Average General Dentist Salary in Ontario
Percentile Wage Estimates for General Dentists
General Dentist Salary in Ontario
The role of a general dentist in Ontario is both rewarding and essential to the province’s growing focus on preventive and restorative oral care. As more Ontarians prioritize regular dental check-ups and advanced treatments, general dentists continue to see strong demand, stable income growth, and ample opportunities to advance their careers in one of Canada’s most populous provinces.
According to recent data, the average annual general dentist’s salary in Ontario is approximately $316,000, translating to about $26,333 per month or roughly $152 per hour. This competitive pay reflects steady patient flow, expanding practice networks, and a robust healthcare infrastructure that supports general dentistry as the foundation of oral health services.
General Dentist Salary Comparison Across Canadian Provinces
| States | Average Monthly Salary | Average Annual Salary | Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $31,667 | $380,000 | $183/hour |
| British Columbia | $26,917 | $323,000 | $155/hour |
While general dentists’ earnings in Ontario are slightly less than their counterparts in Alberta, the province remains highly attractive thanks to its strong job market, diverse patient population, and excellent opportunities for practice ownership or specialization. With hundreds of general dentist openings across Ontario’s urban and rural communities, the outlook for dentists remains bright and stable.
Ontario offers strong opportunities for general dentists across the province. Major metropolitan areas like Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, and Hamilton have high patient volumes and cutting-edge clinics with advanced technology. Meanwhile, Northern Ontario and rural regions face shortages of dental providers, presenting higher income potential and generous incentives to attract dentists willing to relocate.
General Dentist Salary Trends in Ontario
As per recent official data, the average annual general dentist salary in Ontario is around $212,000 to $420,000, which is one of the highest in the nation.
What Is the Role of a General Dentist?
General dentists are primary oral healthcare providers who diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of dental conditions for patients of all ages. Their day-to-day responsibilities typically include:
- ●Conducting comprehensive dental exams and oral cancer screenings
- General dentists perform thorough examinations of the teeth, gums, tongue, and other oral tissues to detect cavities, gum disease, or early signs of oral cancer. These regular check-ups help identify problems before they become more serious, supporting long-term patient health.
- ●Taking and interpreting diagnostic X-rays
- Using digital or traditional radiography, general dentists capture detailed images of the teeth and jaw to uncover hidden issues such as impacted teeth, bone loss, abscesses, or decay that cannot be seen during a visual exam alone.
- ●Developing personalized treatment plans for preventive and restorative procedures
- After assessing a patient’s oral health, general dentists create tailored care plans that may include cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings, crowns, or more complex restorations, all designed to maintain or restore optimal dental function and appearance.
- ●Performing a wide range of clinical procedures including fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, and extractions
- From repairing cavities with tooth-colored fillings to placing crowns and bridges or conducting root canal therapy to save infected teeth, general dentists handle most routine and advanced dental treatments. They may also perform tooth extractions when necessary.
- ●Educating patients on proper oral hygiene and preventive care techniques
- General dentists take time to teach patients how to brush and floss effectively, recommend products suited to their needs, and advise on dietary habits that support healthy teeth and gums. This education helps prevent future dental issues.
- ●Coordinating care with dental specialists as needed
- When a patient’s condition requires advanced treatment beyond the scope of general practice, such as orthodontics, periodontics, or oral surgery, general dentists collaborate with specialists to ensure seamless, comprehensive care.
- ●Managing follow-up care and ongoing maintenance for long-term oral health
- General dentists monitor patients’ progress through regular recall visits, adjusting treatment plans as needed and addressing new concerns promptly to maintain excellent oral health throughout a patient’s life.
Together, these responsibilities highlight the vital role general dentists play in preserving healthy smiles, preventing disease, and delivering trusted care with modern technologies and evidence-based techniques.
Practice Settings for General Dentists in Ontario
Ontario’s diverse communities and healthcare system provide general dentists with various work settings to match different career goals and lifestyles:
- ●Private practices
- Most general dentists work in private clinics, enjoying autonomy, patient loyalty, and potential for future ownership.
- ●Corporate dental groups and DSOs
- Larger group practices offer predictable patient flow, mentorship, administrative support, and clear career pathways.
- ●Community health centers and public clinics
- General dentists serving underserved or low-income communities often deliver broader scopes of care with support from government funding.
- ●Mobile and outreach clinics
- Some dentists join mobile units or public health programs, providing care in schools, retirement homes, or remote communities.
- ●Multi-specialty group practices
- General dentists in larger practices collaborate with specialists to offer comprehensive care under one roof.
Trends for General Dentist Salary in Ontario
General dentist salaries in Ontario have risen steadily over the past decade due to several driving factors:
- ●Rising demand for routine and advanced care
- More patients are investing in comprehensive oral health, including cosmetic and restorative procedures, boosting patient volume and case complexity.
- ●A growing and aging population
- Ontario’s large senior demographic requires frequent dental care, including crowns, implants, and full-mouth restorations.
- ●Advances in technology
- Clinics that adopt digital X-rays, CAD/CAM systems, and same-day dentistry workflows generate more billings, directly benefiting production-based income models.
- ●Practice structure and compensation models
- Many general dentists work on a fee-for-service or production split basis, typically earning 35–45% of their billings, which scales with patient demand and treatment complexity.
- ●Urban vs. rural opportunities
- Major cities like Toronto, Ottawa, and Mississauga offer high patient turnover, while rural areas provide incentives like signing bonuses, relocation support, and fast-track pathways to practice ownership.
Factors Driving General Dentist Income in Ontario
Several factors continue to keep general dentist salaries in Ontario highly competitive. Many dental practices across the province are expanding their hours of operation or opening new locations to meet the steady rise in patient demand, creating more opportunities for general dentists to increase their patient load and income.
Additionally, there is a growing demand for cosmetic and elective procedures such as veneers, teeth whitening, and other aesthetic treatments, which add significant revenue potential to general practice. Dentists who choose to work in rural or northern communities often benefit from higher pay, attractive signing bonuses, and access to government-supported loan forgiveness programs designed to address provider shortages outside urban centres. Furthermore, Ontario’s aging dentist workforce means many practice owners are approaching retirement, opening the door for motivated associates to transition into practice ownership — a step that can substantially boost long-term earning potential and career stability.
General dentistry in Ontario is evolving alongside new technologies, patient expectations, and healthcare policies. The demand for preventive, restorative, and cosmetic treatments remains high, while innovations like digital impressions, AI diagnostics, and teledentistry are reshaping how services are delivered.
With an aging population and ongoing investment in public oral health initiatives, general dentists can expect stable demand, rising earning potential, and rewarding career pathways for years to come.
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