Dental hygiene is one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions in Canada. With an aging population, rising awareness of oral health, and a projected shortage of over 10,000 dental hygienists by 2031, the field offers strong job security, competitive salaries, and the flexibility to work in private clinics, hospitals, public health units, and academic institutions.
For students who want to pursue this career as a serious academic and clinical discipline, Canada offers structured degree pathways, from Bachelor's degrees that lead directly to licensure, to Master's programs for those who want to move into research, teaching, or leadership roles. This guide focuses on these degree-level pathways, ranks the top Canadian universities as per the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 (Dentistry), and outlines where graduates can specialize further after completing their degree.
Why Study Dental Hygiene in Canada?
- Strong employment outlook: Dental hygienists in Canada earn an average annual salary of around CAD 80,000+, with steady demand across provinces.
- Globally accredited programs: Programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) are recognized across Canada, the US, and Australia.
- Clear degree pathways: Unlike many countries where dental hygiene is only a diploma-level qualification, Canada offers full Bachelor's degrees and, at one institution, a dedicated Master's degree.
- Pathway to advanced practice: A degree opens doors to research, public health leadership, teaching positions, and further specialization.
Understanding the Degree Structure in Canada
Before diving into universities, it helps to understand how dental hygiene education is structured in Canada, since this differs from many other countries:
- Diploma in Dental Hygiene (2–3 years): The minimum credential required to practice as a licensed dental hygienist in most provinces. Offered at colleges and universities.
- Bachelor's Degree in Dental Hygiene: Either an "entry-to-practice" route (a full 4-year degree with no prior diploma required) or a "degree-completion" route (1–2 additional years for hygienists who already hold a diploma).
- Master's Degree in Dental Hygiene: A research-based postgraduate degree for hygienists who want to move into academia, research, or advanced clinical leadership. Currently, this exists as a dedicated program at only one Canadian university.
- Post-degree certificate/specialization courses: Short, focused programs meant only for those who already hold a Bachelor's or Master's in Dental Hygiene and want to add a specific clinical skill set (discussed later in this guide).
Top Universities for Dental Hygiene in Canada (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Dentistry)
According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Dentistry, the top-ranked Canadian universities in this subject area are McGill University, the University of Alberta, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Toronto. Of these, the University of Alberta and the University of British Columbia stand out specifically for their dedicated, CDAC-accredited degree programs in Dental Hygiene (McGill and Toronto's dental faculties focus on the DMD and specialist dentistry programs rather than an entry-level Dental Hygiene degree).
| University | QS Dentistry Rank 2026 (Canada) | Dental Hygiene Program | Approx. Annual Tuition (CAD) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alberta | 2 | Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization), 3-year, full-time entry-to-practice degree; also offers a post-diploma BSc completion route and Canada's only MSc in Dental Hygiene | ~CAD 34,000/year (domestic); international rates higher | 3 years (BSc); MSc duration varies by thesis research |
| University of British Columbia | 3 | Bachelor of Dental Science (Dental Hygiene), Entry-to-Practice option (4-year degree); also offers Degree Completion options for licensed hygienists | ~CAD 6,500–7,000/year (domestic); ~CAD 53,000/year (international) | 4 years (Entry-to-Practice) |
University of Alberta, Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization)
Offered through the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry, this is a three-year, full-time degree requiring at least one year of prior university-level coursework before admission. Students complete hands-on clinical training in the Oral Health Clinic at the Kaye Edmonton Clinic, along with external practicums in community settings, schools, long-term care facilities, and mandatory rural placements. Admission is competitive, with a recommended GPA of 3.0, and applicants must complete the Casper assessment as part of the selection process.
Notably, the University of Alberta also hosts the only dedicated Master of Science (MSc) in Dental Hygiene program in Canada, a research-based degree involving coursework, original research under faculty supervision, and a thesis. This makes it the primary destination in Canada for hygienists seeking a true postgraduate degree specifically in the discipline, rather than an adjacent field like public health.
