Find the Best Dental Hygienist Course in Canada with GRADSearch
Studying a dental hygienist course in Canada can be your start to a successful career in healthcare! Dentistry programs are growing in popularity worldwide – you can discover many of these with a quick browse through GRADSearch!
International students opt for courses in the field in part thanks to the lucrative career options and good scholarship opportunities in dental professions. Healthcare sector professionals are currently among the most in-demand jobs in Canada! Because of this industry demand, colleges and universities across the country develop and deliver industry-leading programs in dentistry. They combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience in state-of-the-art clinical settings. Let’s get into the details of what a dental hygienist course is all about.
What Do Dental Hygienists Do?
Before choosing a dental hygienist course in Canada, you need to have a clear understanding of the expectations for this role. Dental hygienists support dentists in patient treatment by performing roles such as:
• Cleaning procedures like plaque removal, root planing, and scaling
• Making dental molds of teeth for treatment planning
• Applying local anesthesia to patients
• Teaching patients how to maintain proper dental hygiene
• Screening the patient’s oral health condition and reviewing their medical history
• Performing dental radiographs
• Applying materials like sealants and fluorides to the patient’s teeth
To work in Canada as a dental hygienist, the Canadian government lists the following job requirements:
• Complete a two- or three-year college dental hygiene program, with the appropriate territorial or provincial governing body approval
• Get the appropriate dental hygienist license through the relevant provincial or territorial regulatory body
Why Study Dental Hygienist Courses?
Dental hygiene courses are excellent program options to explore in Canada. Not only are career and earning prospects excellent, but you can take the fullest advantage of them by completing a dental hygienist course in Canada at one of the world’s best universities for the subject. The following Canadian universities are among the top 100 global best universities for dentistry:
• McGill University
• University of Alberta
• University of British Columbia
• University of Toronto
Here are the top reasons to consider a dental hygienist course in Canada!
Lucrative Salaries and Future Prospects
A dental hygiene program can set you up for career success. Healthcare is one of the sectors currently seeing the highest demand in Canada. It is also one of the priority sectors for Express Entry, for those pursuing longer-term immigration and work opportunities in Canada. Graduating with an in-demand degree bumps up your post-study opportunities to continue working and living in Canada!
Your earning prospects as a dental hygienist are also high. Indeed.com estimates that the average basic salary in Canada is around an hourly CAD 48.77 for dental hygienists.
Good Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships are another reason dental hygienist courses may be more accessible. Dentistry, while an excellent field for professional success, tends to fall on the more expensive end of the tuition spectrum. Similar to programs like medicine and veterinary sciences, tuition fees for this technical and highly resource-intensive program tend to be higher than average tuition fees.
However, Canadian universities keen to internationalize their campuses can make these opportunities more accessible through scholarships! These scholarships may range from a few thousand dollars annually to up to 50% to 100% tuition fee discounts.
These awards can also be general scholarships for any international student or specific options the faculty will reserve for its own students. So, be thorough in your scholarship search and don’t overlook these options in favor of the major flagship awards! You can look into some of the best scholarships for your course subject list through GRADSearch.
Flexible Work Options
Another great career perk for future professionals in dental hygiene is the flexible working options. As a dental hygienist, you may work part-time at a dentist’s practice and maintain greater flexibility for your work-life balance. You can also work full-time and pick up hours at emergency dental offices on contract, or split your time across different practices. As a result, you get to diversify your income streams and have greater control and choice over your work hours.
What to Expect from a Dental Hygienist Course in Canada?
Dental hygiene courses combine theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience. Courses in dental hygiene focus mostly on medical and health science knowledge and application. However, courses involving psychology and social communication are also a part of the curriculum. You will be taking classes that teach you to handle patients and communicate effectively with people. If you recall the last time you were in the dentist’s chair, you probably understand how much of a difference the dentist’s bedside manner can make to the patient’s experience:
Aspects your dental hygienist course in Canada will cover will typically include:
● Oral Anatomy: Study of the structure and function of the teeth, gums, and oral cavity.
● Physiology: Exploration of bodily functions and processes, particularly those affecting oral health.
● Histology: Examination of the microscopic structure of oral tissues and their function.
● Microbiology: Study of microorganisms in the oral cavity.
● Oral Diseases: Understanding of diseases affecting the mouth.
● Child Behavior: Analysis of behavioral patterns in children; learning to manage their oral health effectively.
● Preventive Dentistry: Methods and practices to prevent dental diseases and promote oral health.
● Nutrition: Impact of diet and nutrition on oral health and disease prevention.
Requirements to Study Dental Hygiene in Canada
The admissions criteria and course materials may differ between states since the respective governing boards of the Canadian territories and provinces regulate dental hygiene program requirements.
