Dental Hygienists are amongst Canada’s top 10 professions with futuristic growth. Dental Hygienist course in Canada for international students have remained in demand due to the attractive salary, high job satisfaction, and scope the profession offers. Canadian Business has even stated that dental hygiene is ranked as one of the best jobs to do in Canada. The demand is real as FDHRC revealed, there is 30,400 registered dental hygienist in Canada.
With this profession having a limelight in the country known to offer the best education system globally, studying a dental hygienist course in Canada after BDS is a wise decision. Thus to help you better, this blog covers all the essential information related to dental hygienist course duration in Canada.
Why Study Dental Hygienist Course In Canada For International Students?
Before we can proceed towards learning the dental hygienist course in Canada, let’s analyze why Canada is the preferred study destination for this course?
- High Job Security: The Canadian Dental Hygiene Association conducts a frequent survey on the course often. As per the 2021 survey of CDHA, the unemployment rate for this job profession is at 1%, which is much lesser than the overall Canadian unemployment rate of 5.5%.
- Higher Salaries: After completing a dental hygienist course in Canada, graduates in this stream have a range of job profiles. In fact, starting from freshers to experienced, the payscale exhibits excellent numbers. On average, a dental hygienist earns C$ 63, 667 CAD/year. A registered dental hygienist makes 70, 031 CAD/year. Southern Ontario Dental College revealed salaries have grown 12% higher since 2012.
- High Job Satisfaction: CDHA states that 53% of respondents will continue to work for more than ten years in the dental hygiene space, however, clinical capacity. Pursuing dental hygienist course in Canada for international students isn’t limited to one type of job. Dental hygienists deal with patients who face multiple problems, thus eliminating a repetitive job each day.
- Futuristic Job Demand: Studying a dental hygienist course in Canada proves beneficial as the job demand is high in the country. Close to 91% of dental hygienists work in clinical spaces while the rest are self-employed.
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Eligibility Criteria For Dental Hygienist Course In Canada After BDS
Before we can head towards learning the dental hygienist course fee in Canada for international students, a set of eligibility criteria needs to be followed. These criteria vary based on universities in Canada, but this is the standard requirement in all.
- All official transcripts ( Bachelors- Postsecondary certificates, Masters- Bachelor and post-secondary certificates, Ph.D.- Bachelors and Masters certificates
- OSSD Equivalent educational qualifications
- 30 credit hours of study
- Completed pre-requisite courses with a score of 3.0 out of 4
- Pass an English language proficiency exam (TOEFL= 90, IELTS- 6.5, CAEL- 70)
Admission Requirements For 18 Month Dental Hygiene Programs In Canada
Here is an overview of the admission requirements when applying for dental hygiene programs in Canada:
- Find the universities that offer dental hygiene courses. Identify what study level they provide, the course curriculum, specialization courses, etc.
- Visit the official universities website and learn the entry requirements.
- Submit all the documents and tests required before the applications deadline.
- An Interview will be scheduled with you.
- Once confirmed, start applying for funding and a Canadian student visa.
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Documents Required for Dental Hygienist Course Duration In Canada
You need to submit certain documents to complete your application process. Ensure all the below are checked:
- All official transcripts
- English language proficiency score results
- NDHCB certificate
- Statement of Purpose
- Immunization and CPR proof
- Course by course world education services evaluation report
Note: These are the overall expectations when applying for Dental Hygiene courses in Canada. It is advised to visit the universities website or contact them to get clear information for the type of study level you’re applying for the course.
Cost Of Studying In Dental Hygiene Colleges In Canada
The cost of studying Dental Hygiene in Canada depends on two factors, cost of living and tuition fees. Let’s learn them one by one:
Tuition Fees
The dental hygienist course fee in Canada ranges between 7000- 46,000 CAD annually.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Canada ranges between 900 CAD to 1500 a month. Most of the expenses is accommodation and the lifestyle choice you make.
Top Dental Hygiene Colleges In Canada
Canada is home to a range of QS-ranked dental hygiene colleges in Canada. These universities offer a 18 month dental hygiene programs in Canada as well. We have covered the top ones for you:
- Southern Ontario Dental College
- Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries
1. University of Alberta
University of Alberta offers international students a range of dentistry and specialization courses. These courses range from general dentistry to pediatric dentistry and more. All dental courses are research-based programs and apply original research to complete the study period.
Type |
Public University |
Course Duration |
Bachelor= 4 years, Masters studies- 3-4 years, PhD studies= 3- 6 years |
Programs Offered |
Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, MSc in Dental Hygiene, Ph.D. in Dentistry |
Average Tuition Fees |
7500- 11,100 CAD/year |
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
110 |
2. University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba is one of the top dental schools in Canada. The university has a 50-year history of helping intelligent minds graduate in this field. Students work closely with researchers and clinicians as they are experts in this field locally and globally. This works on enhancing the learning experience of students here.
