Dental Hygiene Education in Canada

Dental Hygiene Education in Canada

In Canada, dental hygiene education is offered in universities and public or private colleges. Students can pursue a diploma, an advanced diploma or a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene for entry to practice into the profession. Most programs’ length is equivalent to three years of study.

The curriculum focuses on oral and clinical science, with an emphasis on health and oral promotion, disease prevention and treatment, and motivational and communication strategies.

After graduating from a dental hygiene program, you must satisfy the entry-to-practice requirements set by the dental hygiene regulatory body in the province where you elect to practise.

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Guide to Credentials in Dental Hygiene in Canada

  • Dip DH: Diploma in dental hygiene (2 or 3 years)
  • Adv Dip DH: Advanced diploma in dental hygiene (3 years)
  • BDH: Bachelor Dental Hygiene (3 or 4 years)
  • BSc (DH): Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization (3 years))
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Pursuing Education Beyond a Dental Hygiene Diploma

Graduates from dental hygiene diploma programs interested in pursuing formal education can enroll in various degree-completion or graduate programs.

What are some benefits of further education for dental hygienists? It depends on the individual's career goals, aptitudes, and interests. Reasons for pursuing education after completing a dental hygiene diploma education may include:

  • Increasing knowledge base
  • Enhancing critical thinking abilities, researching, and writing/publishing skills
  • Simply for personal satisfaction
  • Pursuing a leading role in the dental hygiene community
  • Developing new career avenues
  • Accessing new employment opportunities
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Baccalaureate Degree-Completion Programs

What is a degree-completion program? This option is for practising and registered dental hygienists who graduated with a diploma or advanced diploma in dental hygiene to pursue their education and obtain a bachelor’s degree.

The University of British Columbia, Camosun College, University of Alberta, University of Manitoba, George Brown College, and Dalhousie University offer degree completion programs in which students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. These programs are delivered in person, via virtual/distance education, or offer a hybrid modality.

Many institutions teaching dental hygiene have articulation and transfer agreements with other educational institutions that facilitate the transfer of credits or advanced standing status toward achieving a bachelor’s degree in various fields other than dental hygiene. Contact the institution to inquire if such articulation agreements exist for dental hygienists.

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Degree Programs

The University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, University of Manitoba, and Dalhousie University all offer programs where students can graduate with a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. Click here for more information.

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Graduate and Doctoral Programs

The University of Alberta offers a Master of Science (MSc) in Dental Hygiene, the only graduate program in Canada specifically dedicated to dental hygiene. This research-based program includes didactic courses, original research carried out under supervision, and the completion of a thesis. There are other graduate programs specific to dental hygiene in the United States.

Many dental hygienists also pursue master’s degrees in public health, education, philosophy, psychology or sciences and select a research or capstone project related to dental hygiene.

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Guide to Degree Names

  • BSc—Bachelor of Science
  • BDSc—Bachelor of Dental Science
  • MSc—Master of Science
  • MSc—(Dental Hygiene)
  • MPH—Master of Public Health
  • PhD—Doctor of Philosophy
  • EdD—Doctor of Education

Dental Hygiene Programs in Canada

The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) sets standards and accredits oral health professional programs to ensure quality education and practitioners’ readiness to practice. Accreditation for dental hygiene programs is voluntary but highly recommended as it sets national standards for the profession and facilitates the mobility of dental hygienists from one province to another. For information on these requirements and a list of accredited dental hygiene programs, please visit the CDAC website.