Study Dentistry in Canada

Dentistry in Canada for international students: top colleges, fees, entry requirements, courses, and career scope

Dentistry is a complex, ever-changing, yet gratifying profession that necessitates highly specialized training, which practically all Canadian dental colleges provide. The high-quality education, internationally recognized degrees, job prospects, well-paying salaries, and balanced professional life, keeps Canada ahead of the curve in the dentistry field. 

For international students interested in becoming dentists in Canada, there are three options: attend undergraduate dental school; if they already have an internationally recognized dental degree, specialize and pursue master’s degrees in dentistry; or pass the eligibility requirements set by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) and begin practicing dentistry in Canada.

Overview

Before reading the article that covers everything about Canadian dentistry programs in full, take a look at some of the brief highlights.

*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.

Why study Dentistry in Canada?

Dental colleges and universities in Canada are in high demand for a variety of reasons. Some reasons are as follows:

• Dental courses in Canada cover a wide range of topics, including orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, implantology, oral dental hygiene, and so on. 
• Students can select whichever option piques their interest. 
• Dentistry education is research-based and based on a teaching clinic model where students work on real-life dental issues. 
• Dental colleges in Canada have a robust alumni network that helps students learn more about contemporary dentistry industry demands.
• Dentistry is one of the highest-paying professions in Canada, with an average annual salary of 175,823* USD/year (Indeed).
• Some dental schools even offer scholarships and bursaries to international students

*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.

Career options after doing Dentistry from Canada

After completing their dental education, whether undergraduate or graduate, students in Canada have a variety of professional opportunities such as

• General Dentist
• Implantologist
• Dental Assistant
• Periodontist
• Dental Hygienist
• Dental Laboratory Technician
• Oral Pathologist
• Pediatric Dentist
• Prosthodontist

Top universities

The following are top Canadian dental colleges that are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC):

Popular Dentistry courses in Canada

Canadian universities ask candidates to take the Dental Aptitude Test – DAT as part of the application process. The DAT score should ideally be 19-20 points. It consists of a series of four examinations with multiple-choice questions delivered in English:

• The Natural Sciences Survey (100 items)
• Ability to Perceive (90 items)
• Comprehension of Text (50 items)
• Quantitative Analysis (40 items)

The exam is available all year at numerous test locations across Canada, and each school has its own criteria for weighing DAT scores in admission decisions. Students can take the exam during their junior year of undergraduate study or between their junior and senior years. Furthermore, many Canadian dentistry schools require a score on the CASPer test, a situational judgment test in which students are presented with hypothetical scenarios and asked what they would do in that case.

Undergraduate Dental programs and academic requirements

The undergraduate or bachelor’s degree programs offered in Canada are BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery), or DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine) degree. They are of four years duration and fees usually range from 22,000* to 118,000* USD/year. 

The general admission requirements for the undergraduate dental degrees in Canada are

• A high school education with a 3.0 GPA or above with physics, chemistry, and biology as core subjects
• Academic transcripts
• Valid passport
• DAT score
• CASPer test (if applicable)
• Personal statement 
• Passport photographs
• Completed visa application
• Letter of recommendation
• English proficiency test scores such as TOEFL (95 and above) or IELTS (6.0 and above)

*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.

Graduate Dental programs and academic requirements

After completing their BDS, DDS, or DMD undergraduate degree in dentistry, students can go for the following specializations for graduate studies which are of two to four years duration. 

• Dental Public Health 
• Endodontics Oral Medicine 
• Oral Pathology 
• Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 
• Orthodontics 
• Pediatric Dentistry 
• Periodontics 
• Prosthodontics

The fees for a master’s in dentistry specilization start from 13,000* USD/year. A student with a bachelor’s degree in dentistry from a Canadian university can apply directly for the course; however if a student has an international degree that is not recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), the student has to complete a bridging program or the International Dentist Advanced Placement Program (IDAPP) before applying for graduate school. The bridging programs are held for five to six months depending on the university. Here are some minimum requirements to apply for a dental bridging program:

• A four years bachelor’s degree in dentistry (not-recognized in Canada)
• Permanent Canadian residency
• Overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Must have cleared English language proficiency test (TOEFL 95 or above and IELTS 6.0 and above)

After completing the bridging program, the student will be directly admitted to the third year of four years undergraduate dentistry program. Fees for bridging programs start at 42,000* USD (the entire duration of the program). Upon completion of the course, the student can go for the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) certification. 

The NDEB certification process involves candidates passing three exams. The first is the Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK), followed by the Assessment of Clinical Judgment (ACJ), and the National Dental Examination of Clinical Competence (NDECC). The one-time application fee for AFK is 800* USD, ACJ is 1,350* USD, and NDECC is 9,000* USD. But since students are allowed three attempts to pass these exams, each attempt requires additional charges. After completing the NDEB equivalency certification, one can apply for the specialty course.

Some general academic requirements for dental master’s courses in Canadian universities are as follows:

• A certified bachelor’s degree in dentistry with a GPA of 3.0 and above (4.0 scale)
• Academic transcripts 
• Valid passport
• Passport photographs
• CASPer test (if applicable)
• DAT score
• Completed visa application
• Motivational letter
• GRE score (if applicable)
• Resume
• Recommendation letters (preferably two)
• Work experience (highly recommended) 
• English language proficiency (TOEFL 95 or above and IELTS 6.0 and above)

*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.

Doctoral Dental programs and academic requirements

Canadian universities also offer a number of doctoral programs of four to seven years duration such as in

• Dentistry
• Pediatric Dentistry 
• Oral Biology
• Orthodontics
• Periodontology

Following is a list of admission requirements for dental doctoral programs in Canada.

• A certified master’s and bachelor’s degree in dentistry with a GPA of 3.0 and above (4.0 scale)
• Academic transcripts 
• Valid passport
• CASPer test (if applicable)
• DAT test (if applicable)
• Passport photographs
• Completed visa application
• Strong GRE score (highly preferred)
• Statement of purpose
• Recommendation letters
• Resume
• Work experience (highly recommended) 
• Personal interview 
• English language proficiency (TOEFL 95 or above and IELTS 7.5 and above)

Diploma Dental programs and academic requirements

International students who are on a tight budget can go for a dental diploma which is affordable and is a quick way to enter the Canadian dental job market. The course duration may vary from one to three years depending on the university. The most common PG diploma programs offered are:

• Dental Assisting
• Dental Technology
• Dental Hygiene

The following are admission requirements for dental diploma courses:

• Post-secondary education in either maths, biology, chemistry, or physics
• Academic transcripts 
• Valid passport
• Passport photographs
• Completed visa application
• Statement of purpose
• Recommendation letter
• English language proficiency (TOEFL 90 or above and IELTS 6.0 and above)

Admission process for Dentistry courses in Canada

• Complete the online application form with accurate information and submit it
• Students may be required to engage in an admissions exam or a personal interview by universities as a part of the admission process
• Once selected students will receive an offer letter from the respective university
• Pay the fees in full or in part, depending upon the university’s requirements
• Following payment of fees, students can begin the VISA application process and make travel plans
• Fly to Canada upon receiving student VISA
• Make plans for accommodation and pay the deposit in advance

Scholarships, bursaries and funding options for Dentistry courses in Canada

Scholarships and bursaries are limited for dental programs in Canada and are available on a competitive basis. Here is a list of some entrance and in-course scholarships given by Canadian universities to students:

*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.