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International dentists · 32 countries, 12 languages

International dentists: practising in Quebec at Go Dentiste

Are you a dentist trained in France, Morocco, Lebanon, Brazil, India, the United States or elsewhere, and want to practise in Quebec? Here, country by country, is the route to the Ordre des dentistes du Québec permit, the French requirement, the work permit and immigration, with official sources, and what Go Dentiste does to welcome you: support from seven dentists, employer steps, clinic work during the process, then percentage-based practice and co-ownership.

Talk to the team
The dentist position
Accueil de la clinique Go Dentiste : une adjointe administrative souriante derrière le comptoir
Three routes to the permit, explained with official sources
Seven dentists to support you clinically
Employer help with the LMIA, CAQ and work permit
Clinic work possible while your file progresses
Percentage first, then co-ownership with no down payment (eligible projects)
New, bilingual clinics 45 minutes from Montreal
Trained abroad? Tell us your country and the step you have reached: Maryse Milton (514 561-5399, maryse@go-dentiste.com) calls you back. For a co-ownership project, Félix Hamel (514 887-9635). Talk to the team now → The dentist position → Become an owner →

Three routes to the permit, depending on where you trained

In Quebec, only a member of the Ordre des dentistes du Québec may perform dental acts, and the permit requires appropriate French proficiency. The path to that permit depends on your diploma: an accredited program recognized by the National Dental Examining Board of Canada, a French diploma covered by the mutual recognition arrangement, or a diploma from any other country going through the Equivalency Process. Each country page details the steps, French, the work permit and immigration, with official sources, and what Go Dentiste does for you: clinical support from seven dentists, employer steps, clinic work during the process, then percentage-based practice and co-ownership.

Accredited programs recognized by the NDEB

Your diploma is treated like a Canadian one: NDEB Certification Process, then application to the Order. No Equivalency Process.

United StatesUs-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.AustraliaAustralian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.New ZealandNew zealand-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.IrelandIrish-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.

France: the mutual recognition arrangement

The most direct route there is: a six-month adaptation internship with a supervising dentist (or an examination), then the permit, with no NDEB examinations.

FranceFrench-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.

NDEB Equivalency Process or university program

Three assessments (AFK, ACJ, NDECC) or an advanced-standing DMD, then certification and the application to the Order. Allow two to four years; we support you along the way.

BelgiumBelgian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.SwitzerlandSwiss-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.United KingdomUk-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.MoroccoMoroccan-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.AlgeriaAlgerian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.TunisiaTunisian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.LebanonLebanese-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.EgyptEgyptian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.SyriaSyrian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.BrazilBrazilian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.PortugalPortuguese-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.MexicoMexican-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.ColombiaColombian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.ArgentinaArgentine-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.SpainSpanish-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.ItalyItalian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.GermanyGerman-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.RomaniaRomanian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.IndiaIndian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.PhilippinesPhilippine-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.ChinaChina-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.IranIranian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.HaitiHaitian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.CameroonCameroonian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.SenegalSenegalese-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.Côte d’IvoireIvorian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.PakistanPakistani-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.NigeriaNigerian-trained dentist: steps, French, immigration, welcome at Go Dentiste.

Your country is not listed?

The NDEB Equivalency Process route applies to graduates of every other country; any country page in the third group gives you the steps. Write to us with your country and diploma: we answer with the same information, adapted to your situation. See also the guide on credential recognition and the Dentist jobs page.

What Go Dentiste offers, whatever your country

  • Clinical support from seven general dentists and specialists, in three new clinics in Montérégie (Valleyfield open 7 days a week)
  • An operations director who coordinates the employer steps (LMIA, documents for the CAQ and work permit)
  • A clinic job in a non-reserved role during your process, to learn the Quebec system and earn a living
  • Percentage-based practice with patients provided, then co-ownership with no down payment or personal guarantee for eligible projects
  • A French-speaking, bilingual environment to progress in French, with a team that itself comes from several countries
Does Go Dentiste sponsor foreign dentists?

In Canada there is no employer ‘sponsorship’ in the American sense: the employer obtains an LMIA and supports the work permit application, and the dentist obtains a practice permit from the Order. Go Dentiste fully assumes this employer role and supports you on both tracks, without being able to guarantee the outcome, which depends on the authorities.

How long before I can practise?

From a few months (accredited programs, French ARM with internship) to two to four years (Equivalency Process), depending on your country, preparation and immigration situation.

Do I need French before starting?

Not to start, yes for the permit: French proficiency is presumed after three years of studies in French, otherwise it is proven by the OQLF exam, with a temporary permit possible in the meantime. Starting to learn now is the best investment.

Go further

Official sources

General information written by the Go Dentiste team from official websites consulted in September 2026; the organizations’ texts prevail. Neither legal nor immigration advice.

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.