University of British Columbia, Bachelor of Dental Science (Dental Hygiene)
UBC's Faculty of Dentistry offers one of only two entry-to-practice dental hygiene degree programs in Canada, via its Entry-to-Practice Admission Option. This is a full-time, four-year program open to secondary school graduates as well as students with prior post-secondary experience, culminating in a Bachelor's Degree in Dental Science (Dental Hygiene). Clinical training takes place in the Faculty's Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre. Admission involves a supplemental application, a non-refundable application fee, and a mandatory multiple mini interview (MMI) process. UBC also runs Degree Completion options (Category 1 and Category 2) for practicing dental hygienists who already hold a diploma and wish to earn their Bachelor's degree.
Other Canadian Universities Offering Dental Hygiene Degrees (Outside the QS Ranking)
Beyond the QS-ranked institutions, Canada has a small but well-established group of universities offering CDAC-accredited Bachelor's degrees in Dental Hygiene. According to the Ontario Dental Hygienists' Association, Canada currently has five recognized undergraduate dental hygiene degree programs nationwide, alongside the University of Alberta and UBC:
| University | Program | Notes | Approx. Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia) | Bachelor of Dental Hygiene (BDH) | A 1-year full-time (or 2-year part-time) degree-completion program for licensed dental hygienists, delivered through the Faculty of Dentistry's School of Dental Hygiene. Note: The BDH (Honours) stream has been suspended pending termination for the 2026–27 admissions cycle. | Varies by course load; contact the Faculty of Dentistry for current rates |
| University of Manitoba | Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene, Degree Completion Program (BScDH) | A degree-completion program requiring 19–45 credit hours depending on prior education, open to licensed dental hygienists with a minimum 3.0 GPA in their diploma program. Offered through the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry. | Program tuition assessed per term; a Continuing Fee of roughly CAD 600+ per term applies in later terms, plus an annual clinical fee |
| George Brown College (Toronto, Ontario) | Honours Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene | A degree program delivered at George Brown's Waterfront Campus, recognized as one of Canada's five core undergraduate dental hygiene programs. | Contact institution for current fee schedule |
These institutions primarily serve licensed dental hygienists (diploma holders) who want to formalize their credential into a full Bachelor's degree, a route sometimes called "degree completion." This path is popular because it allows working professionals to earn a degree in a shorter time frame by transferring credits from their diploma.
Master's-Level and Further Specialization After Your Degree
Once you hold a Bachelor's (or Master's) degree in Dental Hygiene, several structured paths exist to deepen your expertise. It's important to note that in Canada, "certificate" programs in this field are not entry-level qualifications, they exist specifically to help degree-holding dental hygienists specialize further:
- Master of Science in Dental Hygiene (University of Alberta): As noted above, this remains Canada's only degree program dedicated exclusively to graduate-level dental hygiene research.
- Master of Public Health / Diploma in Dental Public Health (University of British Columbia): Open to dental hygiene degree holders who want to shift toward community oral health policy and population health leadership.
- Master's in Dental Public Health (University of Toronto): Another postgraduate route for degree-holding dental hygienists interested in public health systems and policy work.
- Graduate Certificate in Restorative Dental Hygiene: Offered at select Canadian colleges, this is a focused, typically two-semester certificate for licensed hygienists who already hold a diploma or degree. It trains graduates to perform expanded clinical procedures such as placing and finishing amalgam, composite, and provisional restorations, expanding their clinical scope rather than serving as a first qualification.
- PhD in Oral Biology (University of Alberta): While there is no dedicated PhD in Dental Hygiene in Canada currently, hygienists with a research-oriented Master's can pursue doctoral study in oral biology and related fields.
This structure reflects a deliberate design in Canadian dental hygiene education: certificates and short courses are built as specialization add-ons for those who already hold a degree, not as substitutes for one.
