Canada faces a significant demand for dentists across its provinces, aiming to address a mounting labour shortage in this medical profession. According to Job Bank, a leading job-hunting and career-planning website, the job prospects for dentists in the country are ranked as "good" to "very good" over the next eight years.
Between 2022 and 2031, Job Bank estimates 13,500 new job openings for dentists due to expansion demand and replacement demand. Simultaneously, 10,500 new job seekers will emerge from school graduates, immigration, and mobility, contributing to the candidate pool. However, this leaves a projected shortfall of 3,000 positions for dentists due to the lack of adequately qualified candidates to fill these vacancies.
Despite a historically balanced job market within this occupational group, the forecasted job openings are anticipated to surpass the number of job seekers significantly. This imbalance is predicted to result in a shortage of workers in the period spanning from 2022 to 2031.
Earlier this year, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced Canada's Express Entry system. Beginning this summer, the system will focus on 82 professions, encompassing healthcare, technology, trades, transport, agriculture, and dentists. This initiative presents foreign nationals aspiring to immigrate to Canada with a new avenue to secure permanent residence in the country.
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Previously, the flagship Express Entry selection system primarily conducted draws based on immigration programs rather than targeting specific occupations. However, the recent announcement signals a shift as it aims to prioritize certain professions, including dentists, within its selection process.
Indeed, dentists in Canada discover many fantastic opportunities awaiting their expertise and skills. By late June, Job Bank had already listed 80 job openings for dentists under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, categorized with code 31110. Several employers expressed the intent to hire multiple dentists.
On Indeed.ca, a job-hunting platform, a search for "dentist" yielded 1,481 results. However, it's worth noting that many of these listings were for dental assistants and hygienists. Of the dentist job postings on Job Bank, the majority, around 56.5%, were situated in Ontario, Canada's most populous province.
In Canada, dentists have a median annual income of $118,394, according to information from Job Bank. However, this figure varies significantly, ranging from a minimum of $30,128 annually to a maximum of $261,517. Alberta boasts the highest potential incomes for dentists, with these professionals potentially earning up to $344,374 annually in that province.
The recent changes, announced at the end of May, indicate that the Express Entry streams, including the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program, Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), along with parts of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), will be more aligned with the country's labour market demands.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser remarked, "Everywhere I go, I've heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages."
Fraser emphasized that adjusting the Express Entry system would guarantee the availability of skilled workers essential for the employers' growth and success. He added this would improve the potential for economic growth and support businesses facing labour shortages. Additionally, they highlighted the intent to boost the number of French-proficient candidates to sustain the vibrancy of French-speaking communities.
Canada initially indicated its plan to initiate occupation-specific draws through Express Entry in June last year. During this period, amendments were introduced to the Immigration, Refugee, and Protection Act, enabling invitations to be issued based on specific occupations and other criteria, including language proficiency. For several years, most of Canada's provinces have been issuing invitations tailored to specific occupations.
As per the amended act, the immigration minister must consult with provinces, territories, industry members, unions, employers, workers, worker advocacy groups, settlement provider organizations, and immigration researchers and practitioners before introducing new categories. Additionally, IRCC must annually report to parliament, detailing the chosen categories and the rationale behind their selection.
The data from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) reveals a twofold increase in occupations encountering shortages between 2019 and 2021. During the years spanning from 2018 to 2022, high-skilled admissions at the federal level accounted for approximately 34 to 40 percent of the overall admissions of French-speaking individuals outside Quebec. It's important to note that Quebec independently manages its immigration intake.
Dentists can immigrate to Canada through the Targeted Express Entry program. Recognizing the significance of dentists in healthcare, the Canadian government has specifically listed the occupation of dentists in the Targeted Occupations List.
Canada's immigration landscape witnessed a profound change with introducing a category-based selection process in the Express Entry program, a significant advancement following the passage of Bill C-19. This legislation empowered the immigration minister to invite candidates possessing specific attributes aligned with Canada's economic goals.
Prospective immigrants have eagerly anticipated these new Targeted Express Entry Draws, with the IRCC now offering detailed eligibility requirements for selection.
To qualify for the Targeted Express Entry Draw, a minimum of six months of continuous work experience as a dentist within the last three years is required.
Let us review the basic eligibility criteria for Dentists:
| Title | NOC TEER Code | Work Experience Required |
| Dentists | 31110 | Minimum 6 months of consecutive work experience within the past 3 years in the same occupation |
Eligibility for the Targeted Express Entry Draw requires qualification for one of the Federal Express Entry programs, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades and the Canadian Experience Class Program.
For accurate identification of your NOC code and to ensure the correct occupation category selection, it is strongly recommended to seek guidance from professional immigration experts. Alternatively, you can directly check the official website of the Canadian government for the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes.
You must follow these steps to apply for the Targeted Express Entry as a dentist:
Ensure you fulfill the criteria for dentists, including a minimum of 6 months of continuous work experience within the last three years, among other requirements for federal immigration programs.
Undergo language assessments such as CELPIP or IELTS for English and TEF or TCF for French, as needed for Express Entry.
Create an accurate profile on the Canadian government's site detailing your education, work history, language proficiency, and relevant information. Your profile will be ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Optimize your CRS score by maximizing points in language proficiency, education, work experience, and other factors like Canadian work experience or provincial nominations. Seek professional advice for a better chance of success.
Wait for the Targeted Express Entry Draws for Dentists in the healthcare category, as securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) is crucial for permanent residency application.
Regularly check Express Entry draws to verify if they are focusing on dentists. Upon receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), collect the necessary documents and apply for PR within the specified timeframe.
Undergo medical examinations to meet immigration health standards.
During the application process, security checks are also a requirement.
Monitor your application status online while immigration authorities process it. Please note that processing times can differ.
Read To Know: Canada to Focus on Healthcare Workers: Express Entry Targeted Occupations
Dentistry offers a promising career path in Canada due to the substantial demand for dental services. The country witnesses approximately 30 million dental visits annually, coupled with a growing elderly population, creating a clear need for more than the existing count of 23,000 dentists. Those in the dental profession in Canada generally earn an annual income of around CAD 140,000. Still, it's important to note that the cost of living can vary significantly based on the specific location within the country.
For dentists aiming to immigrate to Canada, several steps are necessary for obtaining authorization to practice dentistry in Canada.
The Targeted Express Entry program helps dentists with lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores get permanent residency in Canada. The Express Entry Program is a quick way to get Canadian PR. The Provincial Nominee Program lets you apply for a provincial nomination, boosting your chances of being chosen.
At ImmiLaw Global, we're dedicated to increasing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the upcoming Target Express Entry Draws. Our array of services, ranging from qualifications assessment to visa application preparation and valuable insights into the Canadian dental job market, is tailored precisely to address your unique requirements.
Contact us today to kickstart your successful immigration journey as a Dentist.
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