Dentists
(NOC 3113)
in All HealthDentists examine, assess, diagnose, prevent, and treat disorders of the teeth and tissues of the mouth. They work in private practice or may be employed in hospitals, clinics, public health facilities or universities. Dentists may specialize in such areas as oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, oral pathology, oral radiology, or public health dentistry.
Job Outlook
Good
Read more
Compared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
N/A
MinimumN/A
MedianN/A
MaximumAnnual Pay
$28,642
Minimum$115,050
Median$166,709
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.70
Minimum$26.60
Median$43.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Dentists examine, assess, diagnose, prevent, and treat disorders of the teeth and tissues of the mouth. They work in private practice or may be employed in hospitals, clinics, public health facilities or universities. Dentists may specialize in such areas as oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, oral pathology, oral radiology, or public health dentistry.
Job duties
Dentists:
- Examine patients' teeth, gums, and surrounding tissue to diagnose disease, injury and decay and plan appropriate treatment.
- Restore, extract, and replace diseased and decayed teeth.
- Perform oral surgery, periodontal surgery, and other treatments.
- Clean teeth and instruct patients on oral hygiene.
- Design bridgework, fit dentures and provide appliances to correct abnormal positioning of the teeth and jaws or write production instructions or prescriptions for use by denturists and dental technicians.
- Supervise dental hygienists, dental assistants, and other staff.
Sample job titles
- dental specialist
- dentist
- oral and dental surgeon
- oral and maxillofacial surgeon
- oral medicine specialist
- oral pathologist
- oral radiologist
- oral surgeon
- orthodontist
- periodontist
Skills
- You should be able to work carefully with your hands and have an aptitude for precise and accurate work. You should be able to work with mirror images. A reassuring manner is needed to help patients feel relaxed. You must be comfortable working with instruments and apparatus. Basic skills in operating a business are important. Artistic ability may also be helpful. You must be willing to continually update your knowledge and skills.
Job requirements
- One to four years of pre-dentistry university studies and a university degree from a recognized dental program are required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial regulatory body is required.
- Dentists in general practice can move into a specialized practice through advanced training.
- Licensing for specializations is required.
Other considerations
- Most dentists are self-employed and operate their own practices. They usually work regular weekday hours but may work some evenings and weekends. They sometimes respond to emergencies after hours. Certification by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada entitles dentists or graduates of approved dental programs to practice dentistry in any province in Canada provided requirements set out by the provincial and territorial licensing authorities are met.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Health
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$92,362 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$99,966 median annual incomeCape Breton
$94,771 median annual incomeSouthern
N/AAnnapolis Valley
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Educational services
Public administration
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
35-44
25-34
55-64
65+
Compared to: All Health
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$92,959 median annual incomeMaster
$86,562 median annual incomeDoctorate
N/ABachelor
N/ACompared to: All Health
College Diploma
$40,033 median annual incomeBachelor
$61,668 median annual incomeMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$81,191 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,829 median annual incomeMaster
$69,296 median annual incomeEducation & training
Dentistry (DDS, DMD)
University ProgramThese programs prepare students for the independent professional practice of dentistry/dental medicine, encompassing the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area, and adjacent structures and their impact on the human body and health. They include courses in the basic biomedical sciences, occlusion, dental health and prevention, oral pathology, cariology, operative dentistry, oral radiology, principles of the various dental specialties, pain management, oral medicine, clinic and health care management, patient counselling, and professional standards and ethics.
Institutions providing this program
Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery (Cert., MSc, PhD)
University ProgramThese programs focus on the advanced study of the diagnosis and intrusive and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects of the oral and maxillofacial regions, including functional and aesthetic aspects. They include courses in pharmacology, analgesia, anesthesia, anxiety control, surgical procedures and techniques, surgical instrumentation, exodontia, oral diseases and malfunctions, soft and hard tissue pathology, dentoalveolar surgery, infection management, and prosthetic implantation.
Institutions providing this program
Periodontics (Cert., MSc, PhD)
University ProgramThese programs focus on the advanced study of the etiology and treatment of diseases of the gingivae (gum tissue) and supporting bone, nerve, and vascular structures. They include courses in periodontium pathology, diagnostic procedures and equipment, occlusion, nutritional aspects of periodontology, surgical treatments, and patient care and management.
Institutions providing this program
Prosthodontics (Cert., MSc, PhD)
University ProgramThese programs focus on the advanced study of the restoration and maintenance of teeth, oral function, and aesthetic form through the use of single or compound materials, structures, and artificial devices. They include courses in implant dentistry, surgical procedures, denture design and fabrication, fixed and removable prosthodontics, restorative techniques, occlusion therapy and devices, geriatric dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.
Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.