Dentists

Dentists must complete a degree in dentistry to work in this occupation. The Doctor of Dental Medicine degree is the most common path; however, the Doctor of Dental Surgery or Bachelor of Dental Surgery degrees offered by some schools in Canada are sufficient. As the exams and degrees are both defined by national or higher-level organizations, dentistry education can be pursued outside of B.C.

The Faculty of Dentistry at the University of British Columbia offers the province's only program that leads to a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree (DMD). Entry into the program requires at least three years of post-secondary studies with some prerequisite courses, a minimum GPA, and a minimum score on the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) administered by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA). The program takes four years to complete and includes some clinical experience. For more information on this program, visit the UBC website.

Further education beyond a dental medicine degree or dental surgery degree is required to become a dental specialist.

Continuing education and professional development are required throughout the careers of dentists and dental specialists to keep skills current and maintain certification.

To practice in B.C., all dentists must be registered with the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP). Dentists who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.

For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.

Those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction likely need a full assessment to transfer their credentials. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.

Contact the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.

View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

B.C.’s population is both growing and aging, increasing demand for dentistry just as much as other healthcare specialties. Demand for care related to aging, such as prosthodontics, is increasing more than other specialties. Additionally, many opportunities for dentists will become available due to retirements, which are expected to make up a significant number of new openings.

Industry reports the current supply of new graduates is insufficient to meet demand, especially in rural and northern regions that tend to face healthcare shortages in general. As such, new graduates may find increased employment opportunities in more rural areas of the province.

Federal and provincial moves aim to reduce financial barriers to dental care and integrate dental care into broader healthcare practice. There is increasing demand for dental services, keeping demand for new dentists robust.

Advances in biomedical sciences and disease patterns continuously change the delivery of dental care. As well, improvements in many aspects of dental care are enabling dentists to undertake more complex treatments. These improvements may also increase demand.