Dental assistants

Prince Edward Island

The employment outlook will be Good for dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (NOC 33100) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.The demand for workers in this field is expected to continue to face good employment prospects in P.E.I., with demand rising due to the province’s aging population, growing awareness of oral health, and the rollout of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Recent media reports highlight that more Island dentists have signed onto the federal program, but many clinics remain at or near full staffing capacity, limiting their ability to expand services. This shortage of dental staff—including assistants—has created longer wait times and increased pressure on existing teams. Here are some key facts about dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants in Prince Edward Island: Approximately 150 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants mainly work in the following sectors: Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): more than 95% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 90% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 10% compared to 16% for all occupations31% of dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants work all year, while 69% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 38 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 9% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 91% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: 11% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 11% compared to 11% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 75% compared to 25% for all occupations bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

Saskatchewan

The employment outlook will be Good for dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (NOC 33100) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants in Saskatchewan: Approximately 1,550 people work in this occupation. Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants mainly work in the following sectors: Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 93% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 84% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 16% compared to 19% for all occupations43% of dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants work all year, while 56% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 39 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: less than 5% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: more than 95% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 9% compared to 33% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 37% compared to 15% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 47% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 18% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations

Nova Scotia

The employment outlook will be Good for dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (NOC 33100) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.The number of dentists in Nova Scotia has been increasing, resulting in a shortage of dental assistants. Demand for this occupation is very strong with vacancies frequently occurring throughout the province, improving the likelihood that a jobseeker will find employment in the community of their choice. In response to the strong demand for dental assistants, one of the colleges offering dental assisting accreditation added a training location in Dartmouth in 2020. Full-time, part-time, and fill-in positions are available, increasing the chance that applicants will find a position with their preferred number of hours.Here are some key facts about dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants in Nova Scotia: Approximately 800 people work in this occupation. Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants mainly work in the following sectors: Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 92% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 90% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 10% compared to 18% for all occupations35% of dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants work all year, while 65% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: less than 5% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: more than 95% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 5% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 22% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 63% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 6% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations