Community health license to care for underserved populations — Dentists practicing in federally-qualified health centers (“FQHCs”) or in government-operated dental clinics.
Del. Code tit. 24, § 1132B
in effect(a) On completion of an application approved by the Board and payment of a fee established by the Division, the Board shall issue a community health license to care for underserved populations to an applicant who furnishes proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has contracted to be an employee with a federally-qualified health center (“FQHC”) or a government-operated dental clinic, for purposes of providing care to traditionally underserved populations.
(b) A community health license to care for underserved populations entitles the applicant to practice dentistry as follows:
(1) On individuals served by the FQHC, including during community or outreach events serving underserved populations, or on the staff of the FQHC.
(2) For a government-operated dental clinic.
(c) To obtain a community health license to care for underserved populations at an FQHC or government-operated dental clinic, an individual must meet all of the following requirements:
(1) Has received a degree in dentistry from an accredited dental college or university accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
(2) Before matriculating in a dental college or university, has completed at least 2 years of undergraduate study in an accredited college or university.
(3) Achieve a passing score on the Delaware jurisprudence and National Board of Dental Examiners’ examinations.
(4) Does 1 of the following:
a. Takes and passes the Delaware practical examination under § 1123 of this title.
b. Takes and passes a nationally-recognized dental exam given by 1 of the following or a nationally-recognized regional board exam that the Board deems substantially similar to the following:
1. The Council of Interstate Testing Agencies (“CITA”).
2. The Central Regional Dental Testing Services (“CRDTS”).
3. The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (“CDCA”), formerly the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners (“NERB”).
4. The Southern Regional Testing Agency (“SRTA”).
5. The Western Regional Examining Board (“WREB”).
(d) (1) A community health license to care for underserved populations becomes a license under § 1122 of this title once the holder submits proof to the Board that the holder completed 3600 hours over 2 years at an FQHC or a government-operated dental clinic. Hours are limited to a maximum of 40 hours per week, of which at least 32 hours per week must be in providing care for patients at the approved site and only up to 8 hours per week may be for performing clinical-related administrative activities.
(2) If an applicant seeks a license under § 1122 of this title before completing 2 years of service at an FQHC or a government-operated dental clinic, the applicant must comply with §§ 1122(a)(3) and 1123 of this title.
(3) If the requirements of this subsection are not fulfilled, the Board may deny a license under § 1122 of this title.
(e) The holder of a community license to care for underserved populations shall comply with all other applicable provisions of this chapter.
(f) If a holder of a community health license to care for underserved populations continues to practice in compliance with subsection (b) of this section, the license is renewable and shall be renewed biennially by the Board.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title24/c011/sc02/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026