Job prospects Dentist in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "dentist" in Ontario or Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

Note: These outlooks were updated on November 29th, 2023. Learn more about our methodology.

Prospects over the next 3 years

Very good

The employment outlook will be very good for Dentists (NOC 31110) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

  • Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
  • Several positions will become available due to retirements.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

  • The majority of dentists are self-employed in dental offices

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

  • Demand for dental services is influenced by dental insurance coverage rates, population growth, household incomes, and public awareness of oral hygiene
  • Increased popularity of cosmetic, aesthetic and orthodontic procedures may support employment opportunities in this occupation
  • The aging population is expected to increase the demand for geriatric dentistry including restorative and more complex dental work
  • Access to private insurance and workplace insurance plans, which cover the majority of spending on dental services, may support more routine dental visits

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

  • The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario regulates the dentistry profession

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

  • There are a limited number of training programs for dentists in Ontario
  • In general, Bridging Programs are available to assist internationally trained professionals in various fields enter the labour market more quickly in Ontario.

Here are some key facts about Dentists in Ontario:

  • Approximately 10,050 people work in this occupation.
  • Dentists mainly work in the following sectors:
    • Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
  • The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
    • Full-time workers: 80% compared to 81% for all occupations
    • Part-time workers: 20% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • 30% of dentists work all year, while 70% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
  • 83% of dentists are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
  • The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
    • Men: 56% compared to 52% for all occupations
    • Women: 43% compared to 48% for all occupations
  • The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
    • no high school diploma: n/a
    • high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
    • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
    • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
    • bachelor's degree: n/a
    • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Legend

0 out of 5 stars
Undetermined
1 out of 5 stars
Very limited
2 out of 5 stars
Limited
3 out of 5 stars
Moderate
4 out of 5 stars
Good
5 out of 5 stars
Very good
Location Job prospects
Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula Region Very good
Kingston–Pembroke Region Good
Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie Region Very good
London Region Good
Muskoka–Kawarthas Region Very good
Northeast Region Very good
Northwest Region Good
Ottawa Region Good
Stratford–Bruce Peninsula Region Very good
Toronto Region Very good
Windsor-Sarnia Region Good

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "dentist" in Ontario or Canada.

Learn more

Labour Market Information Survey
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