NOC 2021 · 31110 · TEER 1
NOC 31110: Dentists
Official NOC 2021, Job Bank and IRCC data · checked 21 October 2026
Dentists diagnose, treat, prevent and control disorders of the teeth and mouth. They work in private practice or may be employed in hospitals, clinics, public health facilities or universities.
TEER
TEER 1
Usually needs a university degree
Median wage (Canada)
$110,000 / year
Job Bank, 2021
High-wage tier (from 3 Nov 2026)
Tier 2
+40 CRS for Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer
Express Entry categories
Healthcare and social services
Category-based draws (2026)
Express Entry
How NOC 31110 counts for Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of continuous skilled (TEER 0–3) work in the last 10 years and 67 points on the FSW grid.
- Canadian Experience Class: eligible occupationNeeds 1 year of skilled (TEER 0–3) work in Canada in the last 3 years.
- Federal Skilled Trades: not eligibleNeeds 2 years of work in an eligible trade group in the last 5 years, plus a job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.
High-wage CRS points
NOC 31110 is in tier 2 of IRCC's high-wage list, in effect from 3 November 2026.
| 12+ months of Canadian work | +40 points on top of work-length points |
|---|---|
| Qualifying job offer (no LMIA) | 70 points |
You get whichever option scores higher, not both.
See all 186 high-wage occupationsCategory-based draws
- Healthcare and social services
At least 12 months of full-time work experience (or equal part-time) in the past 3 years in one listed occupation, plus Express Entry eligibility and the round instructions.
IRCC category listsDuties
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Dentists
- Examine patients' teeth, gums and surrounding tissue to diagnose disease, injury and decay and plan appropriate preventative or corrective treatment
- Provide general dental care such as cleaning teeth, filling cavities, performing root canals, applying veneers, and fitting crowns, bridges and dentures
- Restore, extract and replace diseased and decayed teeth
- Instruct patients on oral hygiene and preventive dental care
- Monitor patient progress to identify changes or the progression of dental disease
- Prescribe antibiotics or other medication as required
- Bleach, clean, or polish teeth to restore natural color
- Supervise dental hygienists, dental assistants and other staff
- Refer patients to dental specialists as needed for recommended procedures
- May provide basic orthodontic treatments with additional training.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
- Collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatment
- Administer general and local anesthetics
- Perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants or to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues
- Remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth, as well as tumors and other abnormal growths of the oral and facial regions
- Perform surgery on the mouth and jaws to treat conditions, such as cleft lip, palate, and jaw growth problems
- Provide emergency treatment of facial injuries including facial lacerations, intra-oral lacerations, and fractured facial bones
- Treat infections of the oral cavity, salivary glands, jaws, and neck.
- Orthodontists
- Examine patients' teeth, gums and surrounding tissue to assess abnormalities of jaw development, tooth position, and other dental-facial structures
- Diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities
- Propose treatment plan for conditions such as underbites, overbites, crowding and others
- Design and fabricate appliances, such as space maintainers, retainers, and labial and lingual arch wires
- Fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to alter the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth
- Coordinate orthodontic services with other dental and medical professionals
- Educate patients about improving and maintaining orthodontic care, and promoting routine dental health care.
- Prosthodontists
- Examine patient's teeth, gums and jaws to diagnose disease, injury and decay, and plan appropriate treatment to enhance patients' dental and facial aesthetics, or correct orofacial problems
- Replace missing teeth and associated oral structures with permanent fixtures, such as implant-supported prostheses, crowns and bridges, or removable fixtures, such as dentures
- Restore function and improve aesthetics for traumatic injury victims, or individuals with diseases or birth defects
- Design and fabricate dental prostheses, or supervise dental technicians who construct the devices
- Fit prostheses to patients, making any necessary adjustments and modifications
- Restore damaged teeth with materials such as fillings, veneers and crowns
- Collaborate with general dentists, dental specialists, and other health professionals to develop solutions to dental and oral health concerns.
For Express Entry, your experience must match the lead statement and most of these duties, not only the job title.
Job titles
Example job titles
- dentist
- endodontist
- oral and maxillofacial surgeon
- oral pathologist
- oral radiologist
- orthodontist
- pediatric dentist
- periodontist
- prosthodontist
- public health dentist
All 20 job titles in NOC 31110
- dental surgeon
- dentist
- doctor of dental surgery
- endodontist
- general practice dentist
- implantologist - dentistry
- oral and dental surgeon
- oral and maxillofacial surgeon
- oral medicine specialist
- oral pathologist
- oral pathology and maxillofacial surgery specialist
- oral radiologist
- oral surgeon
- orthodontist
- pediatric dentist
- pedodontist
- periodontist
- prosthodontist
- public health dentist
- stomatologist
Requirements
Employment requirements
- Dentists
- Two to four years of pre-dentistry university studies or, in Quebec, completion of a college program in sciences and a university degree from a recognized dental program are required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial regulatory body is required.
