Careers in Dentistry

Dentist

A dentist is a doctor who focuses on oral health treating the gums, teeth and structures of the head and neck.

Dentists evaluate the overall health of their patients and how it relates to their oral health focusing on disease prevention. They perform clinical procedures such as exam, diagnosis and treatment planning, oral cancer screenings, bite assessments, fillings, crowns, implants, exactions, and root canals.

Dentists can work as associates (independent contractors) for a dental clinic or become an owner of a dental clinic.

University (3-4 years)

  • Not all dental schools require you complete your bachelor’s degree, and you can apply after 3 years of university if you have the necessary pre-requisites.

  • Dental schools have different requirements for pre-requisites. It’s important to look up each school you are applying to.

Dental School (4 years)

  • Graduate with either a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) or DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree.

  • They both mean the same thing, that you graduated from dental school.

UBC Admission requirements:
https://www.dentistry.ubc.ca/education/dmd/dmd-admission-procedures/dmd-required-courses/

UBC Dental School (Applying to the DMD Program):
https://www.dentistry.ubc.ca/education/dmd/applying-to-the-dmd-program/

UBC Information for perspective Students:
https://www.dentistry.ubc.ca/education/information-for-prospective-clinical-students/

To practice dentistry in Canada, you must graduate from a recognized and accredited dental school (Not all international schools qualify. Do your research before applying to a dental school out of the country if you want to return to Canada), pass the National Dental Board Exam (NDEB) and receive a licence in the province you work as dentist in. It BC that is the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP).

Resources

General Practice Residency GPR (1 year)

  • Optional
  • A general practice residency is an apprenticeship-type program which provides a new graduate dentist the opportunity to work with others in a learning environment while honing their clinical skills and learning new clinical, professional and communication skills.

VGH dental practice residency program: https://www.dentistry.ubc.ca/general-practice-residency-training-program/about-the-gpr-program/

Dental Specialties (2-4 years)

  • Dental Public Health

  • Endodontics
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
  • Orthodontics
  • Oral Radiology
  • Prosthodontics
  • Periodontics
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Geriatric Dentistry (Not a recognized speciality at this time but there are some specific
    GPR programs focused on geriatric dentistry. VGH has one.)

UBC Dental Specialities: https://www.dentistry.ubc.ca/dsatp/about-the-dsatp-program/

Dental Hygienist

A dental hygienist is a licensed health care professional who helps patients maintain good oral health and dental hygiene.

Their goal is to educate, prevent and treat diseases that impact oral health and overall health. This includes cleaning teeth, examining the teeth and gums, taking X-rays, collecting medical histories, and educating patients on proper oral care.

Dental Hygiene Diploma (18 months to 2 years)

  • Most dental hygiene schools require applicants to have completed at least 30 credits in first-year university level courses or equivalents. There are specific course requirements. Please check each program you are applying to for their specific requirements.

Resources

Dental Hygiene Degree Program

Having a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene allows more career choices such as teaching and research. In BC, dental hygienists with a degree can work independently from a dentist and open their own hygiene clinic.

  • Option 1: Degree Completion Program (1-year)
    This is for applicants who already have their dental hygiene diploma and are wanting to complete their dental hygiene degree.
  • Option 2: Dental hygiene Degree Program (4 years)
    Entry into the “Entry to Practice” hygiene degree program is possible with grade 12 graduation or equivalent.

UBC Dental Hygiene Degree Program:
https://www.dentistry.ubc.ca/education/dental-hygiene-degree-program/general-info/

To practice as a licenced dental hygienist in Canada, you must, pass the National Dental Hygiene Canadian Exam (NDHCE) and register with the regulatory authority for the province you are practicing. It BC that is the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP).

Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada:
https://www.fdhrc.ca/pages/ndhce/

BC College of Oral Health Professionals:
https://oralhealthbc.ca

Dental Assistant

Dental assistants can be certified or uncertified. Only certified dental assistants (CDAs) may perform “intra-oral” duties inside a patient’s mouth. Chairside dental assistants perform only “extra-oral” duties outside a patient’s mouth.

Certified Dental Assistant CDA (10 months)

  • Certified dental assistants (CDAs) may perform “intra-oral” duties inside a patient’s mouth such as taking x-rays, applying fluoride and sealants and temporary dental crowns.
  • Admission requirements: Grade 12 graduation or equivalent.

Resources

To practice as a licenced certified dental assistant in Canada, you must, pass the National Dental Assisting Board Exam (NDAEB) and register with the regulatory authority for the province you are practicing. It BC that is the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP).

National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB):
https://ndaeb.ca/registration-licensure/

BC College of Oral Health Professionals:
https://oralhealthbc.ca

Chairside Dental Assistant (0 to 23 weeks depending on the program)

  • Chairside dental assistants perform only duties outside a patient’s mouth.
  • Chairside dental assistants can take a radiology module to expand their skills.
  • Training can be done on the job working side-by-side with the dental team or there are courses available.

Resources

There is no standardized exam or registration required to work as a chairside assistant in BC.

Dental Receptionist

The Responsibilities of a Dental Receptionist Include greeting patients as they arrive, answering the phones, scheduling patient appointments, dental charting and treatment planning as well as completing and filing insurance forms and dental billing records.

Dental Reception Training (0 to 17 weeks depending on the program)

  • Dental reception training can be done on the job or there are also courses available.

Resources

There is no standardized exam or registration required to work as a dental receptionist in BC.