In which setting can a dentist on a Temporary Volunteer Permit practice?

A dentist holding a Temporary Volunteer Permit in North Carolina is permitted to practice specifically within nonprofit health care facilities. This regulation is designed to expand access to dental care for underserved populations, allowing dentists to provide their services in a charitable context without the usual administrative and financial pressures of a full-time practice.

Nonprofit health care facilities often function with the primary mission of serving individuals who may not have the means or ability to obtain dental care otherwise. By limiting this permit to nonprofit settings, the state ensures that the focus is on community service and public health rather than profit-driven models.

In contrast, private practices and corporate dental offices operate on a for-profit basis, which does not align with the purpose of the Temporary Volunteer Permit. Additionally, while hospitals may provide dental services, they typically do so within specialized departments and not as the primary setting for volunteer work under this permit. Therefore, the only correct and applicable setting for a dentist on a Temporary Volunteer Permit is a nonprofit health care facility.