Education · 1 of 5

The path

A college diploma or a university degree, then one national exam.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Biology, chemistry, English and a math. Public college programs are competitive.

2. 2

   Dental hygiene diploma or degree

   2 to 3 years

   2 to 3 years at a college or university. Half classroom, half clinic treating real patients. Some programs want a year of university science first.

3. 3

   NDHCE (National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination)

   After graduation

   One national written exam, run by the FDHRC (Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada) and offered a few times a year.

4. 4

   Register with your provincial college

   A few weeks

   For example the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario. Some provinces add a short law and ethics test.