Brianna HarrisonTop 4 Dental Schools in Toronto
Are you the type of person who wants to make people’s smiles free from tooth decay and cavities? A career in dentistry or dental health is the one for you.
There are a number of dental schools in Toronto. We picked the ones that can provide you with the knowledge and experience to pursue dental health or hygiene in your city.
Top Dental Schools in Toronto
There are a lot of things to consider when you study in dental school. These considerations are the criteria we used in assessing the dental schools in Toronto we included.
How much do dental schools in Toronto cost?
Dental school tuition fees vary depending on the degree or program. Here are the tuition fees for the Dental Hygiene program for the top dental schools in Toronto that we chose.
1. APLUS Institute
| Criteria | Rating |
| Programs offered | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| On-the-job training | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Admissions requirements | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Payment options and assistance programs | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
APLUS Institute has been around since 1996 and became known for its affordable, fully-accredited 18-month Dental Hygiene Program that is recognized throughout Ontario, Canada, and other jurisdictions.
What we liked about the program is that the curriculum has adapted to the dental health practices modern clinics do. Not only do students get to learn it in the classroom, but they also get to apply them firsthand in the institute’s clinic.
The institute also did not disappoint with the facilities they provide. They made sure to use state-of-the-art technology and equipment, a definite plus when the students are practicing modern methods to dental health.
Their admissions process is similar to those of state colleges in Toronto. Their Admissions Committee selects candidates based on their high school or college academic record, Pre-Admission Aptitude Test (PAAT) scores (if applicable), letter(s) of recommendation, and admission interview results.
Students with an over 70% overall academic average calculated on Eng (Grade 12), Bio (Grade 11 or 12), and Chem (Grade 11 or 12) can be exempted from the PAAT.
And like any academic institution, it is best to have all your documents prepared for a faster application process.
As for their intake schedules, there’s one every January and July of the year. They regularly update the available slots per intake so you can either apply for the current or apply early for the next one.
What pains us (and our wallets) is the $500 non-refundable early admission deposit fee needed once the Offer of Admission is received. While it is credited to the first semester’s tuition payment, it is still a huge sum considering.
Fortunately, the institute offers an interest-free monthly payment plan and the Ontario Student Assistance Program. They, however, do not have any scholarship programs.
Pros
- Modern-day dental practices taught to students in modern-day facilities
- Regular intakes that accept early application
- Financial assistance programs and interest-free monthly payment plan provided
Cons
- Pricey non-refundable deposit fee
- No scholarship programs
Customer Reviews
“I had the pleasure of attending this dental school and can give a strong recommendation for their professional approach! I went for a career change and didn’t experience any issue with the studying process. The teachers were super supportive to each student.” – Savanna E.
“I recently just graduated with a dental hygiene diploma. I really enjoyed my time in A Plus college! The instructors were very approachable and helpful regarding our difficult program.” – Jeanie T.
2. Liberty Dental Training Centre
| Criteria | Rating |
| Programs offered | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| On-the-job training | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Admissions requirements | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Payment options and assistance programs | N/A |
Liberty Dental Training Centre is a professional training center where dentists can take supplementary courses to ascertain that their skills are at par with Canadian standards.
When students enroll, the centre evaluates them based on their knowledge and experience on dentistry concepts and practices. Then, based on their test scores, they are placed on the university that best fits their knowledge and experience.
Their approach to educating students is different but practical – students are provided lectures and hands-on courses from various dentistry fields. Depending on the program’s duration, students have months to refresh their minds on their field before taking the Assessment of Clinical Skills exam.
The courses are then designed and conducted to answer the student’s questions during the exams or classes.
They also offer dental simulation training for students. This is good as it enables students to practice first before operating on an actual patient.
What’s good about their admissions process is that you only need to fill out the form on their website to sign up for their next course. However, they should be more upfront about the other requirements to apply for the course.
Another thing that they should make accessible is their course fees. This will allow aspiring students to budget their finances or apply for student loans early on.
Pros
- Students are assessed based on their dentistry knowledge before enabling them to pursue further studies
- Dental simulation training offered
Cons
- Should be more upfront with the requirements needed to apply for the course
- Course fees not indicated on their website
Customer Reviews
“I met Dr Ramtin in April 2018. At that time, I was about to hold the handpiece after 8 years!