Admission Requirements: What to Expect
While specific requirements vary by institution, most Canadian Bachelor's-level dental hygiene programs share a similar academic profile:
- Prerequisite coursework in English, Chemistry (inorganic and organic), Biology, Psychology, Sociology, and Statistics
- A minimum of one year of university-level study prior to admission (for entry-to-practice programs like Alberta's)
- A competitive GPA, typically in the 2.7–3.0+ range
- Standardized assessments such as the Casper test (used at institutions like the University of Alberta)
- Personal interviews or Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs), as used at UBC
- Proof of English language proficiency for international applicants (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo scores)
- A criminal record/vulnerable sector check and CPR certification prior to clinical placements
For degree-completion programs (Dalhousie, Manitoba, George Brown), the core requirement is current, valid licensure as a dental hygienist, along with a minimum GPA from your diploma program, usually around 3.0.
Career Outlook After a Dental Hygiene Degree
A degree in dental hygiene opens more than just clinical practice roles. Graduates commonly pursue:
- Clinical practice in private dental offices, community clinics, and hospitals
- Public health roles, especially with a further Master's in Public Health
- Academic and teaching positions at colleges and universities training the next generation of hygienists
- Research careers, particularly for MSc and PhD graduates
- Leadership and practice management roles, especially relevant for graduates of programs like Dalhousie's BDH which include a practice management and leadership focus
Final Thoughts
Canada's dental hygiene education system is intentionally tiered: a diploma gets you licensed to practice, while a Bachelor's or Master's degree, from institutions like the University of Alberta or the University of British Columbia, positions you for research, teaching, public health leadership, and expanded clinical scope.
If you're evaluating where to study, the University of Alberta and UBC currently offer the strongest combination of QS Subject Ranking prestige and dedicated, CDAC-accredited dental hygiene degree infrastructure in the country, while institutions like Dalhousie, the University of Manitoba, and George Brown College provide well-established degree-completion routes for practicing hygienists.
Disclaimer: Tuition figures in this article are approximate and based on publicly available data and are subject to change. For updated information, get in touch with LCI Group!
FAQs
Can I do a Bachelor's in Dental Hygiene right after high school in Canada?
Yes, but only at UBC, through its Entry-to-Practice option, a direct 4-year degree open to secondary school graduates. Most other programs, including the University of Alberta's, require at least one year of prior university-level coursework before you can apply.
Is a diploma or a degree better for practicing as a dental hygienist in Canada?
A diploma is the minimum credential needed to get licensed and start practicing in most provinces. A Bachelor's degree isn't required to practice, but it opens doors to research, teaching, public health, and leadership roles that a diploma alone doesn't.
Which Canadian university offers a Master's in Dental Hygiene?
Currently, the University of Alberta is the only Canadian university with a dedicated MSc in Dental Hygiene, a research-based degree involving coursework, original research, and a thesis. Other postgraduate routes (like MPH programs at UBC or Toronto) are related fields, not dental hygiene-specific degrees.
Are dental hygiene certificate courses in Canada meant for beginners?
No. In Canada, certificate programs in this field (like Restorative Dental Hygiene certificates) are add-on specializations for hygienists who already hold a diploma or degree, they expand your clinical scope rather than serving as an entry point into the profession.
How long does a degree-completion program take if I already have a diploma?
It varies by school and how many credits transfer, but most degree-completion programs (Dalhousie, Manitoba, George Brown) take about 1–2 years of additional full-time study, compared to 3–4 years for an entry-level degree.
Do I need to be licensed before applying to a degree-completion program?
Yes. Programs like the University of Manitoba's BScDH and Dalhousie's BDH require current, valid dental hygiene licensure plus a minimum GPA (typically around 3.0) from your diploma program.
Are Canadian dental hygiene degrees recognized outside Canada?
CDAC-accredited programs are generally recognized in the US and Australia as well, though graduates still need to meet the specific licensing/certification requirements of the country or province where they intend to practice.