Job prospects Dentist in Ontario

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

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

Good

The employment outlook will be good for Dentists (NOC 31110) in Ontario for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

  • Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
  • Several positions will become available due to retirements.
  • There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

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

 

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

  • 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
  • Public-sector investments in affordable dental care should support job prospects

 

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

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

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

Learn more

Labour Market Information Survey
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