Dr Ramtin understood this and gave his entire might to make me understand the profound concept which I never learnt, though just cursory read. My 1st crown cutting of #16 took 17 hours! yes 17 hours, 10 hours the 1st day and 7 hours in continuation the next day. And the preparation was no where near to any worldly standards. Dr Ramtin did see positive in that disfigured preparation too and boosted my morale up. Just coz of his motivation, now I do the crown prep of #16 in 17 minutes. All thanks to him and his patience.
He taught me numerous times and at one time stayed with me in the training center till 23:30.
He is a dedicated teacher and a wonderful person. I know, that if anyone is in the same boat as me, and it’s been a while that you have put fingers/hands in the dental stimulation. LIBERTY DENTAL TRAINING CENTER is the gateway.
I wish Dr Ramtin and his team all the very best in all his endeavors.” – Raminder C.
“Expert and experienced instructors,real mock exams with infection control ,Practice time management,stress management are the most important things I experienced in this center.” – Nafiseh F.
3. George Brown College
| Criteria | Rating |
| Programs offered | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| On-the-job training | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Admissions requirements | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Payment options and assistance programs | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
George Brown College’s Dental Hygiene program is a three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma that enables students to have field experience.
There are various reasons why this college is on our list and one of which is the way their field experience progresses. The college has the WAVE clinic where students can see and practice their lessons.
What we liked about the field experience their program has is its natural progression. They are given opportunities to build their confidence in their skills before conducting clinical practices on people.
Students practice first on mannequins during the first and second semesters. In semesters three to six, students are slowly introduced to handling real clients in the college’s clinic.
When students graduate, they are also given the opportunity to further their studies. They can apply for the Restorative Dental Hygiene program where they will be taught advanced restorative procedures.
Another thing we liked is the flexibility of their admissions requirements. Grades 11 and 12 students need only to present their school diploma or their grade card showing that they have an average of 70% or higher each in their math, chemistry, biology, and English subjects.
Students aged 19 and above with no diploma need only to take the Admissions Assessment or earn credits in math, english, or science to have a shot in the program.
Another advantage to this school is their scholarships and financial assistance for students. Students can apply to either as long as they have the requirements for each.
What they can improve on, and students agree with this too, is their system or process, particularly for those who wish to shift to a different course. By doing so, it will be easier for students who wish to shift to the dental program.
Pros
- The most affordable out of all the listed schools
- Natural progression of their field experience
Cons
- System or process in shifting courses needs improvement
Customer Reviews
“Good to get enrolled in some specialized classes. Best teaching staff . Thank you.” – Simpson W.
“Quite a good college, I studied here at 2009 and really satisfied with the faculty and equipment around. It was an amazing start to my career path.” – Steve A.
4. Southern Ontario Dental College
| Criteria | Rating |
| Programs offered | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| On-the-job training | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Admissions requirements | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Payment options and assistance programs | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Southern Ontario Dental College prepares aspiring students to learn a new field or round out their current skillset. Their programs offered provide the curriculum and training students need to excel in the dental health field.
The college offers three major programs, a 22-month Dental Hygiene Program, a 10-month Dental Assisting Program, and their highly useful Innovative Education packages that can help upskill your dental health or dental assisting skills.
Another good thing about the college’s programs is the opportunity to practice what they’ve learned in actual situations. Students throughout the program of their choice are exposed to different scenarios and different people where they have to address their dental concerns.
Admissions-wise, aspiring students are required to submit an application form and pay a non-refundable $250 application fee.
Apart from the form, the college looks for documents such as a transcript of records from your secondary or college-level education, a personal statement, and a letter of recommendation from a science instructor, counselor, employer, or advisor. An interview and exam are conducted as well.
Students have the option to apply for an Ontario Student Assistance Program. This is helpful for those who wish to pursue their program but are currently experiencing financial challenges.
Unfortunately, there are no other financial assistance programs offered by the college.
Pros
- Useful Innovative Education package to upskill learnings in dental hygiene and dental assisting
- Extensive programs for dental hygiene and dental assisting
Cons
- $250 application fee may deter others from applying
Customer Reviews
“Student to teacher ratio is 6:1 in the clinic. All students that completed the program and passed the board exams are employed and doing well.” – Roland E.
“Very good.” – Leonor R.
FAQs
That concludes our top dental schools in Toronto.
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