Dental staffing and recruitment across Canada
Dental professionals for practices that cannot afford an empty chair. We place dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants into relief, associate and permanent roles. We verify registration before we present anyone.
- Free for candidates. Always.
- Licences verified with the regulator
- Every province and territory except Quebec
Dental practices we place into
General dental practices
Solo and group clinics, family and community dentistry.
Specialty practices
Orthodontic, periodontal, pediatric, oral surgery and endodontic offices.
Dental groups and DSOs
Multi-location organizations that need consistent coverage across sites.
Public and institutional dental
Community health programs, hospital dental clinics and university teaching clinics.
Dental roles we place
Dentists
Associate, locum and practice-transition roles.
Dentist recruitmentRegistered dental hygienists
Relief and permanent roles.
Dental hygienist jobsDental assistants
Including expanded-function assistants, front desk and treatment coordinators.
Dental therapists and denturists
Where the setting needs them, discussed case by case.
Practice managers
Leadership for single and multi-site practices.
Administrator recruitmentHow dental staffing works
- Share the detailsSchedule, patient mix, equipment and software, province and start date.
- We verify registrationWe check with the provincial regulator before we present a candidate.
- You review a short listCandidates see the practice details first.
- Start and follow-upA relief day, a locum block or a permanent hire, with a check-in afterward.
Dental registration and oversight by province
Dental professionals are regulated provincially. Dentists qualify through national certification and then register with the provincial regulator. Dental hygienists and assistants register with the regulator in the province where they work. We explain what is needed.
| Province or territory | Regulators |
|---|---|
| British Columbia | BC College of Oral Health Professionals (one college for dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, dental technicians, denturists and dental therapists) |
| Alberta | College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta (dentists); Alberta College of Dental Hygienists |
| Saskatchewan | College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan (dentists); College of Dental Hygienists of Saskatchewan |
| Manitoba | Manitoba Dental Association (dentists and dental assistants); College of Dental Hygienists of Manitoba |
| Ontario | Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (dentists); College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario. Dental assisting is not a regulated profession in Ontario, and certification is voluntary. |
| New Brunswick | New Brunswick Dental Society (dentists); New Brunswick College of Dental Hygienists |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Regulator of Dentistry and Dental Assisting; Nova Scotia Regulator of Dental Hygiene, Dental Technology, and Denturism |
| Prince Edward Island | Dental Council of Prince Edward Island (dentists); College of Dental Hygienists of Prince Edward Island |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Board (dentists); Newfoundland and Labrador College of Dental Hygienists |
| Territories | Yukon is handled by the Registrar's Office under the Dental Profession Act, the Northwest Territories by the Department of Health and Social Services, and Nunavut by the Nunavut Registrar's Office or Department of Health. |
Good to know: Infection prevention and control standards are set by regulators and apply to every clinic. We do not currently place in Quebec.
Dental staffing challenges we hear about
Hygiene chairs sitting empty
A vacant hygienist slot affects recare schedules and revenue, so practices want reliable relief.
Assistant turnover
Trained dental assistants are in demand, and a practice may lose one to a competitor.
Associate and succession gaps
Owners approaching retirement need an associate with a path to ownership or a clean transition.
Rural and northern practices
Smaller communities may offer fewer applicants, so travel-based locum coverage can help.
Coverage models for dental practices
Relief days
Single-day coverage for vacations, sick days and CE days.
Locum blocks
Weeks of coverage for dentists or hygienists during leave.
Part-time and set days
For practices that need a hygienist two or three days a week.
Permanent and associate
Longer-term placement for dentists, hygienists and assistants.
Direct hire placementFor short-term needs, see relief and contract staffing.
Why dental demand is changing
The federal Canadian Dental Care Plan helps eligible residents pay for oral health care, and dental providers can choose to participate. Where more people can afford a visit, practices may see more patients and want more clinical hours. Eligibility rules apply and are set by the Government of Canada. Read the details on the official Canadian Dental Care Plan page.
For practice owners
- One contact for relief and permanent needs
- Verified registration
- Terms in writing
- A screening conversation about clinical fit and practice culture
For dentists, hygienists and assistants
- See the schedule, patient mix and compensation model before you agree (production percentage, hourly or salary where the employer shares it)
- Choose relief or permanent work
- Free for candidates. Always.
Your information is handled under PIPEDA and is not shared without consent.
How we are different
We verify registration
We check registration with the regulator and say so. This is a check at a point in time, not a guarantee of outcomes.
We are upfront about fees and terms
Candidates pay nothing. We are paid by the practice.
Related pages
Dentists
Associate and locum roles.
Dentist recruitmentDental hygienists
Relief and permanent roles.
Dental hygienist jobsAmbulatory clinic
Outpatient and clinic settings.
Ambulatory clinic staffingContract and relief staffing
Cover for shifts and leaves.
Relief and contract staffingDirect hire
Permanent placement.
Direct hire placementSee also how we handle compliance or contact us.
Dental staffing questions
Can you supply a relief hygienist for a single day?
Yes, where we have a registered hygienist available in your area. We cannot promise a specific turnaround, so earlier notice helps. Tell us the date, the hours, the software you use and the patient mix, and we will look for a good fit.
Do dentists need to register again when they move provinces?
Yes. Registration is provincial, so a dentist registers with the regulator in the new province. Dentists also need national certification from the National Dental Examining Board of Canada, which does not by itself allow practice. We guide candidates through what is needed.
Do you place dental assistants?
Yes. Whether registration or certification is required depends on the province. In several provinces the national certificate from the National Dental Assisting Examining Board is part of registration, and in Ontario dental assisting is not regulated. We confirm what applies before we present anyone.
Can you help with an associate who might buy in later?
We can search for associates open to a long-term path. Ownership terms are between the owner and the associate, and we do not set or negotiate them. Tell us what you are hoping for, and we will describe the opportunity honestly to candidates.
Does it cost dental professionals anything to use your service?
No. Our service is free for candidates. Always. Practices pay fees, which are agreed in writing before work begins. You will not be asked to pay to submit a profile, to be considered for a role or to be placed.
Need dental coverage, or ready for your next dental role?
I am a dental professional
Share your profile and we will be in touch. Free for candidates. Always.
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