Type |
Public University |
Course Duration |
Bachelor studies= 1.2 years, Diploma= 3 years |
Programs Offered |
Diploma in Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene |
Average Tuition Fees |
- |
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
651-700 |
3. Dalhousie University
Dalhousie is another famous dental school in Canada. The study environment here is focused more on students making it easier to conduct meaningful lessons. Students here will learn a blend of medicine and dentistry. Dalhousie University has a modern dental clinic to practice dental activities better.
Type |
Public University |
Course Duration |
2 years |
Programs Offered |
Diploma of Dental Hygiene, Bachelor of Dental Hygiene |
Average Tuition Fees |
10,425 CAD/year, Graduate studies- 5000- 11,000 CAD/year |
QS World University Rankings 2023 |
308 |
4. Southern Ontario Dental College
Southern Ontario Dental College offers the best dental courses in the form of a diploma. Students here have a 99% graduation rate and a 95% employment rate. In 2011, this college under went a change in the dental curriculum to offer students the modern knowledge required to work in the current dental profession.
Type |
Private Career college |
Course Duration |
22 months |
Programs Offered |
Diploma of Dental Hygiene |
Average Tuition Fees |
Need to contact the college |
5. Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries
This college is another institute that offers a diploma in dental hygiene in Canada. This college has a large and small classroom size ensuring that students receive suitable study attention. All the equipment used here is modern and up to date. Toronto College understands the importance of Dental hygiene which is why they also offer other dental courses too at their Vancouver college.
Type |
Private Career Colleges |
Course Duration |
18 months |
Programs Offered |
Diploma of Dental Hygiene |
Average Tuition Fees |
45,800 CAD ( study length) |
Scholarship Opportunities For Dental Hygienist Course In Canada After BDS
The dental hygienist course fee in Canada for international students doesn’t have to be expensive. Canada offers funding opportunities to cater to tight-budgeted students who wish to study here but are short on funds. There are multiple scholarship opportunities available to pursue dental hygienist course in Canada after BDS. We have covered the top ones:
Scholarship Name |
Eligibility Criteria |
Amount |
Albert Bodnarchuk Award in Dentistry |
Pursue DDS in University of Alberta |
628.84 CAD |
Alberta Blue Cross 50th Anniversary Dental Scholarship |
Pursue Dentistry and Dental Hygiene at University of Alberta |
1,571.84 CAD |
Barbara Ann Zier Memorial Scholarship |
Pursue Bachelors in Science in Dental Hygiene at University of Alberta |
3,457.42 CAD |
Dr. Soo Kin Lan Prize in Dentistry |
Studying Dentistry either in Postgraduate or Residency Program at McGill University |
628.84 CAD |
B.C. Society of Orthodontists Charles C. Craig Memorial Scholarship |
Pursuing Orthodontics degree at University of British Columbia |
628.84 CAD |
Career Opportunities After 18 Month Dental Hygiene Programs In Canada
Graduating as a Dental hygienist opens a room of job opportunities for you. Based on your skills and experience, the pay scale and job profile will vary in Canada accordingly. Thus after you graduate from your dental hygiene course in Canada after BDS in India, these are the job profiles and average annual salary to expect:
Job Profile |
Average Annual Salary |
Dental Public Health Officer |
102,409 CAD |
Dental Hygienist |
63,667 CAD |
Dental Office Manager |
100,000 CAD |
Treatment Coordinator, Dental |
51,491 CAD |
Dental Assistant |
41,256 CAD |
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Graduating from the top dental hygiene colleges in Canada earns you educational credentials that shape your dental career for the best. The country is recognized well for its dental education, so it’s time to build your career in the hands of these experts. While this information is copious, you can still consult a Yocket counsellor to be affirmative about your investment in a dental hygienist course in Canada for international students.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Hygienist Course In Canada For International Students
Ques: Can international students pursue dental hygiene diploma in Canada?
Ans: Yes, international students can pursue dental hygiene diploma in Canada as long as they have met the eligibility and admission requirements of the university and have a valid Canadian student visa.
Ques: How many years does it take to study post graduate diploma in dental hygiene in Canada?
Ans: It takes 18 months to complete studying dental hygiene course in Canada.
Ques: Is pursuing a diploma in dental hygiene in Canada a good choice?
Ans: Pursuing a dental hygiene diploma in Canada for international students is a wise choice. The reason being high demand of the profession, competitive salary, employee benefits, etc.
Ques: Is it easy to get a job as a dental hygienist in Canada after studying advanced diploma in dental hygiene in Canada?
Ans: Since dental hygienists are in high demand in Canada concerning the course and employment, finding a job in this profession isn’t very difficult.
Ques: How many dental hygienists are there in Canada presently?
Ans: As per CDA, currently, there are over 1200, dental hygienists in Canada.