How to Become a Dentist in Canada: A Guide for Internationally Trained Dentists
- media81366
- Aug 1
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 11
Starting a dental career in Canada as an internationally trained dentist can feel overwhelming. Those who earned their degree outside Canada must complete an equivalency process to align with Canadian education standards. Without clarity, it’s easy to lose time and money or make the wrong decisions.
We frequently receive inquiries from dentists worldwide seeking guidance. To give you a clearer roadmap, here are the most commonly asked questions and essential information about becoming a licensed dentist in Canada.
Two Pathways To Becoming a Dentist In Canada
For internationally trained dentists, there are two pathways to become a licensed dentist in Canada.
University Pathway: You need to take the ADAT Exam as an admission test to get admitted into a Canadian university. After completing the university program, you must pass the Virtual OSCE exam to obtain your license.
NDEB Equivalency Process: If you have your degree from outside of Canada, you can go through this process. The first step is getting approval from the NDEB. Following this, you must complete the AFK, ACJ, and NDECC Exams to become eligible for the Virtual OSCE exam. Upon successful completion, you will receive your NDEB certificate.
Time and Cost Considerations
The time and cost involved in each pathway can vary significantly.
Timeframe:
University pathway: It can take up to 3-4 years.
NDEB pathway: This can take 2-3 years.
Cost:
University pathway: The cost can range from $100K to $200K.
NDEB pathway: This can cost between $30K to $60K.
The Licensure Process
To become a licensed dentist in Canada, whether in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, or any other province, you must follow a national licensure process overseen by the NDEB Canada. While the NDEB certifies that you’re competent and qualified, it does not license you to practice dentistry. That role falls to provincial regulatory bodies, which differ across provinces.
Ontario: Royal College Of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO)
Alberta: Alberta Dental Association (ADA)
British Columbia: BC College Of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP)
Quebec: Ordre Des Dentistes Du Quebec (ODQ)
Once you’re NDEB certified, you must apply to the province-specific authority to get your license, pay your fees, and start practicing as a dentist.
Understanding the NDEB Equivalency Process
The NDEB Equivalency Process costs around CAD 12,600 if all exams are passed on the first attempt. This includes fees for credentialing, AFK, ACJ, and the NDECC (SJ + Skills). With prep courses, travel, and possible retakes, total expenses can reach $30,000–$60,000+. It’s a significant investment, so proper planning and preparation are essential.
Exam Costs and Structure
The Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK) exam, part of the NDEB Equivalency Process, currently costs CAD 1,000 per attempt. The cost of the AFK course can be around 5-9K. The important thing is that the AFK exam has only 3 attempts. Most candidates prefer to start preparing with the prep course, as losing an attempt can lead to failure.
Other important things to consider are:
If you decide to withdraw after registering:
- Up to 15 days before registration deadline: 25% fee retained
- Within 14 days of the exam or no-show: Full fee lost
Optional extras include:
- Score verification: $200
- Appeals: $1,200
Is NDEB Valid in the U.S.?
No, the NDEB is only valid in Canada as the licensing body. To practice in the U.S., you must pass the INBDE exam and complete a clinical licensure pathway as per the requirements of the state where you want to practice as a dentist.
Steps for Internationally Trained Dentists
For internationally trained dentists going through the NDEB equivalency process, the first exam is the AFK exam, followed by the ACJ and then the NDECC Exam. The NDECC Exam has two components: clinical skills and situational judgment. After that, you can take the Virtual OSCE and apply for your NDEB certificate from your provincial regulatory body.
Working as a Dental Hygienist
Yes, a foreign-trained dentist can work as a dental hygienist in Canada, but you must first become licensed as a dental hygienist through the proper regulatory body. Being a dentist does not automatically make you eligible to work as a hygienist. The time of the entire process varies from province to province and can be anywhere between 6 months and 2 years.
Career Prospects in Canada
Yes, dentistry is considered a very good career in Canada, both in terms of income potential and long-term stability. Canada can be a good option for foreign-trained dentists. Between 2022 and 2031, Canada is expected to have 13,500 dentist job openings, but only 10,500 job seekers entering the pool.
Yes, dentistry is a great career in Canada—financially stable, respected, and fulfilling. However, it requires hard work, long-term planning, and a serious commitment to pass the licensing process.
