Dentistry Courses in Canada

According to the WHO, Oral diseases like tooth decay, oral cancer, gum disease, or oral trauma because of an accident affect more than 3.5 billion people globally. More than 85% of the populations in high-income countries explicitly demand oral care & end up spending more than 20% of the out-of-pocket medical expenses on the same, as dental care is not only expensive but also outside the purview of insurance. Moreover the deteriorating food lifestyle with high indulgence in sugary food items drastically impacted oral hygiene of adults as well as children. To get the right guidance regarding dentistry courses in Canada and how to apply for it you can get in touch with study abroad consultants in Ahmedabad giving necessary information, for you to understand the process better and make the right decision. 

The above state of oral health has drastically increased the demand for dentists and allied dental care professionals globally. The global dental services market was valued at USD 365 billion in the year 2020 & is projected to nearly double to 709 Billion by 2030. So if you are a BDS graduate from a recognized Indian Dental school, then you have made the right career choice. This article guides you through the various course and career options available for Indian BDS students in Canada.

The western world is projected to see a huge demand for healthcare & social services jobs as their populations there are getting older. As BDS graduates, students are eligible for positions in clinical dentistry, technical positions in allied dentistry, and managerial roles in the healthcare sector.

• Associate dentists
• Dental GP
• Dental technicians
• Dental assistants
• Healthcare managers
• Dental hygienists & therapists
• Digital health managers

Demand for dental professionals in Canada

The Canadian government releases detailed data on the prospects and scope for each occupation in the country under the COPS (Canadian occupational Projection system). This marks dental & health professions to be one of the most in-demand occupations of Canada in the coming decade. In 2018, the health sector was the second-largest employer in the country after retail trade, providing employment to more than 1.9 million people.

Please find data for certain relevant occupations:

Occupation Category	No. of People employed in 2018	New job openings (Projected 2019-2028)	Demand – Supply Outlook
Dentists (3113)	26,800	12,200	Shortage
Assisting occupations in healthcare services (3413)	321,000	178,700	Shortage
Dental Hygienist, Technicians & Denturists (3220)	35,500	12,900	Balanced
Dental Assistants (3410)	31,300	11,100	Balanced

Dental Courses in Canada after BDS 

Indian BDS graduates have many course options that they can take up in Canada. While clinical post-graduate degrees with residentship are not an option unless the dental licensure exams are passed. The country has many courses available at numerous colleges and universities.

Please check a few courses streams that BDS students can opt for:

Healthcare Administration & Leadership

Many Canadian institutions offer Post Graduate Diploma or Masters in Public Health or Healthcare Services management. This course prepares students for the leadership & patient support roles across all aspects of healthcare services in public as well as private settings. It exposes students to concepts in leadership of multidisciplinary teams, improvements in patient safety, and fundamentals in family care theories.

Career Options: Entry or mid-level managerial positions in a wide range of healthcare settings such as clinics, hospitals, and private facilities or organizations.

Duration: 1 or 2 Years

Fee Range: 15000 – 18000 CAD Per Year

Offering colleges: Lambton College, Sault College, Northern College, Cape Breton University

Dental Hygiene

A Dental hygienist educates people about oral hygiene while examining patients for signs of oral diseases. They cannot undertake surgical procedures, but the work setting is quite similar to a doctor. Many colleges in Canada offer Diploma programs to help students become certified dental hygienists, which can be a very lucrative career option.

Career Options: Work as a practicing dental hygienist in clinics, community health organizations, hospitals, collective living centres or in the dental industry. (Post completion of the National Dental Hygiene Certification exam)

Duration: 2 or 3 Years

Fee Range: 24000 – 26000 CAD Per Year

Offering colleges: George Brown College, Algonquin College, Vancouver Community College

Dental Technology & Denturism

This Diploma program prepares students to be dental technologists/technicians to regulated dental practitioners. It focuses on skills and fabrication of oral devices like dentures, crowns, bridges and implants. New advents in 3D printing technology have drastically altered dental technology & many opportunities have opened up for dental technologists.

Career Options: Work as a practicing dental technologist in dental offices and hospitals or as a supervisor in dental laboratories. Registration with the College of Dental technologists of Ontario (CDTO) is essential to work in this field.

Duration: 2 or 3 Years

Fee Range: 24000 – 28000 CAD Per Year

Offering colleges: George Brown College, North Alberta Institute of Technology

Dental Assisting

This certificate program prepares students to assist registered dental practitioners in clinical settings. Post completion, students can find work as certified dental Assistant (level I & Level II). Participants will develop skills in dental chair assisting, oral health education, client care and business administration.  

Career Options: Work as a practicing dental assistant in dental offices, hospitals, armed forces, dental industry etc. Candidates must seek registration with Ontario dental assistants association.

Duration: 1 Year

Fee Range: 15000 – 18000 CAD Per Year

Offering colleges: Niagara College, Confederation College, Durham College, St. Clair College

Digital Healthcare

The healthcare landscape is being constantly impacted by newer digital technologies. This graduate certificate program prepares students with interdisciplinary skills in technology and healthcare to prepare them to help organizations embrace digital health ecosystems. The program includes courses in data security, Information technology, leadership etc. This program is ideal for students with a health or Information technology background.

Career Options: Work as project managers, digital health strategists, solution architects, clinical information managers with various digital health projects at governments, hospitals & community service organizations.

Duration: 1 Year

Fee Range: 20000 – 25000 CAD Per Year

Offering colleges: Algonquin College, Fanshawe College

Becoming a Practicing Dentist in Canada for Indian Dentists

Since BDS graduates from India are not eligible to practice as licensed dental practitioners in Canada, candidates must seek registration with NDEB (The National dental examining board of Canada). Indian dentists are considered ‘graduates from a non accredited dental program’ as far as the NDEB registration is concerned.

Fulfilling the NDEB equivalency process and then appearing for 3 different exams will make you eligible for licensure with Dental regulatory authorities.

Required Examinations:

1. Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge
2. Assessment of of clinical judgement / Assessment of clinical skills
3. NDEB written exam & OSCE

How much do Dental professionals earn in Canada?

Approximate salary range for various dental professionals in Canada is as per below:

Occupation	Approximate Salary Per Year
Dentist	CAD 1,18,000
Dental Hygienist	CAD 48,000 – CAD 80,000
Dental Technologist	CAD 30,000 – CAD 60,000

Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)

Is BDS Valid in Canada?

No, BDS is not valid in Canada. Candidates wanting licensure must go through the NDEB equivalency process to practice.

Are BDS students eligible for clinical masters in Dentistry at Canadian Universities?

No, BDS students will not be eligible for clinical masters at Canadian Universities because Indian dental programs are not accredited in Canada.

Which are the best Colleges for Dentistry courses in Canada for Indian Students?

• George Brown College
• Algonquin College
• Vancouver Community College

Is dentistry a good career in Canada?

Yes, Dentistry is a very promising profession in Canada. In 2018, there were 26,800 dentists in the country with an average wage of CAD 1,18,000 Per year. Over 2019 -2028, number of job openings is expected to total 12,200 while there will be only 7,000 job seekers, resulting in an acute shortage of Dentists in the country.