Canada is a good destination for studying dentistry. This is because of the high standard of education, high level of living as well as many career prospects. As a result, the number of students who apply to Canada to study dentistry every year has skyrocketed. Moreover, Canada has been recognised for its technological advancements, research and development. As a result, studying dentistry in Canada is an excellent decision because of the level of exposure you will get.

Studying dentistry in Canada can bring a lot of career and lifetime benefits. However, this opportunity requires you to put in a lot of hard work.  You need to have the right qualifications and meet the eligibility criteria before you can have the opportunity. Therefore, you need to brace up and prepare effectively for the application process.

In this piece, I will walk you through the requirements when applying to study dentistry in Canada.

Requirements to Study Dentistry in Canada

1. Obtain a First Degree

   You must have a first degree from a recognised program and school. Most Universities in Canada would require you to have a first degree in a science-related field. Additionally, your degree should contain science-related courses as well as a laboratory course. Furthermore, your grades should equal a minimum of 60 transferable units of course weight.

2. Meet the Required CGPA

   You must have a minimum of 3.0 CGPA on the 4.0 grading scale.

3. Transcript

   You need to send all the transcripts of your completed degrees during your application. However, you must not send unofficial copies, photocopies or hand-delivered copies. The transcript should be officially sent while making your application. Additionally, the official academic transcripts should be assessed by ICES or WES.

4. English Language Requirement

   You must write an English Language proficiency test if English is not your first language. Additionally, you must show proof of your English proficiency test. You can use tests such as IELTS or TOEFL. The minimum score for the IELTS is 6.5 – 7.0 while the minimum score for TOEFL is 85.

5. Write the DAT

   The Dental Admission Test(DAT) is compulsory for all applicants. This test is required for admission into dentistry in Canada. Therefore, you need to have a high score to be considered for admission. The minimum score required is 22-24. You should have a minimum of 21 in academic, science and reading. Additionally, you should have a minimum of 20 in perceptual ability. You can take the DAT a year in advance before applying.

6. Recommendation Letters

   You need two recommendation letters to apply to a dental school in Canada. The recommendation letters should come from a professional or your employer. Therefore, you should not get recommendation letters from a friend or family.

7. Additionally Testing (CASper)

   You need to take an additional test after submitting your application. This online assessment costs $60. Additionally, you must complete this test to remain eligible to study Dentistry in Canada. Furthermore, this test is valid for one application cycle. Therefore, it will expire if you do not get an admission offer. The minimum score for the CASper is 6.5 – 7.5.

8. Personal Statement

   You have to write a personal statement or essay stating why you wish to study dentistry in Canada. This personal statement is a crucial requirement for admission. Additionally, you should also discuss your career goals and how your academic and personal background has prepared you to study dentistry.

9. Interview

   The next phase in the application process is the interview stage. This interview can be held virtually or physically for every applicant.

How to Apply

You can apply to study dentistry in Canada by visiting the school’s website and submitting your documents as well as your application form. Additionally, you need to make sure that you verify the requirements of each school before making your application.

Duration

The undergraduate program in dentistry in Canada is two to four years. The program includes a Bachelor of Dental Hygiene, Doctor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Bachelor of Dental Science, Advanced Diploma in Dental Hygiene, etc.

Tuition fee

The average tuition fee for the Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and Doctor of Dental Medicine degree is C$65,000 to C$113,000 per year. Other dental programs range from C$15,000 to C$25,000 per year. However, these fees can vary based on the university you are applying to.

Universities in Canada that Offer Dentistry

1. University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
2. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
3. McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
4. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
5. Western University, London, Ontario
6. University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba
7. University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec
8. Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
9. Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec
10. University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
11. University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
12. McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
13. University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
14. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
15. Victoria University, Victoria, British Columbia
16. Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario
17. Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
18. University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
19. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia
20. University of New Brunswick, Fredericton
21. York University, Toronto, Ontario
22. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec
23. Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
24. University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario
25. Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario
26. Polytechnic School of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec
27. University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan
28. Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec
29. University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, Quebec
30. University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec
31. University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta
32. Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario
33. University of Quebec, Quebec, Quebec
34. Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario

In Conclusion, you need to apply early for this course. The dental schools in Canada are strict on deadlines and might not have an extension for applicants. Therefore, you should frequently check the school’s website to stay updated with information. You can reach out to us for further inquiries or assistance.

Good luck!

Click to discover an extensive list of local and international schools offering courses and programs in various career path