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The average dentist salary in Canada is $150,000-$250,000 per year. This guide breaks down dentist pay by province, specialty, and practice ownership.
Dentist Salary by Province
| Province | Associate | Owner Average |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $180,000 | $300,000 |
| Ontario | $170,000 | $280,000 |
| British Columbia | $175,000 | $290,000 |
| Quebec | $150,000 | $250,000 |
| Saskatchewan | $170,000 | $280,000 |
| Manitoba | $165,000 | $270,000 |
| Nova Scotia | $160,000 | $260,000 |
| New Brunswick | $155,000 | $250,000 |
| Newfoundland | $165,000 | $270,000 |
| PEI | $150,000 | $240,000 |
| Territories | $200,000+ | $350,000+ |
Salary by Position Type
| Position | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Associate Dentist | $150,000-$200,000 |
| Solo Practice Owner | $250,000-$400,000 |
| Multi-Location Owner | $400,000-$1,000,000+ |
| Corporate Dental | $160,000-$220,000 |
| Public Health Dentist | $120,000-$160,000 |
| Academic/University | $130,000-$180,000 |
Specialist Salaries
| Specialty | Average Income |
|---|---|
| Oral Surgeon | $350,000-$500,000 |
| Orthodontist | $300,000-$450,000 |
| Periodontist | $280,000-$400,000 |
| Endodontist | $300,000-$450,000 |
| Prosthodontist | $280,000-$400,000 |
| Pediatric Dentist | $250,000-$350,000 |
Associate vs Owner Income
| Factor | Associate | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Base/Gross Income | $170,000 | $800,000 (gross) |
| Overhead | None | 60-70% |
| Take-Home | $170,000 | $280,000 |
| Equity Building | No | Yes |
| Risk | Low | High |
| Hours | 35-40/week | 40-50/week |
Take-Home Pay (Ontario Example)
| Gross Salary | Annual Take-Home | Monthly Net |
|---|---|---|
| $170,000 | $113,000 | $9,420 |
| $220,000 | $140,000 | $11,670 |
| $300,000 | $183,000 | $15,250 |
Note: Practice owners have additional tax strategies (incorporation, income splitting).
Career Path to Higher Earnings
| Stage | Timeline | Expected Income |
|---|---|---|
| Dental School | 4 years | -$200,000+ (debt) |
| New Graduate Associate | Years 1-3 | $140,000-$160,000 |
| Experienced Associate | Years 3-7 | $170,000-$200,000 |
| Practice Owner | Year 5+ | $250,000-$400,000 |
| Multi-Practice Owner | Year 10+ | $400,000-$1,000,000 |
Practice Ownership Economics
| Revenue (Per Operatory) | ~$400,000/year | | Typical Practice (4 ops) | $1.6M gross | | Overhead (65%) | $1.04M | | Owner Profit | $560,000 | | Dentist Working Days | 200/year | | Per Day Profit | $2,800 |
Is Dentistry a Good Career in Canada?
Pros:
- High income potential
- Practice ownership opportunity
- Work-life balance (set your hours)
- Recession-resistant
- Respected profession
- No on-call emergencies
Cons:
- High student debt ($200K-$300K+)
- Expensive startup costs for practice
- Physical strain (back, hands)
- Insurance/admin headaches
- Competitive urban markets
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