A Dental assistant course in Canada allows applicants to begin a career as a dental assistant. Dental assistants are an integral part of an integrated healthcare system where teamwork is vital for success. Dental assisting is one of the top professions in the country, and while one may be more likely to undertake private practising, one can also get jobs in regional health units and hospitals. For applicants looking to study dental assisting courses in Canada, the country has several accredited training programs, the successful completion of which can help open a world of opportunities. This article discusses dental assisting courses in Canada, eligibility, fees and process for Indian students in 2022.
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Reasons for studying Dental Assisting Courses in Canada
Here is why you should prefer undertaking a dental assisting program in Canada –
High demand
As per CDAA (Canadian Dental Assistants Association), there are around 29,000 dental assistants in Canada, and over 20,000 are registered with a local dental assisting association in some form or other. 74% of the latter are certified/licenced with an average age of 38 years, and 99% of all registered candidates are females!
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Lowest unemployment rate
Canada has a high demand for dental assistants. Given that dental hygiene is an integral part of public health, the profession offers high job security. In fact, per the 2021 CDHA (Canadian Dental Hygiene Association) survey, the unemployment rate in this profession stands at 1%, which is far lower compared to the average rate of 5.5% in the country.
Higher job satisfaction
As per a CDHA survey, 53% of respondents are expected to continue working for over ten years in the dentistry profession, owing to higher job satisfaction. They are comfortable with their pay scale and happy not to be part of a monotonous work environment, as dental assisting allows them to deal with different people having different issues regularly.
Admission Requirements
Students learn to use dental appliances and manipulate various dental materials by studying dental assisting. But to do that, they first need to understand the admission process and requirements. Listed below are program requirements and documentation for admission, required for registration for a diploma or other dental assisting programs in Canada –
Eligibility
- High school diploma (preferably with a specialisation in Science or Arts)
- An eight or ten-month specialised college course or equivalent
- Must be at least 18 years of age and pass a Superintendent approved qualifying test for certification
- IELTS/TOEFL score (at least 6/80 for most courses) for proving proficiency in the English language
- OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) with 30 credits in advanced/general level
Documentation Required
- Completed application form
- A Statement of Purpose
- Transcripts of previous courses duly translated into English
- Up to 3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
- NDHCB (National Dental Hygiene Certification Board) certificate
- IELTS/TOEFL score sheet
- Health insurance proof
- Updated CV/Resume
- Proof of funds to cover the education period
What is the approximate Cost of Studying a Dental Assistant Course in Canada?
Studying a dental assistant course in Canada is not too costly. A diploma-level course in dentistry would cost you around INR 15 lakh annually, whereas a bachelor’s degree would set you back by around INR 18 lakh per annum. A master’s course will require you to spend around INR 30 lakh annually. The master’s is a two-year course costing on the higher side, whereas the bachelor’s is a two-semester course with the program starting in September and ending in June.
Scholarship options
Many top schools in Canada support scholarships to provide financial aid to deserving applicants, both domestic and international. Here are some of the scholarship options available for Indian students looking to pursue a dental assistant course in Canada –
- Alberta Blue Cross 50th Anniversary Dental Scholarship
- Albert Bodnarchuk Award in Dentistry
- Barbara Ann Zier Memorial Scholarship
- B.C. Society of Orthodontists Memorial Scholarship
- Dr Soo Kin Lan Prize in Dentistry
Top Universities offering a Dental Assistant Course in Canada for International Students
University of Alberta
- Course name – Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
- Tuition fees for the first year – INR 59 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 6.5/90
The University of British Columbia
- Course name – Doctor of Dental Medicine in Dentistry
- Tuition fees for the first year – INR 39 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 6.5/90
McGill University
- Course name – Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
- Tuition fees for the first year – INR 52 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 6.5/90
Western University
- Course name – Doctor of Dental Surgery
- Tuition fees for the first year – INR 34.5 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 4.5/NA
George Brown College
- Course name – Advanced Diploma in Denturism
- Tuition fees for the first year – INR 16.5 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 6/80
Canadore College
- Course name – Advanced Diploma in Dental Hygiene
- Tuition fees for the first year – INR 16 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 6.5/NA
University of Toronto
- Course name – Master of Science in Dentistry (with speciality training)
- Tuition fees for the first year – INR 15 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – NA/90
University of the Fraser Valley
- Course name – Certified Dental Assistant Certificate
- Tuition fees for the first year – INR 9 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 6.5/88
Georgian College
- Course name – Certificate in Dental Assisting (Level I and III)
- Tuition fees for the first year – INR 8.25 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 6/NA
Vancouver Island University
- Course name – Diploma in Dental Hygiene
- Tuition fees for the first year – INR 26.75 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 6.5/88
College of New Caledonia
- Course name – Dental Hygiene Diploma
- Tuition fees for the first year – INR 29 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 6/80
Cambrian College
- Course name – Dental Hygiene
- Tuition fees for the first year – INR 18 lakh
- Minimum IELTS/TOEFL score – 6/80
Career and Job prospects
As per Indeed, the average salary of a dental specialist in Canada is CAD 24.39 per hour or INR 1500 per hour. So it roughly translates to INR 25 lakh per annum. The job profile of a dental assistant is diverse. Individuals specialising in this niche can help dentists, dental hygienists, and dental therapists perform clerical work until they become experts themselves and have dental clinics of their own. The scope of practice in this profession is broad, and healthcare professionals specialising in dentistry have a lot of scope for landing a good job. Dental practice professionals have a plethora of job responsibilities. It involves fabricating and pacing temporary crowns and restorations, creating invoices for dental services, taking preliminary impressions for diagnostic casts, suggesting the best foot forward based on client profile, and handling other dental office procedures related to oral health. The profession is handled by NDAEB (National Dental Assisting Examining Board), established on November 15, 1997. It is an independent board responsible for assuring individuals in the dental assisting field meet the current national baseline that they have met the current federal baseline standard in the knowledge and skills for getting recognition as an intra-oral dental assistant. Listed below are the prospective annual salary of a dental assistant with their job profiles –
- Dental Assistant (INR 18 lakh per annum)
- Dentist Hygienist (INR 25 lakh per annum)
- Surgical Technologist (INR 22 lakh per annum)
- Medical Assistant (INR 15 lakh per annum)
- Pharmacy Technician (INR 20 lakh per annum)
Conclusion
Graduating from the top dental assisting college in Canada can open opportunities for international students. With job openings projected to expand and people finding new job profiles in the dental office, the popularity amongst Indians for dentistry courses is expected to rise. Canada is one of the countries that comes to mind when planning to study dental assisting courses for Indian and international students. But with limited top schools offering dentistry and different specialisations, there can be conflict regarding where to apply. With LeapScholar, leave the ambiguity behind and bring about transparency to better understand your chances of landing at one of the top universities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there good colleges in Ontario for studying a dental assistant course in Canada?
Several of the top options of colleges offering dentistry courses that are also affiliated with the Dental Accreditation of Canada are located in Ontario. The list includes Western University, George Brown College, University of Toronto, and Georgian College.
2. Can international students pursue dental hygiene diploma courses in Canada?
Yes. Canada is a welcoming country that allows international students on their shores to pursue dental hygiene diploma courses, provided they meet the required academic criteria and have a valid Canadian student visa. In addition, it offers an excellent practice environment for those with mature student status for health promotion courses.
3. Can we get a dental hygienist job in Canada easily?
Given that the demand for dental specialists is rising, it is easy to find a well-paying job related to dentistry in Canada. The unemployment rate for health professionals in oral health services is among the lowest across industries.