- Dentists in general practice can move into a specialized practice through advanced training.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
- Four to seven years of specialty residency training in oral and maxillofacial surgery are required.
- Orthodontists
- Three years advanced orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics program accredited by the Canadian Dental Association is required.
- Prosthodontists
- Three years advanced prosthodontics program accredited by the Canadian Dental Association is required.
Additional information
- Certification by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada entitles dentists or graduates of approved dental programs to practice dentistry in any province in Canada provided requirements set out by the provincial and territorial licensing authorities are met.
- Dentists with further education, training and licensing, can specialize and practice in such areas as oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, oral pathology, oral radiology or public health dentistry.
This occupation may be regulated in some provinces. You may need a licence or certificate from the provincial regulator before you can work in it in Canada, even if you hold permanent residence.
Wages
Wages for NOC 31110 in Canada
Low, median and high wages per year in Canadian dollars, from ESDC Job Bank's 2025 wage data. This occupation is reported at an annual rate.
| Region | Low | Median | High | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $32,867 | $110,000 | $228,000 | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | — | $180,000 | — | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| Nova Scotia | — | $126,000 | — | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| New Brunswick | — | $132,000 | — | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| Quebec | $33,109 | $106,000 | $228,000 | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| Ontario | $37,561 | $104,000 | $210,000 | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| Manitoba | — | $116,000 | — | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| Saskatchewan | — | $110,000 | — | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| Alberta | $32,867 | $120,000 | $270,000 | 2021 Census, 2021 |
| British Columbia | $37,929 | $84,000 | $214,000 | 2021 Census, 2021 |
Provinces with too little data are not shown. Wages vary by city and employer; see Job Bank for regional figures.
Job outlook
Job outlook by province, 2025–2027
Job Bank rates the 3-year outlook as good or very good in New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Ontario.
Very goodNew Brunswick
The employment outlook will be Very good for dentists (NOC 31110) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
More dentists are employed in the province’s largest urban areas, due to higher population numbers. However, opportunities in rural areas are common, as these positions are often more difficult to fill.
Dentists may choose to specialize in one of a number of areas like periodontics or pediatric dentistry and this may improve one’s chances of finding employment. Applicants who wish to obtain a license as a specialist must provide proof of having successfully completed the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE).
In order to practice, dentists must possess a university degree from a recognised dental program and must be licensed by the New Brunswick Dental Society. Proof of malpractice insurance to the minimum amount of three million dollars is required, as well as a valid copy of a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Check.
Familiarity with a dental practice management software would be valuable, though these skills are often learned on the job.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has come into effect and this has increased the demand for dentists.
Here are some key facts about dentists in New Brunswick:
Approximately 300 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Dentists mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 92% compared to 84% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 8% compared to 16% for all occupations
33% of dentists work all year, while 67% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
85% of dentists are self-employed compared to an average of 10% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 62% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 38% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 7% for all occupations
Very goodQuebec
The employment outlook will be Very good for dentists (NOC 31110) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about dentists in Quebec:
Approximately 5,000 people work in this occupation.
Dentists mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 87% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 13% compared to 18% for all occupations
28% of dentists work all year, while 71% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
83% of dentists are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 49% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 51% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 11% for all occupations
Very goodManitoba
The employment outlook will be Very good for dentists (NOC 31110) in Manitoba for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
The demand for this occupation is driven by population growth and an increasing awareness of oral health, along with the new federal dental care plan to improve access.
Shortages are most acute in rural and remote locations. The University of Manitoba's dental college offers a mandatory rural rotation for students to gain hands-on experience in a rural setting.
Key trends include the consolidation of dental practices and the rise of Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) which provide non-clinical business support such as billing, marketing, and human resources.
Here are some key facts about dentists in Manitoba:
Approximately 750 people work in this occupation.
Dentists mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 86% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 14% compared to 19% for all occupations
28% of dentists work all year, while 71% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
79% of dentists are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 65% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 35% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 8% for all occupations
Very goodSaskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Very good for dentists (NOC 31110) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about dentists in Saskatchewan:
Approximately 900 people work in this occupation.
Dentists mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 89% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 11% compared to 19% for all occupations
26% of dentists work all year, while 74% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
87% of dentists are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 60% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 40% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 7% for all occupations
Very goodAlberta
The employment outlook will be Very good for dentists (NOC 31110) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Alberta’s population and its proportion of residents aged 65+ are predicted to increase over the next decade, contributing to demand for this occupation.
In 2025, Alberta increased total health spending to $28 billion, marking a 5.4% rise from the previous year.
Ongoing healthcare needs and retirements continue to support steady demand across the sector.
Here are some key facts about dentists in Alberta:
Approximately 2,950 people work in this occupation.
