Dental surgeon seeking NIW for advanced degree EB-2 to establish dental clinic. AAO dismissed appeal, finding proposed endeavor lacks national importance, petitioner not well positioned to advance it given focus on esthetician work, and labor shortage insufficient to balance waiver factors.

Dentist with advanced degree seeking NIW for clinical dental services, education, and public health outreach. AAO dismissed appeal, finding substantial merit but no national importance; proposed impact limited to direct patients and employer without broader field or industry influence.

A dentist trained in Brazil sought EB-2 classification as an advanced degree professional with a national interest waiver. The AAO withdrew the finding that the foreign degree was equivalent to a US doctorate and found the petitioner not well positioned to advance the endeavor because he lacked US licensure and was working as a dental assistant. Worker shortage alone does not support a waiver.

A dentist sought EB-2 classification with national interest waiver for a dental practice startup in Florida. The AAO affirmed denial, finding the proposed endeavor had substantial merit but lacked national importance; creating 21 jobs and generating tax revenue in a non-corroborated HUBZone location did not demonstrate requisite broader impact.