32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists
This occupation is on IRCC's Express Entry high-wage list (median wage at least 1.5 times the average median wage). From November 3, 2026, 12 months of qualifying Canadian work experience in it can add 40 CRS points, or a qualifying job offer in it can earn 70 points. Only the higher of the two counts, not both.
Lead statement
ental hygienists provide dental hygiene treatment and services related to oral health promotion and disease and mouth injury prevention.
Main duties
- 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
- May participate in community- or school-based oral health initiatives such as oral screening.
- Perform routine dental check-ups, oral cancer examinations and emergency dental examinations
- Perform preventative dental procedures such as teeth cleaning, gum stimulation and fluoride and sealant applications
- Perform routine teeth restorations and uncomplicated extractions and provide post extraction oral care instructions
- Refer patients to other dental professionals for care beyond the scope of the dental therapist
- Provide oral health promotion activities
- 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.
- Licensing by the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body is required for dental hygienists.
- Dental therapists are required to complete a two- to three- year college diploma from an approved dental institution program.
- Licensure is required for dental therapists in Saskatchewan, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Example job titles
dental hygienist · expanded duty dental hygienist · orthodontic hygienist · periodontal hygienist · registered dental hygienist · community dental hygienist · restorative dental hygienist · dental therapist · registered dental therapist · licensed dental therapist
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $32.00 | $45.00 | $60.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $25.00 | $50.00 | $74.27 |
| Nova Scotia | $35.00 | $38.10 | $44.00 |
| New Brunswick | $35.58 | $42.00 | $46.00 |
| Quebec | $30.00 | $39.00 | $46.19 |
| Ontario | $33.00 | $44.00 | $53.67 |
| Manitoba | $43.00 | $47.00 | $53.97 |
| Saskatchewan | $26.44 | $51.00 | $60.00 |
| Alberta | $50.00 | $60.00 | $75.00 |
| British Columbia | $43.59 | $55.00 | $65.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.