Education · 1 of 5
The path
Outside Quebec: a college diploma or a university degree, then one national exam. Quebec has its own route: tap Quebec route to add it.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
Biology, chemistry, English and a math. Public college programs are competitive.
- 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
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. Quebec graduates do not write it.
- 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.