Canadian universities will also set their own requirements for their dentistry programs. While entry requirements may look different from university to university, there are some common requirements you can expect. At the undergraduate degree level, a dentistry program in Canada may require:
| Criteria | Minimum Requirement |
| English Proficiency | IELTS 6.5 overall or equivalent IELTS 6.0 in each segment |
| Academic Qualifications | Secondary school with good grades in Biology and Chemistry |
| Situational Judgement Test | CASPER test |
| Admissions Test | Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) |
Some universities may have specific requirements for their dental hygiene programs, as well. The University of Alberta’s bachelor’s program, for example, requires that applicants complete at least one year of university-level coursework before admissions.
To qualify for a master’s degree, you will need to hold a diploma or bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. The grade boundaries or CGPA requirements will depend on the university's faculty of dentistry as well.
Top Universities in Canada to Study a Dental Hygiene Course
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is one of the top universities in Canada and one of the 100 best universities in worldwide in dentistry and dental sciences! The university’s School of Dentistry offers students top-of-the-line facilities, including a full-service dental clinic. To develop students’ community involvement, the University of Alberta’s Dental Hygiene students have plenty of opportunities to volunteer with non-profit organizations, work in service provision roles and with children and seniors, as well as go on Global Missions.
The Bachelor of Science in Dental Health is a three-year, full-time program, with the curriculum including courses in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences. To qualify for the program, you will need to complete one year of university-level coursework before admission.
To qualify for the Masters (MSc) in Dental Hygiene, applicants need to hold a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale in a 4-year bachelor’s degree program. The University of Alberta accepts applications from bachelor’s degree holders in any discipline; however, you must meet the eligibility criteria of:
• The Faculty of Graduate Studies
• Graduate Dental Hygiene Program Admission Subcommittee
• Medical Sciences Graduate Program Committee
You will also need a recommendation from the School of Dentistry Graduate Committee to qualify.
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is another of the global 100 best universities in the field of dentistry and dental sciences. At UBC, you can opt into the Entry-to-Practice admission pathway for a full-time four-year Bachelor’s degree in Dental Science (Dental Hygiene). This is one of only two such entry-to-practice programs in Canada, with graduates able to register as a dental hygiene practitioner who can practice in other parts of Canada (and the world).
The program includes both classroom and clinical learning. To qualify, you will need to:
● Demonstrate strong academic performance
● Provide supplemental information (your personal profile)
● Participate in an online interview
Courses in the entry-to-practice program include:
● Basics of Oral Microbiology
● Oral Health Sciences I
● Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Psychology
● Dental Hygiene Theory & Practice III
● Applied Pharmacology
● Oral Medicine and Pathology
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University offers both a diploma in dental hygiene and a bachelor of dental hygiene program. The diploma program creates a pathway into the bachelor’s degree program, which you can opt for on a part-time or full-time basis.
The Faculty of Dentistry at Dalhousie University offers students state-of-the-art facilities, including its dental clinic, where future dental hygienists can get hands-on experience with their craft. The Diploma in Dental Hygiene emphasizes technology, experiential learning, and how to apply what you learn practically as a dental hygienist. With this diploma, you can qualify for a license to practice as a dental hygienist in Canada.
Diploma students can then opt in for the one-year degree completion program to complete their dental hygienist course in Canada. You graduate with a Bachelor of Dental Hygiene, which includes options to experience alternative practice settings, health promotion, health policy, and more.
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba’s School of Dental Hygiene offers a 3-year diploma in the subject. The Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry is one of the leading dental schools in North America thanks to its emphasis on experiential learning. Students pursuing this dental hygienist course in Canada will gain clinical experience and exposure from the first year of the program. In their second year, they will experience providing oral health care across a variety of practical settings, including private dental offices, hospitals, schools, and research labs.
You qualify for the dental hygiene license after completing the diploma and can continue into the one-year degree completion program with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene.
Diploma Courses
Diploma courses are generally the first step in qualifying for a degree in dental hygiene in Canada. Aside from the options we discuss above, other Canadian higher education providers offering a dental hygienist course include:
● Durham College
● Vancouver Island University
● Fanshawe College
● Canadore College
You can explore a thorough course subject list for dentistry in Canada and elsewhere with the GRADSearch tool!
Career Prospects
Career prospects in the field of dental hygiene are very promising. You can become a licensed professional after completing the appropriate dental hygienist course with approval from relevant governing bodies.
Workplaces you can consider after you finish your course in dental hygiene include:
● private dental practices
● public health and community health centers
● professional dental hygiene associations and regulatory bodies
● homecare and outreach programs
● universities and community colleges
● government (policy and planning, lobbying)
● industry (insurance and dental supply companies)
● research and consulting
Rounding Up
Taking a dental hygienist course in Canada can set you on the path to future career success. Careers in dental hygiene are fulfilling and offer great salaries. Generally, courses in dental hygiene are between 1-3 years long. To discover the right program opportunity for you, discover course options through GRADSearch, our comprehensive course matcher, or by booking an appointment with a Student Success Consultant at Gradstar!
