Career guide · Training, diplomas and professional orders
Becoming a dentist in Quebec: DMD, ODQ and first years of practice
Becoming a dentist takes five demanding years of study and registration with the Order. Here are the path, the obligations and how to choose your first clinic well.
What training is needed to become a dentist in Quebec?
A doctor of dental medicine (DMD), offered at Université de Montréal, Université Laval and McGill University. The program lasts four to five years depending on the university and admission profile (preparatory year). The Quebec government reports a placement rate of about 88% for this degree.
What is admission like?
Highly competitive: academic record (high R score), dental aptitude test and sometimes multiple mini-interviews (MMI). Most admitted students come from the natural sciences DEC or a bachelor’s degree. Prepare early and aim for excellence in science.
Which exams must you pass after the DMD?
The National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) exams lead to the certificate required for registration. In Quebec, you must then register with the Ordre des dentistes du Québec (ODQ), with proof of French proficiency. The ODQ publishes a welcome kit for new members.
What are the obligations of an ODQ member dentist?
Annual membership fee, professional liability insurance, 90 continuing education units per three-year period with a register, compliance with the code of ethics (advertising, fees, record-keeping, consent) and periodic professional inspection. These obligations are individual, whatever the practice model.
How long does it take to feel comfortable in practice?
Generally two to three years to master speed, complex case management and the patient relationship. A first clinic that offers mentoring, a progressive agenda and trained assistants speeds up that curve considerably; a clinic where you must build everything alone slows it down.
What are the practice models for a young dentist?
Percentage dentist (the most common), salaried (CLSC, hospital, organizations), owner (rare at first), or partner in a group clinic. Our guide Dentist income compares the income of each formula.
How do you choose your first clinic?
Look for patient volume (agenda provided), experienced dentists available for questions, a stable team, recent technology and a reasonable non-competition clause. At Go Dentiste, new graduates are supported by Dr. Dominic Morel-Maynard and the team.
Can a foreign-trained dentist practise in Quebec?
Yes, after the NDEB equivalency process (assessment of fundamental knowledge, clinical exams) or a university qualifying program, then registration with the ODQ with proof of French proficiency. The path often takes two to four years.
Do dental specialties require further training?
Yes: orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics and other specialties require two to six years of residency after the DMD and an ODQ specialist licence. A general dentist can, however, upgrade in implantology or orthodontics without being a specialist.
When should you think about partnership or ownership?
Often after three to five years of practice, when income is stable and the vision clear. Today’s partnership models let you become a co-owner with no down payment or personal guarantee for eligible projects: see Become a Go Dentiste owner.
Go further
- Dentist jobs: percentage or partnership
- Become a Go Dentiste owner
- Dental career guide: the 1,000 questions
- All positions at Go Dentiste
Sources and references
- Gouvernement du Québec — Dentists: outlook and training (IMT)
- ODQ — Welcome kit for new members
- ODQ — Continuing education: your obligations
- Ordre des dentistes du Québec
Content prepared by the Go Dentiste team (Dr Dominic Morel-Maynard, general dentist and owner). Last updated: September 25, 2026. General information for guidance only: only an in-clinic exam can establish a diagnosis and a treatment plan suited to your situation.