Dentists mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 87% compared to 80% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 13% compared to 20% for all occupations
35% of dentists work all year, while 65% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
81% of dentists are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 63% compared to 53% for all occupations
Women: 37% compared to 47% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 9% for all occupations
Very goodBritish Columbia
The employment outlook will be Very good for dentists (NOC 31110) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
As the province has experienced robust population growth in the past couple of years, the Government of British Columbia has invested into expanding health care services around the province. Implementation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) will likely increase demand for this occupation.
As of October 2025, about 2.8 million Canadians have received dental services through the CDCP.
In British Columbia there are about 723,181 approved applicants for the program for benefit year 2025 to 2026 whereas about 232, 807 people have received care in that same period.
Here are some key facts about dentists in British Columbia:
Approximately 3,850 people work in this occupation.
Dentists mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 80% compared to 78% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 20% compared to 22% for all occupations
24% of dentists work all year, while 76% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
84% of dentists are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 62% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 38% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 12% for all occupations
GoodPrince Edward Island
The employment outlook will be Good for dentists (NOC 31110) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
Here are some key facts about dentists in Prince Edward Island:
Approximately 50 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Dentists mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
30% of dentists work all year, while 70% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
64% of dentists are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 57% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 42% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 92% compared to 8% for all occupations
GoodNova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Good for dentists (NOC 31110) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
Here are some key facts about dentists in Nova Scotia:
Approximately 550 people worked in this occupation in May 2021.
Dentists mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 94%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 88% compared to 82% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 12% compared to 18% for all occupations
36% of dentists work all year, while 64% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
73% of dentists are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 52% compared to 51% for all occupations
Women: 48% compared to 49% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 10% for all occupations
GoodOntario
The employment outlook will be Good for dentists (NOC 31110) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.
The following factors contributed to this outlook:
Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
Several positions will become available due to retirements.
There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
What Types of Employers Are Out There?
The majority of dentists are self-employed in dental offices
What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?
Increased popularity of cosmetic, aesthetic and orthodontic procedures may support employment opportunities in this occupation
The aging population is expected to increase the demand for geriatric dentistry including restorative and more complex dental work
Access to private insurance and workplace insurance plans, which cover the majority of spending on dental services, may support more routine dental visits
Public-sector investments in affordable dental care should support job prospects
What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?
The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario regulates the dentistry profession
What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?
There are a limited number of training programs for dentists in Ontario
In general, Bridging Programs are available to assist internationally trained professionals in various fields enter the labour market more quickly in Ontario.
Here are some key facts about dentists in Ontario:
Approximately 10,150 people work in this occupation.
Dentists mainly work in the following sectors:
Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95%
The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
Full-time workers: 80% compared to 81% for all occupations
Part-time workers: 20% compared to 19% for all occupations
30% of dentists work all year, while 70% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
83% of dentists are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
Men: 56% compared to 52% for all occupations
Women: 43% compared to 48% for all occupations
The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
no high school diploma: n/a
high school diploma or equivalent: n/a
apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a
college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a
bachelor's degree: n/a
university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 13% for all occupations
UndeterminedNewfoundland and Labrador
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNorthwest Territories
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
UndeterminedNunavut
An employment outlook has not been assigned to this occupation in this region due to low levels of employment.
Source: ESDC Job Bank, 3-year employment outlooks 2025–2027 (released December 2025).
Provinces
Provincial Nominee Programs
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. Most provinces run occupation-targeted draws or in-demand lists, and some accept TEER 4 and 5 occupations that Express Entry does not.
Provincial lists change often, sometimes between draws. We check whether NOC 31110 is being targeted by any province as part of a consultation.
Similar occupations
Related NOC codes
Classified elsewhere
If your duties fit one of these better, use that code instead.
- 33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
- 32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
- 32112 Dental technologists and technicians
- 32110 Denturists
Same occupation group
Dentists, optometrists and audiologists
Questions
NOC 31110: common questions
What is the NOC code for dentists?
What TEER category is NOC 31110?
Is NOC 31110 eligible for Express Entry?
Is NOC 31110 a high-wage occupation for Express Entry?
Is NOC 31110 eligible for category-based Express Entry draws?
What is the median wage for NOC 31110 in Canada?
Classification
Where it sits in NOC 2021
- 3Health occupationsBroad Category
- 31Professional occupations in healthMajor Group
- 311Health treating and consultation services professionalsSub-major Group
- 3111Dentists, optometrists and audiologistsMinor Group
- 31110Dentists
Enquiry
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Tell us your duties, experience and language scores. We will confirm your NOC code and the Canadian routes that fit.
Sources: Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0, Job Bank wages (2025), Job Bank outlooks 2025–2027 and IRCC. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Checked 21 October 2026.
NOC 2026 is due from Statistics Canada in December 2026. IRCC still uses NOC 2021 codes, and this page will show any change once IRCC switches.
This page is general information, not immigration advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Canada, IRCC or ESDC.
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