Wondering whether studying dental studies in Canada is worth it?
Yes, undoubtedly. While this path might be one of the most competitive and expensive professional programs in Canada, it has a high return on investment.
With Canada’s major dental workforce ageing, a large segment of practising dentists is expected to retire over the next decade, a demographic shift often referred to as the “Grey Tsunami.” This will likely open up strong career prospects for new graduates who can meet Canadian licensing requirements.
Dentistry remains one of the highest-paying jobs in Canada, and thus many students pursue dental studies in Canada with a national median wage of about $110,000 annually. However, the path is not simple. Whether you are a Class 12 student or a qualified BDS graduate from India, dental studies in Canada require exceptional academic performance, financial planning, and long-term commitment.
We are here to help you cut through the noise and cover the exact pathways, the new 2025 NDEB rules, real tuition costs (which are higher than most blogs claim), and the strategy you need to succeed.
Why Choose Dental Studies in Canada? (The 2026 Reality)
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Canada offers a dual advantage: a high quality of life and a high earning potential. However, before you apply, it is essential to understand the market.
- High Earning Potential: While associates (junior dentists) start around CAD 100,000 (₹65 Lakhs), experienced practice owners can earn CAD 300,000 - CAD 500,000 (₹1.9 Crore - ₹3.5 Crore) annually.
- The "Grey Tsunami": A large percentage of Canadian dentists are retiring. Provinces such as Saskatchewan and British Columbia are actively seeking professionals to fill these gaps, particularly in rural areas.
- Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP): The CDCP is a federally funded dental care program designed to provide Canadians without private dental insurance with access to dental and oral health services. This opens up access to a larger pool of patients for dentists, people who may not have visited a dentist before. As of 2025, “close to 100% of active dentists … are caring for patients covered under CDCP.”
How to Become a Dentist in Canada: Two Main Pathways
The route to Dental Studies in Canada depends on your current education level and whether you want to be a general dentist or a specialist.
Pathway A: For Class 12 Students (The Undergraduate Route)
Duration: 7–8 Years Total
Degree Awarded: DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine)
Dental Studies in Canada is a "second-entry" program. You cannot join a dental school directly after high school.
Step 1: Bachelor’s Degree (3-4 Years): You must first complete a BSc (Science) at a Canadian university. You need a high GPA (3.8+ on a 4.0 scale) in subjects like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
Step 2: Dental Aptitude Test (DAT): During your BSc, you must clear the Canadian DAT, which tests your manual dexterity, scientific knowledge, and perceptual ability.
Step 3: Dental School (4 Years): Apply to a DDS/DMD program. These are highly competitive.
Step 4: Licensure: After your Dental Studies in Canada, you need to pass the NDEB board exams to practice. It depends on how quickly you pass exams and complete credential verification.
Mentor’s Tip: A BSc in Biology or Health Sciences is likely the best option for Dental Science students, as "Pre-Dentistry" as a major rarely exists. This can be a backup career option if you don't get into dental school immediately.
Pathway B: For BDS Graduates from India (The Equivalency Route)
Duration: 2–4 Years (exams + potential study)
Status: Highly Competitive
To become a licensed Dentist in Canada, you must go through the NDEB Equivalency Process. Your Indian BDS degree is not automatically recognised in Canada.
NDEB Assessment: You must pass three Competitive exams:
- AFK (Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge): Theoretical exam.
- ACJ (Assessment of Clinical Judgement): Case-based diagnosis exam.
- NDECC (National Dental Examination of Clinical Competence): Practical exam on mannequins and actors.
- Bridging Programs (Alternative): Instead of the exams, you can apply to a university's "Advanced Placement" program (like UofT's IDAPP). You enter the 3rd year of a Canadian DDS program. This is extremely expensive (approx. CAD 100,000+), and seats are very limited.
Crucial Update: The NDEB 2025 “Tiered” System
Attention BDS Graduates: This is the most important section of this guide.
Effective July 1, 2025, the NDEB has changed how candidates register for the final practical exam (NDECC). They have introduced a priority system to manage the backlog.
- Tier 1: Candidates passing the ACJ for the first time.
