IMG College & IMG Ultrasound Training Hub

Get Started

From Internationally Trained Dentist to Dental Assistant in Ontario: A Practical Guide

For an internationally trained dentist, transitioning to a career as a dental assistant in Toronto is one of the most direct and accessible pathways into the Canadian dental field. Unlike the lengthy process of re-licensing as a dentist or retraining as a dental hygienist, you can leverage your existing dental degree to become a qualified Level II Dental Assistant in a relatively short time, without needing to complete a full diploma program.

This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process for achieving this.

Understanding the Levels of Dental Assisting in Ontario

First, it’s crucial to understand the distinction between the two levels of dental assisting in Ontario:

  • Level I Dental Assistant: This is a basic chairside assistant. Duties include sterilization, instrument passing, and patient preparation. In Ontario, this role is not formally regulated, meaning you can technically work as a Level I assistant without specific certification, leveraging your dental background. However, your duties will be limited.
  • Level II Dental Assistant: This is a certified professional who can perform intra-oral procedures (work inside the patient’s mouth). These duties include taking impressions, applying topical anesthetic, applying sealants, and performing coronal polishing. To perform these duties in Ontario, you must hold a certificate from the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB).

As a foreign-trained dentist, you are in an excellent position to aim directly for the more in-demand and higher-paid Level II certification.

Pathway to Becoming a Certified Level II Dental Assistant

The key to this pathway is the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB). The NDAEB assesses the education of all dental assistants in Canada and has a specific process for internationally educated dental professionals.

Step 1: Get Your Credentials Assessed

Your first formal step is to have your Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree assessed for Canadian equivalency.

  • Action: Submit your degree and transcripts to an approved credential assessment agency. The most commonly used is World Education Services (WES) Canada. You will need a “Course-by-Course” evaluation report.
  • Timeline: This process can take a few months, so it is best to start early.
  • Note: If you have already started the process to become a licensed dentist in Canada and have an “approved” status with the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB), you can use this documentation in place of a WES assessment when you apply to the NDAEB.

Step 2: Apply to the NDAEB

Once you have your credential assessment report, you can apply to the NDAEB for an eligibility assessment.

  • Action: You will need to submit the following to the NDAEB:
    • The completed NDAEB application form for graduates of non-accredited programs.
    • Your WES or other approved credential assessment report.
    • Certified/notarized copies of your dental degree diploma and transcripts.
    • The required application fees (currently around $250 CAD, but check the NDAEB website for current fees).
  • The NDAEB will review your education to confirm it is equivalent to the theoretical knowledge of a Canadian-trained dental assistant. Given your dental degree, you will meet this requirement.

Step 3: Pass the NDAEB Written Examination

After the NDAEB approves your application, you will be eligible to take the NDAEB Written Exam.

  • Action: Register for the exam, which is offered several times a year across Canada. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering all aspects of dental assisting theory.
  • Preparation: While your dental knowledge is a huge asset, it is crucial to study specifically for this exam. The focus is on dental assisting from a Canadian perspective. You can find exam blueprints and study materials on the NDAEB website. Many private companies also offer preparation courses.
  • Cost: The exam fee is approximately $500 CAD.

Step 4: Pass the NDAEB Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE)

Because you did not graduate from an accredited Canadian dental assisting program, you must also prove your hands-on skills.

  • Action: After passing the written exam, you must register for and pass the Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE). This is a practical, half-day exam where you will perform nine specific intra-oral skills on a mannequin.
  • Preparation: This is a critical step. Even as a dentist, you may not have performed these specific procedures in the exact manner required by Canadian standards. It is highly recommended to take a CPE preparation course at a private career college in Toronto to practice these skills.
  • Cost: The CPE fee is approximately $1,600 CAD. Prep courses are an additional cost.

Step 5: Obtain your NDAEB Certificate and ODAA Certification

Upon successful completion of both the written exam and the CPE, you will be issued the NDAEB Certificate. This is the key document you need.

  • Action: With your NDAEB certificate, you can apply to the Ontario Dental Assistants Association (ODAA) to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA II). This allows you to use the professional designation and demonstrates to employers that you meet the provincial standards.

Step 6: Get HARP Certified

To legally operate dental X-ray equipment in Ontario, you must have a separate certification under the Healing Arts Radiation Protection (HARP) Act.

  • Action: You must complete a HARP-approved dental radiography course offered by an Ontario college or an approved provider. This is a separate course and fee from the NDAEB process.

Summary of a Realistic Timeline and Costs

  • Credential Assessment: 2-4 months ($250+ CAD)
  • NDAEB Application & Exams: 6-12 months
    • NDAEB Assessment Fee: ~$250 CAD
    • NDAEB Written Exam Fee: ~$500 CAD
    • NDAEB CPE Fee: ~$1,600 CAD
  • Preparation Courses (Recommended): ~$1,500 – $3,000+ CAD
  • HARP Certification Course: ~$400 – $600 CAD
  • ODAA Certification: ~$200 CAD

Total Estimated Timeline: 9 to 18 months

Total Estimated Cost: $4,000 to $6,000+ CAD

This pathway offers a clear, structured, and significantly faster and more affordable route than re-licensing as a dentist or hygienist, allowing you to enter the Canadian dental workforce and gain valuable experience while you plan your long-term career goals.

Help us help you, contact us today (REGISTER HERE)