Career guide · Types of clinics and models
Private clinic or public sector (CLSC, hospital): comparison for dental professionals
The public network employs a minority of dental professionals, but attracts with its stability. Here is the honest comparison with private clinics, for each position.
Which dental jobs exist in the public sector?
Dental hygienists in public health (school programs, CLSCs), assistants and dentists in hospitals (surgery, patients with special needs), salaried dentists in some institutions, teaching at CEGEP and university. Positions are fewer than in private clinics.
Is pay better in the public sector?
It is set by collective agreements with public scales (for example the health network’s job title nomenclature); for hygienists, it compares with the private median at the start of the scale but can be exceeded by the private sector during shortages. Benefits (pension plan, insurance, leave) are generally richer in the public sector.
And job security?
Stronger in the public sector: permanent unionized positions, defined-benefit pension plan, grievance procedures. The private sector compensates through the shortage (a job is found quickly) and faster growth opportunities.
Are the hours different?
The public sector works mostly Monday to Friday during the day, with school holidays for school-based programs; the private sector offers evenings and weekends, so more flexibility but also a rotation. Depending on your life, either is an advantage.
Where is clinical variety greatest?
In a private family clinic: all treatments, all ages, emergencies, technology. In the public sector, practice is often centred on prevention (hygienists) or on specific clienteles (hospitals). Advanced technology is more common in the private sector.
Does the public sector offer growth?
Toward program coordination, management or teaching positions, according to seniority rules; the private sector offers coordination, training, specialization roles and, for dentists, partnership. Both paths exist; their pace differs.
Can you combine the two?
Yes: many hygienists work a few days in public health and a few days in a private clinic, and dentists split their week between the hospital and the clinic. It is a way to have the stability of one and the variety of the other.
Does the union change daily life?
It frames conditions, schedules and remedies; it brings predictability but less individual flexibility. In a private clinic, the relationship is direct with the employer: faster, but dependent on the quality of management.
Which profile suits the public sector?
People who prioritize stability, leave, the pension plan and prevention; those who want variety, technology, flexible hours and fast growth prefer the private sector. Many move from one to the other over their career.
How do you choose between private and public?
Compare total compensation (salary, pension, insurance, leave), hours, job content and five-year prospects. A structured private clinic, with benefits, operations management and growth, narrows the security gap with the public sector. See positions at Go Dentiste.
Go further
- Group insurance in dental clinics
- Group RRSP, VRSP and savings
- Dental career guide: the 1,000 questions
- All positions at Go Dentiste
Sources and references
- Gouvernement du Québec — Dental hygienists: wages and outlook (IMT)
- Gouvernement du Québec — Dentists: outlook and training (IMT)
- CNESST — Labour standards in Quebec (brochure)
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.