Do you want to get into dentistry? This is everything you need to know about choosing the right dental school in Canada.
There are at least ten top-notch dental schools in Canada recognized for their excellence in learning and research opportunities. So, how do you decide which school is best for you?
There are a few things to think about such as where you want to live, pre-admission requirements, additional fees, or future career prospects.
We’ve broken things down into the different factors that go into choosing the right school and program.
What location works best for you?
With so many quality universities to choose from, where should you apply? Explore this quick overview of Canada’s top dental schools as you begin your search.
TORONTO, ON: University of Toronto (UofT)
The University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry is the largest dental school in Canada. It is also considered to be the most unique due to its range of comprehensive undergraduate and graduate-level programs.
EDMONTON, AB: University of Alberta
The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine Dentistry is one of the world’s elite academic health science centers. Award-winning educators and renowned scientists teach their students in a lively learning environment.
MONTRÉAL, QC: McGill University
The Faculty of Dentistry is a constituent faculty at McGill University, and it was founded in 1904 as the McGill Dental School. The school promotes oral health, higher quality of life, and advancements in dentistry as a practice.
LONDON, ON: Western University
Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry offers a variety of programs including an exciting four-year program that can lead to a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). As a qualified graduate, you’ll be prepared to provide dental care through general learning, clinical research, and basic science research.
HALIFAX, NS: Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Dentistry contains a nationally and internationally recognized faculty that provides outstanding oral health education. Also, they carry out world-class research. So whether you are interested in a strong individual research program or collaborative research teams, you will find both here.
QUÉBEC CITY, QC: Laval University (Université Laval)
Do you speak French? The Faculty of Dentistry at Laval University is a French-language first program that trains highly qualified dental students. They’re committed to the advancement of oral health knowledge.
MONTRÉAL, QC: University of Montreal (Université de Montréal)
Also, a predominantly French-language school, the University of Montreal’s Faculty of Dentistry trains competent dentists and promotes oral healthcare in the population of Quebec through teaching and learning practices that are set by national and international competency standards.
SASKATOON, SK: University of Saskatchewan
Since its founding in 1907, the University of Saskatchewan is renowned for its medical research contributions. With its smaller class sizes, students have the attention of faculty educators as they obtain quality hands-on and clinical experience.
WINNIPEG, MB: University of Manitoba
At the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, which is part of the University of Manitoba, you’ll complete four years of intense study as well as extensive clinical experience before you earn your Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) degree. This degree can lead to a variety of career prospects, including dental specialties.
VANCOUVER, BC: University of British Columbia (UBC)
The University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Dentistry continues to make significant contributions to the body of knowledge and advances in oral health sciences. Through an outstanding curriculum, active faculty research, and a technologically advanced dental clinic, you can expect to receive an excellent educational experience here.
Let’s talk money.
In addition to your tuition as a dentistry student, you’ll need to budget and plan for other expenses like mandatory instruments, books, and supplies from the university.
When we include all costs (except for living expenses), a Canadian dentistry program can cost approximately $8k – $50k a year for domestic, in-province students. That’s $60k – $233k for four years of education, but it really depends on the program and dental school you choose.
- For out-of-province students, this cost can be between $10k – $35k a year.
- For international students, costs are even higher: between $30k and $100k a year.
How many students get accepted to dental school each year?
Interest in dentistry is on the rise. But, every dental school accepts a different number of students every year which impacts the average acceptance rates.
- McGill University: Enrolls 30 students, 11.07% acceptance rate
- University of Alberta: Enrolls 32 students, 9.44% acceptance rate
- University of British Columbia: Enrolls 58 students, 13.65% acceptance rate
- Dalhousie University: Enrolls 40 students, 10% acceptance rate
- University of Manitoba: Enrolls 29 students, 12.45% acceptance rate
- University of Saskatchewan: Enrolls 28 students, 10% acceptance rate
- Western University: Enrolls 56 students, 12.99% acceptance rate
- University of Toronto: Enrolls 96 students, 17.14% acceptance rate
What are my options for a career after dental school in Canada?
Like most fields, there are a variety of career paths and specialties to pursue after dental school. Here is a quick breakdown of branches and specialties of dentistry:
- Pediatric Dentistry – on providing infants and children with preventive and therapeutic oral health diagnosis, care, and consultative expertise.
- Endodontics – focuses on morphology, physiology, and pathology of the dental pulp and periradicular tissues. The study and practice of endodontics encompasses the basic clinical sciences, etiology, diagnosis prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries.
- Dental Public Health – this branch is mainly concerned with prevention, diagnosis, and control of dental diseases. They serve the community through health promotion, research, education, and group dental care programs that benefit all.
- Oral Medicine and Pathology – both oral medicine and oral pathology are applied to this area of dentistry. The focus of Oral Medicine and Pathology is on the nature and non-surgical management of oral, maxillofacial and temporomandibular diseases and disorders.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery – this is a specialty that is concerned with the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of disorders, injuries, defects and diseases that affect the aesthetic and functional aspects of tissues.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology – by using diagnostic images, this area implements prescription, production and interpretation of what they see to develop a diagnosis and determine management of any disorders or diseases concerning the craniofacial complex.
- Periodontics – focuses on the conditions of supporting and surrounding tissues of the teeth to develop diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases.
- Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics – this branch is concerned with the growing or mature dentofacial structures as well as any prevention, diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities associated with them.
- Prosthodontics – restores natural teeth and/or replaces missing teeth as well as contiguous oral and maxillofacial tissues with artificial substitutes. This all connects to the maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance, and health of the patient.
The gist.
Graduating from dental school means that you’ll probably have plenty of career options. It all depends on your skills and interest. Don’t forget the additional fees that are associated with your school’s program since you will be obligated to pay for them alongside your tuition costs.
With so many high-ranking dental schools in Canada, where will you choose to go?
