Studying dentistry in Canada as an international student is a real and rewarding option, and this guide walks through how it works: which schools exist, who can apply, what the exams look like, what it costs, and how a Canadian degree connects to a career afterward.
Information last updated November 2026. Admission rules, fees and licensing requirements change from year to year, so the university’s or licensing board’s official page is always the final word.
Canada at a glance
- Canada has ten accredited dental programs, from Dalhousie in Halifax to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
- Most programs are four years, awarded as a DDS or DMD after earlier undergraduate study. Université de Montréal’s DMD runs five years.
- English is the language of instruction at most schools. Quebec programs add French to the picture.
- Seats for international students are limited, which makes early, careful preparation a smart investment.
Who this path suits
It suits students who enjoy science, like the idea of a long clinical apprenticeship, and want a degree that leads naturally to the Canadian licensing system. It also suits families who value a structured, well-documented route: the national exam body, the accreditation body and the universities all publish their requirements openly.
Most Canadian dental programs expect you to arrive with university science coursework already behind you, much as in the United States. If you’re still choosing between countries, our guide to getting into dental school in the US covers the DAT and interview season that Canada shares in many ways.
Studying dentistry in Canada: which schools welcome international applicants
Policies differ by school and by year, so confirm each faculty’s current page. Two examples show the range.
The University of British Columbia states that it considers applications from international applicants, who are assessed with the same criteria as the domestic pool. Its recent classes have had roughly 64 seats. UBC also notes that it does not offer transfer or advanced standing admission.
Dalhousie University reserves a defined group of seats for international students. Its recent class profile lists 44 places in total, 26 for Canadian applicants and 18 for international applicants, from about 500 applications. International-seat students pay international tuition in every year of the program.
Other faculties, including Toronto, Western, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, publish their own policies. A short email to the admissions office early in your planning year is a very good habit.
Admission requirements and the DAT
The Dental Admission Test is central. UBC accepts Canadian or American DAT scores, with a writing deadline of August 31 for the class applying that cycle. Toronto asks for the Canadian DAT. Dalhousie requires a Canadian or US DAT and sets a minimum score of 17 on each of the perceptual ability, survey of natural sciences and reading comprehension sections, while noting that many successful applicants reach 20 or higher.
Typical academic requirements at Dalhousie include at least ten full-year university classes completed by May 1 of the entry year, prerequisites in biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry and physiology, and a strong grade average. Students who studied outside Canada or the US are asked for a course-by-course credential evaluation from WES. If English is not your first language, expect to submit an accepted English proficiency score.
Application windows open in the autumn. UBC’s deadline for its most recent cycle was October 10, with interviews in February. Dalhousie’s deadline is October 1. Planning the DAT a year ahead leaves room for a calm retake if you want one.
What the program feels like
Year one tends to center on biomedical sciences, anatomy and early work in simulation labs, where you practice on models before meeting patients. Later years move steadily into the student clinic, supervised by faculty. If you’d like a closer picture of that arc, see our year-by-year look at studying dentistry. Class sizes are modest, which usually means faculty get to know each student well.
What it costs
Tuition and fees vary widely by school, year and residency status. As a published example, Dalhousie’s 2026 to 2027 fee schedule lists the following (CAD, with a USD approximation at 1 CAD = 0.71 USD, the rate in late October 2026).
| Item | CAD | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian DDS tuition, per year | 31,352 | 22,260 |
| International DDS tuition, per year | 62,752 | 44,550 |
| International total fees, year 1 | 92,967 | 66,000 |
| International total fees, year 4 | 78,868 | 56,000 |
The University of Toronto’s dentistry page gives a domestic figure of about CAD 51,200 per year and lists a considerably higher international figure that includes instruments, so it’s worth reading that page directly. UBC’s international fees sit on a dedicated fee page. Think of these numbers as planning ranges, and add living costs, which depend on the city you choose.
Visa basics
International students generally need a study permit, which starts with a letter of acceptance from a designated institution. For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, the proof-of-funds amount for a single applicant outside Quebec is CAD 23,448 for living costs, shown separately from first-year tuition and travel. Quebec sets its own rules. Because health-care programs can carry additional requirements, the official immigration site is the place to confirm the current list.
Scholarships and funding
Many universities offer entrance awards, and some are open to international students. Search each faculty’s awards page, and also the main university scholarship office, since dental-specific funds are often listed separately. Start in the autumn before you apply.
Licensing and career afterward
Graduates of accredited Canadian programs sit the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) Written Examination and the Virtual OSCE, then apply to a provincial regulatory authority for a licence. Each province adds its own steps, such as a jurisprudence test or language evidence.
For dentists who already hold a degree from a non-accredited program, there are two routes. The NDEB Equivalency Process involves the Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge, the Assessment of Clinical Judgement and a clinical competency exam. Alternatively, degree completion programs exist at Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Western, Toronto, McGill and Dalhousie. McGill’s advanced standing pathway, for example, begins in the second year of the DMD and leads to the degree in three years, with ADAT and CASPer results, and French at B2 level. Eligibility for these routes often depends on residency status, so check each page. Alberta’s bridge training program is another structured option for internationally trained dentists who are citizens or permanent residents.
Recognition of a Canadian degree in other countries depends on each country’s own regulator, so if you plan to practice elsewhere later, check that country’s requirements early.
Practical tips
- Write the DAT early, at least a year before you hope to start.
- Keep transcripts, course outlines and credential evaluations organized in one folder.
- Compare cities as well as schools: Halifax, Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal each offer a very different student life.
- Budget for living costs and for any equipment or program fees listed in the fee schedule.
- Ask admissions offices about international seat numbers each cycle.
Canada rewards patient planners. A well-prepared application, a clear story about why you want to care for patients, and a good map of the licensing steps can turn a big goal into a manageable list of next steps.
This article offers general information only. It is not medical, legal or immigration advice.
