field, Mr. Cuong is capable of advising and supporting businesses in optimizing tax costs, managing finances efficiently, and ensuring compliance while prioritizing the interests of the business.

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