These governing bodies ensure dentists meet the necessary standards of education, ethics, and professionalism. Below is a list of the licensing authorities for dentists in each province and territory:
Provincial and Territorial Dental Licensing Authorities in Canada
- Alberta
- Governing Body: Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C)
- Website: www.dentalhealthalberta.ca
- British Columbia
- Governing Body: British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP)
- Website: www.bccohp.ca
- Manitoba
- Governing Body: Manitoba Dental Association (MDA)
- Website: www.manitobadentist.ca
- New Brunswick
- Governing Body: New Brunswick Dental Society (NBDS)
- Website: www.nbds.ca
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Governing Body: Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Board (NLDB)
- Website: www.nldb.ca
- Nova Scotia
- Governing Body: Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia (PDBNS)
- Website: www.pdbns.ca
- Ontario
- Governing Body: Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO)
- Website: www.rcdso.org
- Prince Edward Island
- Governing Body: Dental Council of Prince Edward Island (DCPEI)
- Website: www.dcpei.ca
- Quebec
- Governing Body: Ordre des dentistes du Québec (ODQ)
- Website: www.odq.qc.ca
- Saskatchewan
- Governing Body: College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CDSS)
- Website: www.cdss.ca
- Northwest Territories and Nunavut
- Governing Body: Government of Northwest Territories – Professional Licensing
- Website: www.hss.gov.nt.ca
- Yukon
- Governing Body: Government of Yukon – Professional Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
- Website: yukon.ca
National Oversight and Collaboration
While each province or territory governs its dental professionals, these organizations collaborate nationally through the Canadian Dental Regulatory Authorities Federation (CDRAF) to ensure consistent standards across Canada.
This list can help patients verify a dentist’s credentials or direct dental professionals seeking licensure to the appropriate regulatory body.