Let’s take a comprehensive look at all ten dental schools in Canada and what makes each one unique. There are two dental schools in Ontario and eight dental schools outside of Ontario. Of the eight dental schools outside of Ontario, two are Francophone and give instructions only in French.
If you’re thinking of applying to any of these programs we encourage you to visit our pages about dental school requirements, tuition costs, and rankings.
Dental Schools in Canada (Quick Facts):
| University | Entering Class Size | Program Length (Years) | Year Opened | Are Combined Degrees Offered? |
| University of Toronto | 96 | 4 | 1875 | PhD, MSc |
| University of Western Ontario | 56 | 4 | 1965 | PhD |
| University of Alberta | 32 | 4 | 1917 | PhD, MBA, MPH, MS, BA/BS, others |
| University of Manitoba | 29 | 4 | 1958 | BA/BS |
| University of British Columbia | 56-60 | 4 | 1964 | None |
| McGill University | 38 | 4 | 1821 | None |
| Dalhousie University | 40 | 4 | 1908 | MS |
| University of Saskatchewan | 34 | 4 | 1965 | BSc. Dentistry |
| Université de Montréal | 89 | 5 | 1904 | None |
| Université Laval | 50 | 4 | 1971 | MS |
All the dental schools in Canada are public. There are no private dental schools in Canada.
All Canadian dental schools are located in an urban setting. All offer on-campus housing except for the University of Manitoba. The dental programs start either in August or September, depending on the school.
All dental schools in Canada offer either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. These degrees are the same, there are no educational or legal differences.
Dental Schools in Ontario
University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry
The Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto (founded in 1875) is the only dental school in Canada to offer clinical training in all 10 dental specialty disciplines: dental anesthesia, dental public health, endodontics, oral pathology, oral radiology, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, periodontology, and prosthodontics. The program is designed to concurrently teach professional and scientific development throughout all four years of the program. It involves intensive clinical studies of each dental discipline and clinical experience in the later years of the program. Click here for the requirements for admission to the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry.
Admissions Information:
- School Website: https://www.dentistry.utoronto.ca/
- Email: admissions@dentistry.utoronto.ca
- Phone: 416-864-8113
Western University Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
At the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry Western (founded in 1965) students will be educated through scholarly inquiry, innovation, and research. This four-year dental program will teach students about the basic medical/dental sciences and include clinically focused hospital electives and rotations. This will help create dental students who are able to work in diverse communities with a comprehensive knowledge of the application of dental care to patients in a clinical setting. Click here for the requirements for admission to the Western University Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.
Admissions Information:
- Website: http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/dentistry/
- Email: admissions.dentistry@schulich.uwo.ca
- Phone: 519-661-3744
Dental Schools in Canada: Outside of Ontario
University of Alberta School of Dentistry
The University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (founded 1917) offers a four-year DDS program, a two-year advanced placement program for dentistry graduates of nonaccredited dental programs, and a two-year master of science in orthodontics. The dental school’s first and second year of the curriculum will be taught in combination with the UofA medical program. The program you will be taught in various blocks that cover infection, immunity and inflammation, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, pulmonary and renal system, gastroenterology and nutrition, musculoskeletal system, neuroscience, and oncology. Students will also be given the opportunity to work in the UofA dental clinic and hospitals throughout their education. Click here for the requirements for admission to the University of Alberta School of Dentistry.
Admissions Information:
- Website: https://www.ualberta.ca/school-of-dentistry
- Email: admissions@ualberta.ca
- Phone: 780-492-1319
University of Manitoba Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry
The College of Dentistry Doctor of Dental Medicine program at the University of Manitoba (founded in 1958) is a four-year degree that includes extensive clinical experiences. Over the course of the curriculum, the program shifts towards independent guided performance in simulated settings working with dental hygiene student partners. Students will learn knowledge of basic biomedical, behavioural, and clinical sciences as well as cognitive and behavioural skills and professional and ethical values. Click here for the requirements for admission to the University of Manitoba Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry
Admissions Information:
- Website: http://umanitoba.ca/dentistry/
- Email: jean.lyon@umanitoba.ca
- Phone: 204-977-5611
University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry
The University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry (founded 1964) embodies the core values of collaboration and partnership, mindfulness, and shared responsibilities. Students will learn the fundamentals and principles of basic biological sciences that underlie the practice of dentistry and also learn about the ethics, social, and professional responsibilities to the communities they practice in. Students will learn through clinical instructions and participate in integrated group practices managed by faculty members. Click here for the requirements for admission to the University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry.
