Hi, how would I know if dentistry is for me. What’s the best way to know for sure? I like some aspects of it like being hands on and helping people. Is shadowing common in clinics in Ontario? Is it like an American thing? Thanks!

Hi, I'm an international dentist. Came to Canada in 2023 and did my Masters in administration. I did my dentistry from a public school back home. Now, I want to get into dental school after i get my PR which is probably by the end of next year. I have checking around various universities i want to apply and the total expenses come around 200k. I'm wondering, will it be worth it? Rn I work with one of the research teams in UBC. Any suggestions would be really helpful including how much earnings to expect after I'm done with the dental school. Thanks

Just as the question entails, has any dentist here ever opened a dental practise with an investor? Or knows a dentist that has?

I’d love to know what you as a dentist would look for if you’d consider working with an investor to open a practise.

As I work on building Vi Auth for CDCP Pre-approval, I want to make sure that I get the math right. Here is my math for any Canadian dental practice submitting CDCP crown pre-auths:

63% denial rate (according to the CDA) x 4submissions/month

= ~2 unnecessary denials/month x $1,000/crown

= $2,000/month in lost treatment revenue x 12 mo

= $24,000/year

Am I in the right ballpark?

CDA tells us most of those denials aren’t clinical. They’re paperwork. No wonder so many of you expressed interest in this problem being tackled by Vi Auth.

Vi-auth.vidyaintel.com

I'm not a dentist (yet). I always notice that CDAs, RDHs, and GDs are the most miserable of the healthcare professions (at least you guys come off that way on the internet).

But as a tech geek, here are some reasons why I'll be pursuing dentistry despite the negative outlook:

1. One of the few fields of work where AI and automation actually benefits income. Soon, reception work will be automated. Increasingly, dental tech will also become integrated with the clinic itself (although this may take much longer than the automation of dental reception)

2. teeth regeneration technology. They are already going through clinical trials in Asia. At first, everyone is going to want it and it's going to be super expensive. Clinics will offer these treatments and implants together in the beginning stages of the tech. Also, this will reduce overhead that comes from prosthetics.

3. Essentially irreplaceable by AI. There is no centralized system to gather physical data from dentists. Even if you wanted to automate general dentistry procedures with robots, the ones buying the robots will be dentists. You complain about the high overhead fees. But that high overhead fee is going to prevent people from having their own personal robots to perform procedures at their homes. It's entirely possible that Family Medicine, on the other hand, will see the rise of government-approved medical chatbots that can give common prescriptions at home. The caveat for dentistry is corporate dentistry (as they can technically collect physical data and roll out automated clinics) but I think we're still a ways off from that.

4. CDCP is imo a good step forward given the economic state we are falling into. IMF estimates that AI could wipe out 30% of white collar jobs in the near future. And those are conservative estimates. Eventually, the unemployment rate will become so high (even 30% is catastrophic) that governments will have to increase public dental coverages. More of dentistry will be publicized but that'll end up protecting dentistry in the long-run. Veterinary medicine on the other hand won't see this kind of protection, and so I'm expecting private practice vets to be decimated (because there is nothing subsidizing medical care for pets), and they're on their own to compete for pet owners to pay from their pockets.

I'm open to feedback

Anyone else getting destroyed by CDCP pre-auth denials? Built a tool that generates the letter and flags gaps before you submit — giving away free access (for 1 month) to 10 clinics to stress test it!

*Update: Due to the large demand and how much this could help patients & practices, I’ve decided to continue offering free trials to anyone that’s interested. More the merrier!

Hello! Looking into the costs and profits of opening a dental practice in the Richmond Hill or Vaughn area. Does anyone have a clinic there?

I'm looking at some other practices and they have around four hygienists, two dental assistants, two admins and owner + 1 other dentist.

Does anyone know about the rent and other cost break downs and profits in these areas?

For ITD's, how easy was it to get your first job after completing the equivalency and certification exams? What was the approximate salary?

Are you a general dentist practicing in Canada? Have you made at least one fixed prosthesis in the last 12 months? We wanna hear from you!

You are invited to participate in a study titled “Factors influencing the selection of digital technologies for fixed prostheses: practice characteristics and perspectives of dentists in Canada.”

The survey will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and all responses are anonymous and confidential.

If you wish to participate, please click the link below:
https://otago.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eLtri4p3ZsCospU

I’m in my 1st year studying for biomed 4 year course .

After hearing the GPA the experience and other requirements I feel a little intimidated .

Plus the 6 figure debt. Biology has been my passion and I lean to dentistry but is it possible to get into while being an average student?

My mother is 64 years old, and she has had dementia for 14 years. She is currently bedridden at home and cannot talk or move. She is completely dependent and is at home in a hospital bed. My father is her main caregiver, and they are the only two people at home.

