Career guide · Salary and pay
Dental receptionist and secretary salary: 10 questions
The front desk is the heart of a dental clinic. Here is what dental secretaries and administrative assistants earn in Quebec, and what pushes their pay up.
How much does a dental secretary earn in Quebec?
Dental secretaries are grouped with medical administrative assistants in provincial statistics: hourly rate from $20 to $29, median $24.53 (2023-2025 average), about $38,000 to $55,000 a year full-time. The 2025-2029 outlook is « very good ». See the dental receptionist position at Go Dentiste.
Is a receptionist without dental experience paid less?
Often a little at first, while learning the software, treatment codes and RAMQ, CDCP and insurance billing. Solid customer service experience transfers very well, though, and many clinics close the gap after three to six months of in-house training.
Does bilingualism raise a dental secretary’s pay?
Yes, especially in mixed-clientele areas like Vaudreuil-Dorion and the West Island. A receptionist comfortable in French and English converts more calls into appointments, which has direct value for the clinic. State it clearly in your resume and at the interview.
Which tasks justify higher pay at the front desk?
Billing and claims follow-up (RAMQ, Canadian Dental Care Plan, private insurance), managing the agenda of several dentists, reactivating inactive patients, coordinating emergencies and training new staff. These responsibilities bring the role closer to that of an administrative coordinator.
Can a dental secretary receive bonuses?
Some clinics offer bonuses tied to agenda occupancy, collections or patient satisfaction. It is not the norm and the law does not require it. If a bonus is offered, ask how it is calculated, how often it is paid and whether it was actually paid last year.
What is the pay difference between receptionist and coordinator?
The clinic coordinator or manager supervises the front desk, schedules and sometimes purchasing; pay generally exceeds the top of the secretaries’ scale ($29) and may be annualized. It is the natural progression for an experienced receptionist in a growing clinic or banner.
Are evening and weekend hours paid more at the front desk?
Not necessarily: the law only requires the 50% premium beyond 40 hours a week. In a 7-day clinic the front desk is open evenings and weekends; many employers offer a premium for those shifts or let staff choose their slots. Ask.
How do you negotiate a dental secretary salary?
Quantify your value: calls and appointments handled, billing experience, software mastered, languages spoken. Compare with the median ($24.53) and ask for a precise rate plus a review on a fixed date. Read our guide Negotiating your salary in a dental clinic.
Is pay different between a general clinic and a specialist’s office?
Specialist offices (orthodontics, surgery) sometimes pay slightly more but offer fewer evening and weekend hours and less variety. A family clinic open 7 days offers more hours, a diverse clientele and more room for advancement.
Which clinics are hiring dental secretaries in Montérégie?
Go Dentiste is hiring secretaries and receptionists for its clinics in Valleyfield, Vaudreuil-Dorion (opened 2026) and Saint-Zotique (2027). Software and billing training is provided; customer service experience is enough to apply.
Go further
- Dental receptionist jobs at Go Dentiste
- CDCP: what the front desk needs to know
- Dental career guide: the 1,000 questions
- All positions at Go Dentiste
Sources and references
- Gouvernement du Québec — Medical administrative assistants: wages and outlook (IMT)
- Gouvernement du Québec — Wage guide by occupation, 2024 edition (PDF)
- CNESST — Labour standards in Quebec (brochure)
- Health Canada — CDCP reaches new milestones in Quebec (November 2025)
- RAMQ — Covered dental services
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.