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Doctor
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in co-ordinating information gathered from examining patients' teeth, gums and surrounding tissue to design bridgework, fit dentures and provide appliances to correct abnormal positioning of the teeth and jaws
Interest in precision working with dental and surgical instruments
Interest in mentoring patients by instructing them on oral hygiene to prevent dental problems
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
In general, dentists:
With further training, dentists may specialize in:
Dentists usually work regular weekday hours but may work some weekends and evenings. They must sometimes respond to emergencies after hours.
Dentists use delicate hand tools and power-driven precision instruments. They must wear safety glasses, masks and gloves. They must use proper techniques to prevent and control infection. When taking x-rays and using some materials, they must follow safety guidelines.
Dentists need to possess:
They should enjoy finding creative solutions to problems, doing precise work with tools and equipment, and helping people.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 20 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 26, 2021 and May 26, 2022.
Review these skills to learn:
| Perform oral surgery, periodontal surgery and other treatments | 17 |
|---|---|
| Diagnose disease, injury and decay and plan appropriate treatment | 16 |
| Restore, extract and replace diseased and decayed teeth | 16 |
| Examine patients' teeth, gums and surrounding tissue | 16 |
| Clean teeth and instruct patients on oral hygiene | 16 |
| Supervise staff | 14 |
| Write fabrication instructions or prescriptions for use by denturists and dental technicians | 13 |
| Design bridgework, fit dentures and provide appliances | 13 |
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 12 |
| Personal Suitability: Accurate | 12 |
The minimum educational requirement is 2 years in a bachelor of science program and then a 4-year undergraduate program in Doctor of Dental Surgery, or Doctor of Dental Medicine.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Dentists evaluate, diagnose and treat (surgically or non surgically) diseases, disorders and conditions of the mouth (teeth, gums and other supporting structures), the maxillofacial area (upper and lower jaws and joints) and the adjacent and associated structures of the head and neck to maintain and improve a person's physical, psychological and social health.
Under Alberta's Health Professions Act and Dentists Profession Regulation, registration with the Alberta Dental Association and College is mandatory if you meet identified competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public, teach the practice of the profession to members or students of the profession or supervise registered members or students who provide services to the public. Registered members, who are authorized by the College, provide restricted activities specified in the Regulation. Only registered members may call themselves dentists.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Dentist.
Dentists may begin private (solo) practice right after they graduate. Partnerships with established dentists and group practices are becoming more popular. Some dentists work for government health services or the Canadian Armed Forces.
Career options outside of dental practice include working as dental educators, researchers or administrators.
In Alberta, 98% of people employed as dentists work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 3113: Dentists occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 4.2% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 110 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Alberta Dental Association and College website: www.dentalhealthalberta.ca
Association of Prosthodontists of Canada (APC) website: www.prosthodontics.ca
Canadian Academy of Endodontics (ACE) website: caendo.org
Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (CAPD) website: www.capd-acdp.org
Canadian Academy of Periodontology (CAP) website: www.cap-acp.ca
Canadian Academy of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics (CARDP) website: cardp.ca
Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (CAOMS) website: www.caoms.com
Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry (CAPHD) website: www.caphd.ca
Canadian Dental Association (CDA) website: www.cda-adc.ca
Canadian Association of Orthodontists (CAO) website: cao-aco.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 15, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.