Top Challenges International Dentists Face in Canada

Many dental professionals desire to move to Canada because it is generally considered a very desirable place for dentists to work and live. Furthermore, many internationally educated dentists come to Canada each year because of a high demand, excellent salary and standard of living in this country.

That said, for most internationally educated dentists, while the long-term opportunities available in Canada are exceptional, the path to successful licensure and practice can be an incredibly challenging one.

Many dentists arrive in Canada with lots of clinical experience, only to find themselves overwhelmed with the different requirements needed for licensure, complex immigration processes, the financial burden associated with relocating to Canada, and the unfamiliarity of how to practice within a new professional system. These challenges that many doctors face are real, yet they can be overcome.

International dentists face difficulties in Canada due to multiple layers involved in the licensing process. Every dentist must adhere to requirements as per the Canadian laws governing the practice of dentistry regardless of their dental degree or where they were educated.

Reasons For The Challenges

– Numerous requirements and steps are involved in becoming licensed.

– Lengthy process of the reviewing credentials.

– There are many components of the NDEB you will be unfamiliar with.

– Anxiety related to exams and required documentation.

How To Overcome Your Challenges

– Determine what the process will be for Equivalency or Advanced Standing as soon as possible.

– Begin gathering documentation and preparing for Credential Verification as soon as you are able.

– Create a realistic timeline as opposed to preparing for an examination in haste.

– Find someone to assist you through your licensing process.

If you develop a systemic approach to obtaining your license with careful planning, your likelihood of successfully completing the process is significantly greater than if you do not.

There’s plenty of immigration programs available in Canada, so with no clear strategy it’s often quite confusing to navigate your way through Canada.

Dentist face confusion and difficult decisions about:

• Which immigration program is suitable for them
• How the Express Entry CRS scoring system works
• Whether they are required to obtain a job offer
• How long it will take to obtain their license, and when they can expect to get their immigration status.

How to Solve Immigration Problems

1. Determine whether to use Express Entry or PNP to immigrate to Canada
2. Increase your CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points by improving education/Language/Employment Experience
3. Plan your Immigration path to coordinate with your Plan for Licensure.
4. Keep up to date with Immigration policy beyond 2025.

If dentists gather accurate and comprehensive information regarding the immigration process, they will use their time efficiently and provide maximum benefit from their successful process of practice establishment.

Challenge 3: Financial Hardship During the Transition

Dentists that have immigrated from other countries will often experience financial hardship in Canada due to taking exams, receiving credential evaluations and living in Canada while waiting for their dental professional license to be issued.

Typical financial concerns:

• Exam and application fees
• Expenses while in school and preparing for exams
• Limited income sources while waiting after arriving
• Ongoing financial obligations to family

Recommendations to resolve this challenge:

• Create a realistic budget before you arrive
• Save enough money so you can live comfortably for 12-18 months
• Look for alternative work opportunities as a dentist during the transition period
• Choose to live in lower cost cities or provinces

Creating a budget and having enough cash saved to live off of for 12-18 months will take some of the pressure off of you and allow you to concentrate on building your future business instead of worrying about how to pay the bills each month.

Challenge 4: Lacking Experience in Canada

Most Canadian employers would prefer to hire someone who has all of their experience gained while working in Canada instead of a graduate from an international school. The employer will view a dentist with graduate qualifications but without Canadian work experience as lacking “Canadian” experience, and potentially causing issues when working with other dentists, patients, and in the regulatory environment.

Why is Canadian work experience important?

• Understanding how to follow the rules regarding provision of dental service in Canada.
• Having an understanding of how to communicate with patients in the manner (based upon their standards) that they expect.
• Knowing what system is used to provide dental care in Canada.

How do I overcome this challenge?

• Observerships/clinical programs.

• Bridging/qualifying programs.

• Dental support positions, if permitted.

• Networking through associations and events.

Having experience in providing dental care in Canada is not the same as having experience in providing dental care in Canada for many years. If you have had a reasonable amount of exposure to dental care provided in Canada and are flexible enough to adapt, you will have Canadian work experience.

Challenge 5: Adapting to Canadian Dental Practice Culture

International dentist to experience a significant change in Canadian Dental Practice Culture.

Common Changes:

•           More informed consent

•           More in-depth documentation

•           Patient-centered communication

•           More regulatory compliance

Solutions:

•           Attend continuing education or orientation programs

•           Learn about Canadian ethical and legal expectations

•           Observe local practice style

•           Be open to feedback & mentorship

Those who adapted to the local culture will integrate better and secure more trust from patients.

Challenge 6 : Emotional Distress and Uncertainty Ding Dong

Inevitably, many dentists will experience an emotional strain from their attempt at becoming a licensed dentist when making the transition from a dentist’s country of origin to another foreign country.

There are many different types of emotional distress when trying to gain your dental license in another country; some examples are:

• Feelings of self-doubt before taking a licensure examination

OR

• Mental fatigue from a long/uncertain path to licensure

OR

• Feeling alone and isolated by relocating to a different country

OR

• The pressure of having to be successful immediately because of others’ expectations.

Here are some strategies to help you manage the emotional distress/unrest of the licensure process:

1. Create a list of the different things that must be done in order to obtain your licensure; how long each task will take to complete and put this list on top of your desk.

• Join associations or groups specific to international dentists as a means to communicate with and network with other international dentists; as the basis of building a network of other international dentists who can help you with your licensure.

• Find 1 or more international dentists who have previously relocated to your new country and ask them to mentor and assist you in your licensure journey.

• List all of your long-term and short-term goals, both personal and professionally (work).

Challenge 7: Selecting the Correct Province.

Not every province provides similar opportunities, prices, or immigration benefits.

What to do to Resolve This Challenge

•           Investigate the demand for dentists in that province.

•           Compare the time it takes to receive your license and the cost of obtaining your license.

•           Look at your living expenses compared to the income that you might receive.

•           Look for provinces with quicker immigration paths.

The flexibility of where you want to live may improve your ability to obtain a dental license and immigrate successfully.

Reasons Why a High Percentage of Dentists Continue to Thrive in Spite of Obstacles

Every year, thousands of international dentists find success in developing their careers in Canada despite obstacles that they must overcome.

The separation between the successful and those less fortunate usually is based on:

•           A proactive approach to career development

•           Accurate information in a timely manner

•           Making well thought-out decisions

•           Making use of the requisite professionals to assist them

Although Canada’s systems are rigorous, they are also open and attainable if you approach them correctly.

If you’re a dentist looking into working abroad, Canada is a great choice; however, if you want to achieve success, you will have to put in some time and effort.

Internationally-trained dentists who are prepared for the obstacles they might face in Canada and who apply effective ways to deal with those obstacles can have their first step towards their professional goals of living in Canada as a full-time dental professional.

The Canadian dental profession can be challenging; however, if you plan your strategy and remain dedicated to your goals, there is an abundance of opportunities and long-term sustenance for dentists in Canada.