Dental students pursuing post-doctoral studies should consider the University of British Columbia - Faculty of Dentistry for the depth of their overall program. Undergraduate coursework towards becoming a dental hygienist or a doctor of dental medicine (DDM) is available, as well as an international dental degree completion program. Graduate level students can earn their diploma in periodontics, a master of science degree in dental science, or a PhD in oral biology. Post graduate students can participate in the university's integrated dental practitioner program or choose from two residency programs offered to post-graduate candidates. Students seeking to study to become a certified dental assistant, dental hygienist or a dental reception coordinator can investigate the programs offered by the Vancouver Community College which also features an advanced program for certified dental assistants towards becoming dental hygienists, which is called Dental Hygiene Access for CDA's. Students who are focused on a career as a dental hygienist can also review the program offered at the Vancouver College of Dental Hygiene.
Dental school graduates that wish to stay in the Vancouver area will have an increasing number of employment opportunities. The provincial agency that is responsible for new job projections, British Columbia Occupational Outlook - Workforce Futures projects that there will be 393 new positions for dentists in BC created between 2001 and 2011, for a total of 2,843 dentists. The annual growth for the profession is pegged at 1.5%, with nearly two thirds of those new jobs being created in the “lower mainland” provincial region, essentially greater Vancouver and outlying areas. Prospects for dental hygienists and assistants are equally positive, with nearly 300 new dental hygienist jobs in BC during the decade, and an annual growth rate of 1.5% to bring the total to 2,164. The annual growth rate for dental assistant positions in BC is projected at 1.8%, from 5,633 positions in 2001 to 6,715 positions in 2011, for a total of 1,082 new positions.
Dental Schools, Programs & Courses
in Vancouver
Subjects listed are highlights of programs
and/or courses offered.
There are many big city choices for dental students that would like to attend an excellent school of dentistry, but Vancouver is like no other city in North America. It's unique not only because it has one of the best dental schools in Canada, but also as a result of the geography and people that comprise this great metropolitan area. For students studying dentistry at any level, the environment is a recipe for success. Additionally, there are many organization that serve dental students and professionals in the area. One such group is the British Columbia Dental Hygienists Association but there are many more. In fact, the Vancouver & District Dental Society has organized study clubs for dental students in areas such as Endodontics, Periodontics, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics and several other dental disciplines.
Other Resources for Dental Education and Careers in Vancouver