How to become a dental hygienist or dental therapist
Official title: Dental hygienists and dental therapists
Also called: Dental nurse, Dental hygienist, Dental therapist, Orthodontic hygienist, Periodontal hygienist, Dental hygiene technician, Licensed dental therapist, Community dental hygienist, Expanded duty dental nurse, Dental hygienist technician, Registered dental hygienist, Registered dental therapist
Dental hygienists provide dental hygiene treatment and services related to oral health promotion and disease and mouth injury prevention. They are employed in a variety of settings including dentists' offices, hospitals, private clinics, educational institutions, public health agencies or they may be self-employed. Dental therapists provide limited restorative dental treatment in addition to dental hygiene services. They are employed by the federal government and the provincial governments to provide services in rural and remote communities.
Main tasks
- Dental hygienists
- Conduct patient screening and oral health assessments, including taking vital signs and documenting patient medical and health history
- Take dental impressions
- Take and develop X-rays
- Perform preventative dental procedures such as teeth cleaning, scaling, gum stimulation and fluoride and sealant applications
- Provide oral care instructions such as oral hygiene procedures, strategies to maintain and improve oral health and on the impact of nutrition on oral health
- Consult with dentists on patient care
- May perform restorative and orthodontic procedures under the direction of a dentist
How to become one
Completion of a two- to three- year college dental hygiene program, approved by the governing board within the province or territory of residence, is usually required for dental hygienists. Dental therapists are required to complete a two- to three- year college diploma from an approved dental institution program. Licensing by the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body is required for dental hygienists. Licensure is required for dental therapists in Saskatchewan, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 75% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Dental support services and allied professions; Dentistry (DDS, DMD); Biological and physical sciences.
- Licence or registration: Licensing by the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body is required for dental hygienists. Licensure is required for dental therapists in Saskatchewan, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $87,750 a year The middle half earn $76,050 to $105,300.
- About 33,900 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 43,900 are projected by 2033. (+29.5%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: strong risk of shortage.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a dental hygienist or dental therapist?
Completion of a two- to three- year college dental hygiene program, approved by the governing board within the province or territory of residence, is usually required for dental hygienists. Dental therapists are required to complete a two- to three- year college diploma from an approved dental institution program. Licensing by the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body is required for dental hygienists. Licensure is required for dental therapists in Saskatchewan, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
How much does a dental hygienist or dental therapist earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $87,750 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $76,050 to $105,300.
Is a dental hygienist or dental therapist a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 30% by 2033, from about 33,900 to about 43,900 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a dental hygienist or dental therapist?
Usually not. Only 21% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03