Dentists
High opportunity occupation
Career Overview
Dentists diagnose, treat and prevent disorders of the mouth. They work in private practices or may work in hospitals, clinics, public health facilities or universities.
Dentists must have an aptitude for using mechanical equipment, as well as a high degree of manual dexterity. They must also have strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as patience.
In general practice, the emphasis has shifted to prevention, from correction of teeth and mouth problems.
Job Titles
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 fabrication instructions or prescriptions for use by denturists and dental technicians
- Supervise dental hygienists, dental assistants and other staff
Special duties
Endodontists:
- Endodontists use root canal therapy and other supportive measures to preserve teeth showing diseases of the dental pulp
Orthodontists:
- Orthodontists study the growth and development of teeth and jaws and straighten crooked or poorly spaced teeth
Periodontists:
- Periodontists treat diseases that affect the gums and instruct patients in the prevention of recurrences. They also perform corrective surgery of the gums and supporting bones to treat gum diseases
Prosthodontists:
- Prosthodontists attempt to restore the natural teeth or replace missing teeth and adjoining tissues with artificial substitutes, such as bridges and dentures
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons:
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons operate on diseases, injuries or deficiencies of a person's jaw
Oral and maxillofacial radiologists:
- Oral and maxillofacial radiologists provide intraoral and panoramic radiography, but also perform TMJ and implant tomography, orthodontic radiographic examinations and diagnostic consultations
Oral pathologists:
- Oral pathologists study the cause, development and effects of oral diseases using clinical, microscopic, radiographic or other laboratory procedures. They may treat disease directly or provide guidance.
- Oral radiologists make and
- Interpret radiographs of the head and neck area
Pediatric dentists:
- Pediatric dentists specialize in preventive and therapeutic care for children
Public health dentists:
- Public health dentists promote public education and the prevention, control and treatment of dental diseases for communities
Oral medicine:
- Oral medicine is a non-surgical specialty that includes the evaluation, diagnosis, therapeutic management and research of medically related oral diseases
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
3,705% Employed Full Time
21%Dentists work in clean, well-lit and well-equipped offices. Though most dentists operate their own private practices, some are employed by large health care facilities, such as hospitals.
Dentists in private practice often have the flexibility to choose when and how many hours (full time or part time) they want to work. In some instances, dentists may be required to adjust hours to meet patients' needs.
Dentists follow dental practice infection control protocols and procedures and wear masks, gloves and safety glasses to avoid transmission of infectious diseases. Safety precautions are also taken when using hazardous chemicals or equipment.
Dentists must be familiar with the use of a wide variety of equipment for various procedures. These professionals may experience neck and or back strain when performing long procedures.
Career Pathways
After graduation, most new dentists enter a private practice with an established dentist. After gaining experience, many dentists will open their own practice. Partnerships with other dentists and group practices are also becoming increasingly common.
With additional education and training (usually one to four years), dentists can become certified specialists in a dental specialty recognized by the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP).
Opportunities to work in research facilities, crime labs or for government health authorities may also be available.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
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For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Dentists must complete a degree in dentistry to work in this occupation. A Doctor of Dental Medicine degree is most common; however, a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree or Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree is sufficient to work in this occupation.
The Faculty of Dentistry at the University of British Columbia offers the province's only program that leads to a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree (DMD).
Entry into the program requires at least three years of post-secondary studies with some prerequisite courses, a minimum GPA, and a minimum score on the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT). Once accepted, the program takes four years to complete and includes some clinical experience.
For more information on this program visit: www.dentistry.ubc.ca.
Further education beyond a dental medicine degree or dental surgery degree is required in order to become a dental specialist.
To practice in B.C., all dentists must be registered with the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP).
Continuing education and professional development are required throughout the careers of dentists and dental specialists. This ensures that dentists are providing patients with modern forms of treatment and with proper advice in regard to their dental related problems and inquiries.
Dentists who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check.
For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants.
Contact the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) for details on how to apply for certification in B.C.
For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca.
View a list of Professional Regulatory Authorities in B.C.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Dental Related
Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Being able to solve novel, ill-defined problems in complex, real-world settings.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Understanding how new information could be used to solve current and future problems in making decisions.
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
3,705Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 60 | 1.6% |
| Kootenay | 110 | 3.0% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 2,570 | 69.4% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 50 | 1.3% |
| Northeast | 20 | 0.5% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 385 | 10.4% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 510 | 13.8% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
1,490Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 20 | 1.1% |
| Kootenay | 50 | 1.2% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,040 | 1.6% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 20 | 1.2% |
| Northeast | 0 | -0.3% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 140 | 1.1% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 210 | 2.6% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 1,480 |
| Educational Services | 10 |
Insights from Industry
Health care in B.C. and in Canada, in terms of both the number of practitioners and the amount of funding, has increased considerably over the last decade.
Population growth, an aging population, and technological advancement in diagnosis and treatment, are also increasing the demand for dental services. In addition, many opportunities for dentists will become available due to retirements, which are expected to make up a significant number of new openings.
Industry reports the current supply of new graduates is insufficient to meet demand. In particular, there is currently a shortage of dentists in rural areas of the province. As such, new graduates may find increased employment opportunities in more rural areas of the province, where employers have more difficulty finding qualified dentists.
Advances in biomedical sciences and disease patterns continuously change the delivery of dental care. As well, improvements in many aspects of dental care are enabling dentists to undertake more complex treatments. These improvements may also increase demand.
Resources
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B.C. Ministry of Healthwww.gov.bc.ca/health
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British Columbia Dental Association (BCDA)www.bcdental.org
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British Columbia Dental Association (BCDA) – Careersbcdental.org/careers/
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Canadian Dental Association (CDA)www.cda-adc.ca
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British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP)oralhealthbc.ca/
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Dental Technicians Association of BC – Job Boarddtabc.ca/jobs-classified-ads
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The Pacific Dental Conferencewww.pdconf.com
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University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistrywww.dentistry.ubc.ca
