32111 - Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists
Broad Occupation Category
3 - Health occupations.
TEER
2 - Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years.
Major Group
32 - Technical occupations in health.
Sub-major Group
321 - Technical occupations in health (except practitioners of natural healing).
Minor Group
3211 - Technical occupations in dental health care.
Main Duties
Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct oral health assessments and patient screenings
- Take dental impressions and radiographs
- Perform teeth cleaning, scaling, and fluoride treatments
- Provide oral hygiene education and nutritional counseling
- Assist in restorative and orthodontic procedures
- Participate in community oral health programs
- Supervise dental assistants
- Conduct routine dental examinations
- Perform preventive dental procedures
- Take and develop dental X-rays
- Perform uncomplicated restorations and extractions
- Provide post-extraction care instructions
- Refer patients for advanced dental care
- Deliver oral health promotion activities
Employment Requirements
These are the typical employment requirements and benefits associated with this occupation in Canada:
- Dental hygienists require completion of a two- to three-year accredited dental hygiene program.
- Dental therapists require completion of a two- to three-year approved dental therapy diploma.
- Mandatory licensing with a provincial or territorial regulatory body is required.
- Dental therapist licensure is required in Saskatchewan, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
- Internationally educated applicants must complete credential recognition and licensing examinations before practice.
- Many employers offer healthcare benefits, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for independent or self-employed practice.
Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists Salary Prospects
Community/Area
Low ($/hour)
Median ($/hour)
High ($/hour)
Community/AreaCanada
Low ($/hour)27.00
Median ($/hour)39.00
High ($/hour)55.00
Community/AreaAlberta
Low ($/hour)21.00
Median ($/hour)55.00
High ($/hour)60.00
Community/AreaBritish Columbia
Low ($/hour)37.50
Median ($/hour)45.18
High ($/hour)55.00
Community/AreaManitoba
Low ($/hour)37.00
Median ($/hour)42.00
High ($/hour)49.45
Community/AreaNew Brunswick
Low ($/hour)24.73
Median ($/hour)35.00
High ($/hour)40.00
Community/AreaNewfoundland and Labrador
Low ($/hour)35.00
Median ($/hour)45.09
High ($/hour)64.58
Community/AreaNova Scotia
Low ($/hour)32.27
Median ($/hour)35.00
High ($/hour)39.00
Community/AreaOntario
Low ($/hour)30.00
Median ($/hour)37.50
High ($/hour)44.00
Community/AreaPrince Edward Island
Low ($/hour)29.00
Median ($/hour)35.00
High ($/hour)40.00
Community/AreaQuebec
Low ($/hour)25.00
Median ($/hour)32.00
High ($/hour)40.00
Community/AreaSaskatchewan
Low ($/hour)39.00
Median ($/hour)46.50
High ($/hour)60.00
Community/AreaNorthwest Territories
Low ($/hour)N/A
Median ($/hour)N/A
High ($/hour)N/A
Community/AreaNunavut
Low ($/hour)N/A
Median ($/hour)N/A
High ($/hour)N/A
Community/AreaYukon
Low ($/hour)N/A
Median ($/hour)N/A
High ($/hour)N/A
Immigrate as a Dental Hygienist or Dental Therapist with GTR Immigration
Planning to immigrate to Canada under NOC 32111? GTR Immigration provides expert support with eligibility assessment, credential recognition, licensing guidance, and immigration pathways including Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs.