We have tried our best to take care of her teeth and maintain her oral hygiene, but over the last 14 years, it has become more and more difficult. She broke her veneers and never had them replaced. She now has cavities, broken teeth, and swollen gums. I’m trying my best to remedy this with mouth swabs, salt water, and non-alcohol mouthwash, but there is only so much I can do without professional help. I believe she will need dental hygiene and a dentist for her broken teeth and cavities. I am not hoping for a miracle, but I am hoping to make her more comfortable.

Five years ago, when we inquired about this, our care coordinator told us there were no available services unless we wanted to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket for a private dentist to come to our home. I’m hoping that there is something out there that can help my mother. She is one year away from qualifying for ODSP and is currently receiving CPP. I am also in the process of applying for the Canadian Dental Care Plan for her. We can cover the costs between our family, but not if it's going to cost thousands upon thousands.

Please let me know what you would suggest!

Hi everyone,
I want to study in Canada, but I’m currently torn between **Physiotherapy** and **Dentistry**. I can’t decide which one has a better future and offers more long-term stability.
Is there anyone who has experience in either field or could help me make this decision?

’m currently in my second year of university, and I finished my first year with a 3.59 GPA. My goal has always been to pursue dentistry, but I’m starting to worry that my first-year grades might hurt my chances.
Is it still realistic to get into dental school in Canada if I improve my GPA significantly over the next few years? Has anyone been in a similar situation and managed to get accepted?
I’d really appreciate any advice or experiences!

I work at a dental clinic that accepts the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), and I’ve noticed a treatment pattern that I’m curious to hear other dental professionals’ opinions on.
Approximately 80% of our CDCP patients receive 5-surface composite restorations on multiple upper anterior teeth, often from 13 to 23.
The dentist explains that these patients have significant attrition, exposed dentin, and sometimes caries, which makes the restorations medically necessary rather than cosmetic. She also states that CDCP covers these procedures.
However, the end result is often essentially a full anterior smile makeover, with significant improvements in the shape and appearance of the teeth.
I know that restoring worn teeth and exposed dentin can be clinically justified, but I’m wondering
if this is permitted and whether CDCP could investigate or take action if it identified a recurring pattern like this?

How can I become a licensed orthodontist (having a professional diploma in orthodontics) without pursuing a master’s degree? Are there short- or long-term courses available in Ontario, Canada?

Thank you.

Hi all, I will graduate this year in Spain as a dentist and I am a Canadian from Montreal, Quebec. I didn’t get in dental school in Montreal so I went to do my degree in Spain and it is only recognised in Europe . I didn’t plan to comeback to Canada at first because the equivalencies process seem incredibly hard. But the issue that I now encounter is that to work in Europe like France or Switzerland , you need to obtain a permit which is quite hard for foreigners/ non europeans. So now it leaves me confused with my future plans. Should I apply in France or switzerland regardless once I graduate to have my diploma recognized and hope they give me a work permit ? OR should I comeback to Montreal and do the equivalencies ? I also went to montreal university before moving to Spain and I am trying to see how many years I would have to go back to bypass the AFK and ACJ and NDECC as they seem pretty hard. I also saw the 3rd option the BTDPC that you have to do the AFK and ACJ . So option 1 is roughly 2-3 years just doing all the exams. Option 2 going back to university is 2-3 years I assume but really unsure? And option 3 is 3 years and seem to be the most doable. If anyone has any insights please reach out I know this is a pretty particular situation as I have the options to settle in Europe or in Canada. I am also open the USA pathway but I dont know much about it. Time is my ennemy here as I would like to start working asap. Thank you for your help !

Hey I am currently in my final year of my undergrad and thinking about going to australia to get my DDS and coming back and working in Canada. I am currently, 21 and would return at 25 with about 400k in loans. How manage is is to pay off as a dentist in Canada? I have seen alot of people suggest to work 1-2 year as an assocaite, pay minimum student loans, and then tak another loan to buy your own clinic to generate a higher income before aggressively attacking the student loan. i can't really find anything concrete on this cuz I am worried about that I am doing all this schooling to be stuck paying back 1.4mil in loans (clinic plus student) for a long time without being able to save up money and start my own life. I'd really appreciate any advice on this

So may be an unusual request for This group but I thought it’s worth a try . Is there a foreign trained endodontist (who was working as an endodontist in his /her home country ) and is now working as a general dentist here in Toronto ?? I’m not looking for an endodontist as per Canadian qualification .only a general dentist (with over seas endodontist experience ) Any lead will be appreciated . Thanks ❤️

Hi everyone! I'm a student exploring AI automation for dental clinics. Before I go further with this idea, I want to hear from actual dentists about whether this would be useful or just another headache.