- Tier 2: Candidates who hold Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency (PR).
- Tier 3: Everyone else (including those on Visitor or Student Visas).
What this means for you: If you go to Canada on a visitor visa to write these exams, you will be in Tier 3. You might have to wait indefinitely for an exam seat.
The Strategy: You should aim to secure Permanent Residency (PR) (via Express Entry healthcare draws) before or while attempting the NDEB process.
Top Universities & Tuition Fees (2026) (Estimated only)
Tuition for dental school is significantly higher than for regular undergraduate degrees.
Disclaimer: Exchange rates vary. 1 CAD ≈ ₹64.35 INR. Fees below are for International Students.
| University | Program | Est. Annual Tuition (CAD) | Est. Annual Tuition (INR) | Key Note |
| University of Toronto | DDS / IDAPP | ~$118,040 | ~₹71 Lakhs | Largest dental school. Very high GPA required (3.96+). |
| McGill University | DMD | ~$65,000 - $90,000 | ~₹39 - 54 Lakhs | Requires French proficiency for clinical years. |
| University of British Columbia (UBC) | DMD | ~$80,000+ | ~₹48 Lakhs+ | Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum |
| Western University | DDS | ~$90,000+ | ~₹54 Lakhs+ | Look at your "best two years" of GPA |
| University of Saskatchewan | DMD / IDDP | ~$68,000+ | ~₹41 Lakhs+ | Uses the ADAT exam for admission. |
Note: Many provincial universities (like the University of Alberta DDS) strictly restrict seats to Canadian citizens or residents. Always check the "International Admissions" page before applying.
Eligibility & Admission Requirements
To secure a seat in a Canadian dental school (Pathway A), you generally need:
- Academic Excellence: A minimum GPA of 3.0 is the official cutoff, but realistic acceptance happens at a 3.8+ GPA (mostly A grades).
- Pre-requisite Courses: Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physiology, and Biochemistry
- Dental Aptitude Test (DAT): Scores above 21 are considered competitive. You must prepare for the "Manual Dexterity" (soap carving) section if required by your specific university.CASPer Test: An online test assessing ethics and empathy.
- English Proficiency: IELTS Academic with 6.5 overall (no band less than 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 100.
Cost of Living in Canada (2025 Estimates)
Living expenses depend heavily on your chosen city. Toronto is expensive; the prairies (Saskatchewan/Manitoba) are more affordable.
| Expense (Monthly) | Toronto (ON) | Saskatoon (SK) |
| Rent (Shared) | CAD 1,200 - 1,500 (₹72000 - 90000) | CAD 600 - 800 (₹36000 - 48000) |
| Groceries | CAD 350 - 500 (₹21000 - 30000) | CAD 300 - 450 (₹18000 - 27000) |
| Transport | CAD 128 (₹7.6k) | CAD 80 - 100 (₹4800 - 6000) |
| Total Est. Monthly | ~CAD 2,300+ (₹1.4 Lakhs) | ~CAD 1,400+ (₹85, 000) |
Source: Numbeo 2025
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Full scholarships for international dental students are rare. Most funding is merit-based and partial.
| Scholarship / Program | What it offers / Key details | What you must check / notes |
| University of Toronto Faculty Awards | Merit- (and sometimes need-) based awards for strong international students; helps manage costs of dental education (potentially CAD 2,000–15,000/year for high-achieving students) per one guide. (Gateway International) | Must get admitted to the dental (DDS) program; high academic/test scores (like DAT/GPA) likely required. |
| UBC International Major Entrance Scholarship (IMES) | Offers significant entrance scholarships (somewhere between ≈ CAD 10,000–25,000) to international students at the start of university, which may help with dental or allied health if eligible. (Gateway International) | Confirm if the dental program qualifies under “eligible courses” for IMES at UBC. Dentistry admissions are competitive. |
| University of Alberta International Scholarship | For international students applying to the University of Alberta, guideline sources mention grants (e.g. ~ CAD $5,000) for strong international applicants, usable for health/dental. (Gateway International) | Must meet admission requirements (entry requirements, English proficiency, etc.), likely need strong credentials. Also, amounts are partial, not full funding. |
| ICD‑WUDAA Scholarship Program | This is a scholarship program aimed at “dental students,” meant to ease the cost burden of dental education; they accept “international students” (depending on dental-school accreditation/eligibility). (International College of Dentists) | You need to check if your target dental school in Canada qualifies under the program’s eligible schools (often U.S./Canada-accredited). Also likely competitive & requires documentation of need/performance. |
| General “Dentistry Scholarships in Canada” lists/ grants | There are 50+ documented scholarships, bursaries and grants for international students aiming to study dentistry or allied dental programmes in Canada — covering both Bachelor-level and Post-graduate / DDS / DMD / International-Dentist “bridging” programmes. (WeMakeScholars) | Many are partial scholarships. You’ll need to check the specific eligibility criteria (nationality, prior degree, course type — undergraduate vs graduate vs bridge). |
- You can also look for External Loans since you cannot access Canadian government loans (OSAP), look for:
- Prodigy Finance / MPOWER: Loans for top universities without collateral.
