Historical Trends: Canadian Dental Hygienist Jobs

Changes in Job Postings & Demand

Overall Demand

Current Unemployment Rate1%

Key Factors:

Post-2019 Recruiting Challenges
Labor Shortages in Multiple Provinces

Regional Shortages

Vancouver Island, BC

more job openings than workers

2021-2023

Quebec

1400 unfilled positions

2023-2024

Economic & Health Events Impact

Alberta's 2015 Recession

Briefly tempered new hiring

COVID-19 Pandemic

Short-lived industry contraction in 2020
One-third of Canadians deferred dental care
Hiring spike in late 2020-2021
Early retirements and career changes

Shifts in Required Skills & Certifications

Advanced Technologies

Laser Dentistry

Moved from niche to mainstream

Laser certification/experience increasingly required
Emphasized in continuing ed programs

Digital Imaging & CAD/CAM

Intraoral scanners
Digital x-rays
3D imaging

AI-Driven Tools

Supporting diagnosis and treatment planning

Tech-savvy hygienists needed

Teledentistry & Remote Care

Status:Growing Acceptance

Required Skills:

Video patient coaching
Remote screening management
Electronic health records documentation

Expanded Clinical Duties

Clinical Procedures

Local Anesthesia
Temporary Restorations
SDF Applications

Especially valued in Alberta

Specialized Services

Orthodontic duties
Restorative hygiene
Independent practice capabilities

Infection Control & Safety

Post-COVID heightened protocols

Required Knowledge:

N95 fit-testing
Sterilization monitoring
Air filtration

Market Influencers

Regulatory Changes & Licensing

Independent Practice

Alberta (2006): Removed supervision requirements
Ontario (2007): Allows self-initiation
Quebec (2020): Independent hygiene services law

Licensing Requirements:

Accredited college programs
National board exams

Current Initiatives:

Fast-tracking immigration for international professionals
Quebec expanding training programs

Economic Conditions

Characteristics:

Partially recession-resistant

COVID-19 Impact:

Initial: Closures and job losses in 2020

Recovery: Demand surge by 2021

Backlogged appointments
Shrinking workforce

Wage Growth:

Historical: 2-3%

Current: 5%+ in some regions

Demographics

Aging population increasing preventive/periodontal care needs
More seniors keeping teeth longer
26% of hygienists over age 50 approaching retirement

Public Health Policy

Federal Dental Care Plan (CDCP)

Period: 2024-2025

Will increase demand significantly

Provincial Programs

Ontario seniors' dental care
Quebec coverage expansion

Future Projections (Next 5-10 Years)

Wage Projections

Regional Growth Outlook

Top Cities (Calgary/Vancouver)

Expected to reach $60-65/hr medians

Quebec & Atlantic Provinces

May catch up somewhat, raising wages to attract or retain talent

Rural & Northern Areas

May continue facing chronic under-service unless incentives are offered

Demand Forecast

Strong shortage risk nationally through at least 2033

Key Drivers:

CDCP rollout bringing new patients into the system
Aging population requiring more care
Retiring hygienists creating sustained workforce gaps

Job Market Dynamics

Expect a job-seekers' market to continue
New grads and experienced RDHs should have multiple offers
Independent clinics may proliferate
Technological innovation unlikely to reduce hands-on need

Implications for Employers & Dental Practices

Recruitment Strategies

Competitive Compensation

Higher starting wages
Signing bonuses
Relocation assistance

Benefits Package

87% of hygienists receive some form of benefits

Extended health
Dental
Paid sick leave

Retention Best Practices

Reasonable workloads
Positive office culture
Formal contracts
Continuing education support
Modern equipment investment

Workplace Innovations

Team hygiene approach
Temp agency utilization
Scope expansion support

Implications for Hygienists & Students

Career Opportunities

Job Market Leverage

1% unemployment enables negotiation power

Geographic Considerations

Alberta & BC: Higher pay, higher cost of living
Quebec & Atlantic: Rising wages, new practice laws

Required Skill Development

Laser dentistry
Local anesthesia
Orthodontic procedures
Restorative certifications
Digital technology proficiency

Career Path Options

Clinical practice
Education
Management
Independent practice
Public health
Community clinics

Methodology & Data Sources

Data Sources

Statistics Canada & Federal Job Bank

Wage medians
Employment figures
Shortage projections

CDHA Surveys

Period: 2013-2023

Comprehensive wage and employment surveys

Industry Aggregators

Indeed
Glassdoor
Talent.com
Livingin-Canada

Analysis Methods

Historical Data Analysis

Compared wages from 2013 vs 2023, cited in CDHA and cross-referenced with livingin-canada.com

Limitations: Some data gaps in earlier years

Job Demand Assessment

Relied on government labor market ratings, unemployment rates, and reported clinic shortages

Limitations: Regional reporting variations may affect accuracy

Future Projections

Reasoned estimates (3-5% wage growth) informed by recent trends and official shortage messages

Limitations: Economic shifts or policy changes may alter forecasts

Study Limitations

Survey Response Bias

May underrepresent non-CDHA members

Regional Gaps

Less data for smaller provinces/territories

Projection Uncertainty

Economic shifts or policy changes may alter forecasts

Conclusion

Canada's dental hygiene profession stands at a pivotal moment with upward wage trends, record-high demand, and expanding scope of practice.

Key Points

Ongoing wage growth expected
Excellent employment prospects
Expanding scope of practice
Strong future outlook

Stakeholder Implications

For Employers:

Must adapt with competitive packages and supportive workplaces

For Hygienists:

Can expect wealth of opportunities and strong earning potential

Canadian Dental Hygienist Historical Trends Report

Historical Salary Trends

National Wage Trends

Provincial Variations

Key Insights