EB2 NIW Profile Evaluation - Dentist Specialist

Hi folks!

I'd like to get some assessment and recommendation on my profile. I am a foreign trained DDS with a foreign residency training and a US accredited specialty residency training.

Currently I have a job offer as a dentist specialist (endodontist). My employer will sponsor my PERM EB2, which will start the PWD process in 8/2025.

However I want to apply for EB2 NIW since its uncertain if I will get H1B next year or not, which will not allow me to continue the PERM EB2 in the event of not getting the H1B.

I don’t have a research background so I want to focus my endeavor as a clinician to open a practice in the 2-3 year future (after OPT ends) in a Healthcare Provider Shortage Area (HPSA) and medically underserved area (MUA).

The endeavor is to build an endodontic clinic in HPSA that addresses the nation wide public health crisis by:

• building capacity for specialized dental care to address the federal policy gap

• reducing medicaid burden and ER visits due to acute tooth pain and lack of endodontic clinics in HPSA

• collabing with federally qualified heath center (FQHC) to provide specialized care

• mentoring general dentists in underserved areas to raise awareness for specialty referral and collaboration like in house visits etc.

• ultimately build a model of what a specialty clinic can do in HPSA and MUA that can be applicable to different HPSAs around the country. 

I guess my question is:

1. Is my endeavor considered of national importance?

2. Am I well-positioned? -> I have a DDS, a foreign residency training and a US specialty residency training. I'm also applying for a state dental license now (basically 99.9% sure I will get it)

3. Is there any other pathway for me to maintain my legal status in the US and work if EB2 NIW is not feasible? (I am not considering CPT)

Any advice is welcomed! Thank you guys!