Dentistry

• Dentists help maintain and improve the appearance and health of patients’ teeth.
• Most work in private practice and supervise dental hygienists and other staff
• Earnings are $60,000 to $200,000 or more a year

• To become a dentist, you need to attend dental school. In Canada dentists often take a four-year program leading to a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). Applicants to dental school must first complete 2 to 4 years of university level courses, depending on the school.
• Dental schools require applicants to have taken courses in certain areas of study such as chemistry, biochemistry, human physiology, animal physiology, cell biology, microbiology, nutrition, physics, English, and social sicences and humanities. However, exact requirements vary by school so be sure to check with the dental school you might be interested in applying to in order to find out what courses you require.
• Tests: Most of the Canadian dental schools require applicants to submit of Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) test scores. The DAT is administered by the Canadian Dental Association to evaluate general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, two- and three-dimensional visual perception and manual dexterity (currently suspended, but there are plans to reintroduce it shortly). Learn more about the DAT by going to the Canadian Dental Association website. The submission of Casper scores is often required.  
• Other Non-academic requirements - Other admission criteria may include a personal interview, letters of recommendation, autobiographical sketch or personal experiences, personal statement, and CPR certification
• Dental school typically takes 4 years to complete. Depending on the school, graduates may earn either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.
• After finishing a degree, you must be licensed by the province you wish to practice in. This generally involves passing exams set by the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB).

• July: registrations begin for writing the November or February Dental Aptitude Test
• Dental School application deadline: some are early and range from November to December of the year prior to the year of admission.

With extra training, a dentist can become a specialist and focus on specific dental problems. There are 10 nationally recognized dental specialties in Canada. The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) reviews and accredits the education programs in the 10 dental specialties. More information about the CDAC and the following specializations can be found on the Canadian Dental Association website.

• Dental Anaesthesia
• Dental Public Health - Public education for dental health
• Endodontics - Focus on the soft tissue inside the tooth
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Facial reconstructive surgery
• Oral Medicine and Pathology - Diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of mouth/jaw conditions
• Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology - Interpretation of diagnostic images
• Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics - Manages tooth movement and growth of the face
• Pediatric Dentistry - Children’s oral heath
• Periodontics - Focus on areas supporting the teeth
• Prosthodontics - Artificial teeth or other parts of the mouth

• cda-adc.ca -- Canadian Dental Association (CDA) 

This is a national industry website for all dentistry professionals in Canada. Click on “The Dentistry Profession” to find information about dental careers, programs, and specialties.

• ndeb.ca -- National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB)

This board administers certification exams to graduating dentists. Click on “Links” for contact information for the provincial regulatory authorities.

• rcdc.ca -- Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC)

The RCDC administers exams for each dental specialty. Go to the “About Us” and “Examinations” sections to find out more.

• acfd.ca -- Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD)

This association oversees all of the dental programs available at educational institutions in Canada. Click on “Members of ACFD” and then have a look at “Links to Dental Schools” for a list of all dental schools in Canada.