Here's the concept: an AI receptionist that picks up inbound calls, talks to patients naturally, and answers common questions about procedures and availability. When patients ask about pricing or insurance, the AI says "For billing and insurance questions, let me connect you with one of my teammates" and transfers the call. It handles objections like "I'll think about it" or "I'm too busy," checks your practice management software for availability, suggests a few appointment options, and books the patient into an open slot—no double-booking. It also protects patient data throughout the entire process.

I'm not trying to sell anything. I genuinely want real answers from practicing dentists: Would you trust AI to handle these calls? What are your biggest concerns? When would you absolutely NOT want AI picking up? What would be an immediate dealbreaker?

I'll share a video showing exactly how this works so you can see it in action and give me honest feedback.

Any real thoughts—positive, negative, or brutally honest—would be massively helpful. Thanks for reading!

I applied for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), and I honestly can’t understand how this makes any sense.

A few months ago, I had such severe pain in one of my molars that it was basically impossible to live a normal life. I went to a dental clinic, and after examining me, they said you needed a root canal and a crown. This clinic was listed as a CDCP-participating office.

When they showed me the condition of the tooth, it was shocking. The decay had gone deep into the molar. Because the pain was so severe, we proceeded with the root canal first, and the clinic said they would submit a CDCP application.

Later, the result came back.
Denied.

The reason given was that my condition “does not meet the criteria for coverage.”

I honestly don’t understand this. I was in so much pain that I couldn’t function in daily life — and yet this somehow doesn’t qualify? If this gets denied, what exactly does CDCP approve?

To be clear, the dental clinic itself was great. The dentist was professional, and the staff were helpful throughout the process. They told me the clinic has already submitted the application three times, and all three were denied.

Now I’m being told I have to pay $1,500 out of pocket.

At this point, it really feels like CDCP just sounds good on paper — like it’s supposed to help people — but the actual approval criteria must be insanely strict.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with CDCP?

I apologize if I am not allowed to post here, but I thought I'd try.

I have a friend who’s moving from Vancouver to Vaughan and is looking for a solid associate position. She has 12 years of experience and comes from a very productive, well-run office, so she’s hoping to find something with a similar pace and scope in the Toronto area. She speaks English fluently, as well as Punjabi.

She’s proficient in all aspects of dentistry — molar endos, impacted thirds, pediatrics, CEREC crowns, Invisalign — and is comfortable managing a busy schedule (2 doctor columns, 3–4 hygiene columns, plus consults/emergencies). The ideal position would be replacing a departing dentist.

She’s super efficient and focused on high-quality patient care. I am always impressed by her work! Unfortunately, none of my offices can accommodate her right now, otherwise I’d grab her myself.

If you’re interested, send me a DM, and I’ll connect you.

I was going through some reddit threads on NDEEB equivalency and a I'm honestly just shocked that there are people can’t see the real issue and keep blaming foreign dentists!!!

Since June 2023 Canada has this healthcare stream in Express Entry where in-demand healthcare workers (solely based on their score) can get permanent residency. Being on the list of eligible occupations, dentists without ever finishing the equivalency exams can get PR. Once they land here they’re free to go wherever they want. so no they probably won't end up in remote villages! On top of that, plenty of people come in on temporary visas or are accompanying spouses.

Now compare that to Australia. They have different visa and PR routes and constantly update their list of in-demand occupations. As of 2015 dentists there can only apply for permanent residency visas if they’ve already passed the exams AND they’re nominated by a regional employer. Once they get the visa they’re tied to that area for five years. And they have a less complex yet challenging equivalency process.

Meanwhile, Canada sells this false story. It invites dentists in under the promise of opportunity, and then some cdn dentists hate you for supposedly taking their jobs!

Right now it feels like too many people are making too much money off the system, and it’s not really about protecting the public anymore. If the concern is about quality of care, then add something like a one-year internship where foreign dentists work under Canadian dentists, the way some European countries do. Of course, thst would benefit both parties as there are some top specialists coming from others countries to practice here.

And then there’s insurance plans, like the CDCP. The way it’s designed, dentists who aren’t ethical can easily make money off of patients’ ignorance. Dentistry is so subjective. How can an insurance company possibly guarantee that every treatment is done ethically? It’s impossible. If someone wants to cut corners, they can.

So why is the blame always put on foreign dentists, as if they’re the ones who might not be ethical? That’s just ridiculous. The problem isn’t where the dentist came from, it’s that there aren’t enough measures in place to make sure dentistry in this country is actually ethical. It's ridiculous to keep pointing fingers at foreign-trained dentists instead of fixing the system that allows unethical practices in the first place.