An exciting new program has been announced by the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (AFCD). The program aims to help Canadian citizens and internationally trained permanent residents in Canada to achieve licensure in a quicker and cheaper way. The program should have a very positive impact on the oral health of Canadians.
The Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD) has introduced a new program, which could have a very positive impact on the oral health industry in Canada [1].
The program is called the Bridge Training to Dental Practice in Canada (BTDPC), with applications opening in February 2025 [1].
The hope is that its impact will hopefully be seen over the next several years, aiding the oral health of several generations of Canadians.
The Program
The AFCD’s program offers the chance for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are internationally trained dentists to secure licensure in Canada [1].
Licensure refers to the process where a healthcare professional becomes licensed to practice. Therefore, licensure in dentistry in Canada provides a healthcare professional with the certification and confirmation to practice oral healthcare.
Moreover, the program is also open to those that have graduated from a recognized but non-accredited four-year university dental program [1].
The BTDPC will be offered in three locations across Canada. The University of Alberta, Dalhousie University, and l’Université Laval in Alberta, Nova Scotia and Québec respectively [1].
Dalhousie University issued a press release, stating that this program offers a “quicker and cheaper” pathway to licensure [2].
Furthermore, they state that the program “will provide a third pathway to licensure, in addition to passing the National Dental Examining Board (NDEB) exams or securing a place in an advanced-standing program at a Canadian dental school” [2].
Therefore, there are a range of benefits provided by the program. It is likely that there will be a large number of applicants. Applications for the BTDPC will open on February 1st 2025 [1].
The location that each participant of the BTDPC will train at will be confirmed during the application process. The aim is for all participants to complete the program within eight months [1].
In terms of qualifications, participants will need to have passed the NDEB’s Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge and Assessment of Clinical Judgment within the last three years [1].
The fees for the 2025-2026 cohort will involve a $250 application fee, a $500 assessment fee, and a $10,000 fee for training [1].
The AFCD will be running the program initially for two years. Then, they will evaluate the program and decide if adjustments are required.
Why will this be good for Canada?
This program should prove beneficial in many ways. Above all, it will offer many participants a highly-rewarding career in oral health.
Those that successfully pass the course will be able to launch a career in the industry – such as being a dentist or dental hygienist.
This is important, as there is a shortage of workers in the dental industry in Canada. In fact, Lynn Tomkins, President of the Canadian Dental Association, stated that there was a shortage of almost 5,000 dental assistants alone, and this doesn’t even take into account dentists themselves [3].
This is even more pronounced in rural areas. Those living in rural areas often have to travel significant distances to see a dentist.
As a result of this poor access, combined with high costs, many people are not visiting the dentist regularly. For example, a 2023 study found that only 65% of Canadians had seen a dental professional in the previous 12 months [4].
Therefore, having more dentists should help to lessen this issue, and provide healthcare for more people in the country.
Regular check-ups are crucial, as they allow a dentist the chance to assess their patient’s oral health and identify any problems that need addressing.
With the BTDPC program having numerous benefits, it is likely that its introduction will have a highly positive impact on Canadians for many years to come.
Thinking points…
1) We mentioned above about how many people don’t have easy access to a dentist. Well, here at Savanna Dental, we are located in an easily-reached part of Calgary! We would love you to come and visit us, and to see the wide range of services we offer our patients. You can find out more about us on our homepage – https://savannadental.ca!
2) At the end of the article, we touched on the importance of attending dental appointments regularly. As mentioned, they provide a dentist with the chance to look at their patient’s oral health in detail. If issues arise, these can be resolved. You should attend the dentist at least once every six months. We recommend booking an appointment now!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!
References
[1] Oral Health. (2025). ACFD launches pilot program for foreign-trained dentists to gain licensure in a ‘cheaper, quicker’ way. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/oral-health/acfd-launches-pilot-program-for-foreign-trained-dentists-to-gain-licensure-in-a-cheaper-quicker-way-1003983890/. Last accessed: 24th January 2025.
[2] Bell, C. (2025). Announcing a new path for licensure in Canada for internationally-trained dentists. Available: https://www.dal.ca/faculty/dentistry/news-events/news/2025/01/21/announcing_a_new_path_for_licensure_in_canada_for_internationally_trained_dentists.html. Last accessed: 24th January 2025.
[3] Dangerfield, K. (2023). Canada has a dental assistant shortage. Experts worry it’ll only get worse. Available: https://globalnews.ca/news/9631941/dentist-assistant-shortage-canada/. Last accessed: 24th January 2025.
[4] Statistics Canada. (2024). More than one-third of Canadians reported they had not visited a dental professional in the previous 12 months, 2022. Available: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/231106/dq231106a-eng.htm. Last accessed: 24th January 2025.
