Dental hygienists and dental therapists
Occupation · NOC 2021 32111 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 32111
- TEER
- 2
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 39
- Median wage, Canada
- C$45.00 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 5,178
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About this occupation
Dental hygienists provide dental hygiene treatment and services related to oral health promotion and disease and mouth injury prevention. They are employed in a variety of settings including dentists' offices, hospitals, private clinics, educational institutions, public health agencies or they may be self-employed. Dental therapists provide limited restorative dental treatment in addition to dental hygiene services. They are employed by the federal government and the provincial governments to provide services in rural and remote communities.
Example job titles
- dental hygienist
- dental nurse
- dental therapist
- registered dental hygienist
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Dental hygienists
- Conduct patient screening and oral health assessments, including taking vital signs and documenting patient medical and health history
- Take dental impressions
- Take and develop X-rays
- Perform preventative dental procedures such as teeth cleaning, scaling, gum stimulation and fluoride and sealant applications
- Provide oral care instructions such as oral hygiene procedures, strategies to maintain and improve oral health and on the impact of nutrition on oral health
- Consult with dentists on patient care
- May perform restorative and orthodontic procedures under the direction of a dentist
- May supervise dental assistants in their health care functions.
Employment requirements
- Completion of a two- to three- year college dental hygiene program, approved by the governing board within the province or territory of residence, is usually required for dental hygienists.
- Dental therapists are required to complete a two- to three- year college diploma from an approved dental institution program.
- Licensing by the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body is required for dental hygienists.
- Licensure is required for dental therapists in Saskatchewan, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 1 |
- Benvenuti D'Amours, dentistes Inc.2
- Dr. James Cadigan Inc.2
- Clinique Dentaire et d'implantologie de Magog inc2
- DR. LOVEDEEP K. RANDHAWA INC2
- DR.NADEEM AHMAD INC2
- Dr. Akash Sidhu Inc.1
- Omar Nsair Professional Corporation1
- The Veneer House Ltd.1
- Dr. Moisseev Inc.1
- Doctor Movshovich Dentistry Professional Corporation1
- Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Health Services Incorporated1
- DRS. G. & R. RIAR INC.1
- Dr. Donald W. Mok Inc.1
- Dr Ali Safaei Inc.1
- Dr. R. Dutt Dental Corp./Merritt Dentistry1
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2019 | 5 |
- Canadian Experience Class100
- Federal Skilled Worker20
- Provincial Nominee Program15
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$32.00 | C$45.00 | C$60.00 |
| Alberta | C$50.00 | C$60.00 | C$75.00 |
| British Columbia | C$43.59 | C$55.00 | C$65.00 |
| Manitoba | C$43.00 | C$47.00 | C$53.97 |
| New Brunswick | C$35.58 | C$42.00 | C$46.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$25.00 | C$50.00 | C$74.27 |
| Nova Scotia | C$35.00 | C$38.10 | C$44.00 |
| Ontario | C$33.00 | C$44.00 | C$53.67 |
| Quebec | C$30.00 | C$39.00 | C$46.19 |
| Saskatchewan | C$26.44 | C$51.00 | C$60.00 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 5,178
- Vacancies advertised
- 5,302
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$48.00
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