- Indian Bank Loans: SBI Global Ed-Vantage (up to ₹1.5 Cr).
Career Opportunities & PR Pathways
Pursuing dentistry in Canada not only provides world-class clinical training but also opens powerful career and immigration opportunities for international graduates. With high demand for oral-health professionals across provinces, qualified dentists and dental specialists enjoy strong earning potential and multiple routes to permanent residency through Canada’s healthcare-focused immigration streams.
Job Roles & Salaries
| Job Role | Average Annual Salary (Approx.) |
| General Dentist (Associate) | ₹60 Lakhs – ₹96 Lakhs/year |
| Dental Hygienist (requires a separate Diploma) | ₹42 Lakhs – ₹54 Lakhs/year |
| Specialist Dentist (Orthodontist, Endodontist, etc.) | ₹1.5 Crore+/year |
Dentists fall under NOC 31110 (TEER 0). This is a high-demand category.
- Category-Based Draws: Canada conducts specific Express Entry draws for "Healthcare Occupations." This means you might get PR with a lower score than IT professionals.
The "Study Pathway" Strategy:
If you are a BDS grad, consider doing a Master’s in Health Administration or Public Health first. This gives you a PGWP (Work Permit), allows you to earn money, and helps you get PR before you attempt the expensive NDECC exam.
Conclusion
Dental Studies in Canada is a high-rewarding journey, but it requires a solid financial plan and high academic standing.
- For Class 12 Students: Start with a BSc in Canada. Focus on getting a 3.9 GPA.
- For BDS Grads: Focus on your NDEB exams, but prioritise getting your Permanent Residency to avoid being stuck in the new Tier 3 exam waitlist.
Next Step: Are you unsure if your profile is strong enough for a Canadian BSc or Master's? [Book a free consultation with Leap Scholar] to assess your eligibility today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the average dentist's salary in Canada in 2025?
A. The average salary for a dentist in Canada ranges from CAD 125,000 to CAD 200,000 (approx. ₹75 Lakhs to ₹1.2 Crore). Experienced practice owners can earn significantly more, often exceeding CAD 300,000.
Q. Can I practice in Canada immediately after my Indian BDS?
A. No. The Indian BDS is not directly recognised. You must pass the NDEB equivalency exams (AFK, ACJ, NDECC) or complete a 2-year Qualifying Program at a Canadian university to get licensed.
Q. How much does it cost for Dental Studies in Canada for Indian students?
A. For a DDS/DMD program, international tuition fees are very high, ranging from CAD 65,000 to CAD 118,000 per year (approx. ₹39 Lakhs – ₹71 Lakhs per year). Living costs are additional, approx. CAD 20.000 all'anno.
Q. What are the new NDEB rules for 2025?
A. Starting July 1, 2025, the NDEB has introduced a tiered registration for the clinical exam (NDECC). Candidates with Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency (Tier 2) get priority over those on student or visitor visas (Tier 3).
Q. Which universities accept international students for Dental Studies in Canada?
A. Key universities include the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia (UBC), and Western University. Some schools, like the University of Alberta (DDS), are closed to international applicants.
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