Demand for Dentists
Yes, dentists are in high demand in Canada, especially in rural areas and smaller communities. While urban areas like Toronto and Vancouver may feel saturated, the national trend shows a growing need for dental professionals due to population growth, aging demographics, and expanded access to dental care through new public programs.
The rural and northern areas of provinces like Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Newfoundland face a shortage of dentists. These areas offer higher income potential and government incentives for those willing to relocate. Over 35% of Canadians report avoiding dental care due to cost. This gap is expected to narrow as public funding expands, increasing patient volume.
The Canadian dental plan, CDCP, launched in 2024, will provide publicly funded dental care for millions of low and middle-income Canadians, increasing demand for services in both public and private clinics.
Pathway for Dentists from India
Yes, a dentist from India can work in Canada, but not directly as a dentist right away. You must go through a licensing process to become eligible to practice. This applies to all internationally trained dentists from non-accredited programs (like India, Pakistan, Egypt, etc.).
Here’s the pathway for internationally trained dentists:
NDEB Equivalency Process: Pass the NDEB Exams, which include AFK, ACJ, and NDECC, and then write the OSCE exam. Once passed, you can register as a licensed dentist in any province.
University Pathway: Join a Canadian dental school (e.g., UofT, University of Manitoba) in a 2–3 year bridging program for internationally trained dentists. Joining the university is a bigger financial commitment for most international students, as it can cost anywhere from 100K-200K CAD.
Applying for the NDEB Process
To apply for the NDEB process, you will need to:
Create an NDEB profile.
Submit required documents, which include your transcripts, dental degree certificate, government-issued photo ID, and you may need to notarize documents, i.e., translated into English or French if needed.
You may need some other documents depending on the country you are applying from.
NDEB Exam Structure
The NDEB (National Dental Examining Board of Canada) has a structured pathway for internationally trained dentists. If you are from a non-accredited dental program (e.g., India, Egypt, Pakistan, etc.), you must complete the Equivalency Process, which includes 3 core exams:
AFK (Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge): AFK is a theory-based exam covering all areas of dentistry. Format: 2 papers (each 150 MCQs), over one day.
ACJ (Assessment of Clinical Judgement): ACJ tests your ability to interpret cases, radiographs, and make diagnostic decisions.
NDECC (National Dental Examination of Clinical Competence): The NDECC exam has two components: Situational Judgement and Clinical Skills. The Clinical skills test your ability to perform technical procedures on typodont teeth, simulating real clinical tasks. The Situational Judgement tests your critical thinking, professionalism, and clinical judgment in real-world dental scenarios.
Last but not least is the virtual OSCE exam, which is a station-based exam with case-based scenarios and questions. Candidates get 50–60 questions across multiple timed stations. This exam focuses on interpretation, treatment planning, pharmacology, ethics, etc.
After passing all the exams, you are eligible to register as a licensed dentist in any Canadian province.
Comparing NDEB and INBDE
Both NDEB and INBDE are essential exams for dental licensure, but they belong to two different countries and serve different purposes in the licensure process.
| Feature | NDEB | INBDE |
|---------|------|-------|
| Country | Canada | United States |
| Full Form | National Dental Examining Board | Integrated National Board Dental Examination |
| Purpose | Certifies dentists for practice in Canada | Licensure exam for practice in the USA |
| Who takes it? | Canadian dental graduates, International dentists (via equivalency process) | U.S. and Canadian dental students (CODA-accredited), International students entering U.S. advanced standing programs |
| Exam type | Written, clinical + situational judgement | Integrated written exam (no clinical hands-on) |
| Duration | 2-3 years | 2-day exam |
| Cost | 20K -30K | ~$700–$900 (exam fee only) |
| License Outcome | License to practice in Canada | Required for U.S. dental licensure (plus clinical exam or residency) |
Conclusion
Starting your journey as a dentist in Canada as an internationally trained professional may seem complex, but with the right information and a strategic plan, it’s achievable. Whether you choose the university pathway or the NDEB equivalency route, understanding the steps, costs, and timelines can help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes.
The demand for dentists across Canada continues to grow, especially in underserved areas, making this a rewarding and future-proof career choice. By committing to the process, staying organized, and seeking guidance when needed, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful dental career in Canada.