Admissions Information:
- Website: dentistry.ubc.ca
- admissions@dentistry.ubc.ca
- Phone: 604-822-7566
McGill University Faculty of Dentistry
The McGill University Faculty of Dentistry (founded 1821) is committed to maintaining a leadership role in oral health education, scientific research, and the promotion of oral health and quality of life in patients with an emphasis on the needs of the under-served communities and individuals. The first 16 months of the program include learning the fundamentals of medicine and dentistry in conjunction with the faculty of medicine. This is followed by 7 months of pre-clinical training followed by 2 years of clinical training rotating through various hospital departments including oral and maxillofacial, surgery, and pediatric dentistry. Click here for the requirements for admission to the McGill University Faculty of Dentistry.
Admissions Information:
- Website: www.mcgill.ca/dentistry
- Phone: 514-398-7090
Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry
Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Dentistry (founded 1908) is dedicated to creating ethical, compassionate, caring, and knowledgeable dental practitioners. Clinical experiences begin in the first year of the program and integrate biological, behavioural, and dental sciences with the introduction to patient treatment right away. Clinical treatment will continue to receive greater emphasis in second year with total patient care philosophy being covered in third and fourth year. Click here for the requirements for admission to the Dalhousie University Faculty of Dentistry.
Admissions Information:
- Website: dal.ca/faculty/dentistry.html
- Phone: 902-494-2824
University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry
The University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry (founded 1965) is a dynamic college that provides students with a well-balanced education involving preclinical and scholarly endeavours. Students will learn the basic sciences in early years, followed by dental sciences at the end of second year, and procedures in clinical settings in later years. Click here for the requirements for admission to the University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry.
Admissions Information:
- Website: https://dentistry.usask.ca/
- Phone: 306-966-5117
Université de Montréal Faculté de Médecine Dentaire
The Faculté de médecine dentaire (founded 1904) is one of two French-speaking dental schools in Canada. Being the longest of all dental programs it boasts a one-year multidisciplinary residency program and joint postgraduate program in biomedical sciences with the Faculté de Médicine. Learning of the basic sciences will be focused on in the first year of the program with clinical training starting in the second. In addition to clinical training in the later years of the program including, implantology, periodontics/endodontics, and constructive dentistry, this program also offers student exchange programs in international cooperation humanitarian projects. Click here for the requirements for admission to the Université de Montréal Faculté de Médecine Dentaire.
Admissions Information:
- Website: www.medent.umontreal.ca
- Email: raphael.godue@umontreal.ca
- Phone: 514-343-611, ext. 49408
Université Laval Faculté de Médecine Dentaire
The Faculté de Médecine Dentaire at L’Université Laval ( founded 1971) is one of the two French-speaking dental schools in Canada and offers advanced dental education programs such as a master’s degree in dental sciences, oral and maxillofacial surgery, periodontics, endodontics, and geriatric dentistry. Similar to most dental schools Laval’s program is split into two portions where the first two years are devoted to the basic and preclinical sciences while the last two years are devoted almost entirely to clinical work. Click here for the requirements for admission to the Université Laval Faculté de Médecine Dentaire.
Admissions Information:
- Website: fmd.ulaval.ca
- Email: laurie.st-pierre@fmd.ulaval.ca
- Phone: 418-656-2131, ext. 407624
Closing Thoughts on Dental Schools in Canada:
All dental school programs in Canada offer unique and highly qualified learning opportunities in dentistry. Depending on your location and values all programs are good options that you should consider as they all give you the tools needed to practice throughout Canada. If you’re thinking of applying to any of these programs definitely consider checking out some of our other pages on dental school requirements, tuition costs, and rankings as well as tips and tricks to succeed on the dental aptitude test.