Canadian Dental Programs for International Dentists: Degree-Completion List, Cost, Requirements

  • Dr. T
  • October 14, 2026
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Canada for international dentists · Updated October 2026

Canadian Dental Programs for International Dentists: Degree-Completion List, Cost and Requirements

As of October 2026, eight Canadian dental schools have a route for graduates of non-accredited programs: Toronto, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Western, McGill, Dalhousie, Montréal and (rarely) Laval. UBC and Manitoba have paused theirs. Every program requires Canadian citizenship or permanent residence, most require the ADAT, and published costs run from about CAD 88,000 a year to CAD 294,000 in total. Below, The Study Boards team lists each program from the school’s own website, then explains the NDEB Equivalency Process, the route that needs no degree.

8schools with an open route
2programs paused (UBC, Manitoba)
6programs that ask for the ADAT
2 to 3 yrstypical program length

Comparison tableProgram by programCostRequirementsDeadlinesEquivalency routeWhich route?Our full planFAQ
How The Study Boards helps you with Canadian programs

Your test score is the first filter, and that is what we train

Six of these programs shortlist on the ADAT, and Montréal, the bridge program and the Equivalency Process use the AFK. The Study Boards ADAT course has 13 sequenced sections, faculty-created Master Files, full simulation exams and a live test every night at 9 PM New York time; our AFK course adds 12 sequenced sections and Master Files with 20,000+ exam-relevant points.2425 Both courses are extremely personalised: red lines and assignments are given to you on the go, the course learns from the way you are studying, and faculty led by Dr. T and Dr. Kaur are there to assist you. US-licensed dentists, not AI, answer your questions. See the ADAT course blueprint.

The basics

Two ways in: a degree program or the NDEB exams

If your dental degree is from a program not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), the NDEB gives you two main pathways to certification.1

Degree

Qualifying or degree-completion programYou join an accredited Canadian dental program for 2 to 3 years and graduate with a Canadian DDS or DMD. Graduates then take the NDEB Virtual OSCE like any Canadian graduate.1

Exams

NDEB Equivalency ProcessYou pass three NDEB assessments (AFK, ACJ, NDECC), then the Virtual OSCE. No tuition, but a long exam sequence. Since 1 July 2026 a new bridge program can replace the NDECC.118

For the full picture, including licensing and immigration costs, see how to become a dentist in Canada.

At a glance

Comparison table: every program, October 2026

Checked on each school’s own website. CAD. Scroll sideways on a phone.

School and program Length Seats Test Cost (CAD) Apply Status
University of Toronto
IDAPP		 6 months + DDS years 3 and 4 24 ADAT About 181,656 tuition2 1 Apr to 2 Jul Open
University of Alberta
DDS Advanced Placement		 3 years (joins year 2) 20 admitted in 2025 ADAT (AFK not accepted) About 293,808 total3 1 Jul to 1 Nov Open
University of Saskatchewan
IDDP		 2 years (joins year 3) Up to 10 ADAT Year 1: 87,889 (SK) or 122,558 (out of province)4 1 Aug to 1 Oct 2027-28 closed
Western University
ASPIDG		 3 years (joins year 2) Up to 20 ADAT (AFK not considered) 57,680 tuition a year (2026-27) + fees; 4,500 bench test56 1 Sep to 1 Nov Open
McGill University
DMD Advanced Standing		 3 years (joins year 2) Varies; 10 admitted in 2026 ADAT + CASPer; French B2 Set by McGill fee tables7 Jan to 1 Mar 2027 Opens Jan 2027
Dalhousie University
DDS Qualifying Program		 3 years Up to 6 ADAT 550+ See Dalhousie fee schedule10 15 Oct 2026 to 15 Jan 2027 Open
Université de Montréal
DMD, year 2 entry		 Joins year 2 (taught in French) Not published AFK passed Quebec tuition rates12 By 1 Nov 2026 Open
Université Laval
DMD, year 2 entry		 Joins year 2 Only if a place frees up DAT (TAED) + CASPer Not published for this route13 With DMD cycle Rare
UBC
IDDCP		 Not accepting applications “until further notice”. Internationally trained dentists with citizenship or PR can apply to the regular 4-year DMD.14 Paused
University of Manitoba
IDDP		 The university’s academic calendar says “Admission temporarily suspended.”15 Suspended
ACFD bridge (BTDPC)
Alberta, Dalhousie, Laval		 Up to 8 months (not a degree) Up to 10 per site AFK + ACJ passed 30,000 tuition + 1,500 in fees16 Next dates not announced Pilot
The rule every program sharesAll of these programs require Canadian citizenship or permanent residence by the application deadline. International students on a study permit cannot apply.2312 Seats are few: the published numbers add up to roughly 90 places a year across the English-language programs.

Details

Program by program

Tap a school for its length, selection steps and the details that change your plan.

University of Toronto: International Dentist Advanced Placement Program (IDAPP)

Eligibility: a four-year non-accredited dental degree, GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, citizenship or PR by 2 July, and the ADAT taken within three years of the deadline (highest score used).2

English: TOEFL iBT 100 with 22 in writing, or IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (other tests listed by the school).

Timeline: apply 1 April to 2 July; shortlisted applicants are invited in September for an October interview; decisions by email in mid-November; the IDAPP runs January to June and the DDS starts in August.

Cost: about CAD 90,656 for the 6-month IDAPP, 45,000 for DDS year 3 and 46,000 for year 4. A CAD 2,000 deposit holds your place. The school calls it a self-funded program.

University of Alberta: DDS Advanced Placement

Eligibility: a four-year non-accredited dental degree, citizenship or PR by 1 November, and ADAT scores no older than five years. The school says it no longer accepts the AFK.3

English: both English Language Proficiency and Spoken English Proficiency, for example IELTS Academic 7.5 in speaking, or TOEFL iBT 5.0 in speaking for tests from 21 January 2026. TOEFL Home Edition is not accepted for Fall 2027.

Selection: virtual Multiple Mini Interview (CAD 175 fee) in December or January, then an in-person pre-entry exam (CAD 2,500), tentatively 12 to 21 February 2027.

Cost by year: tuition 75,035, 75,035 and 68,758, plus non-instructional fees and instrument rental (about 22,000 to 23,000 a year).

University of Saskatchewan: International Dental Degree Program (IDDP)

Eligibility: a non-accredited dental degree, citizenship or PR on the application date, and the ADAT within three years.4

Selection: shortlisting by ADAT score, then a 3-day on-site Assessment of Clinical Skills (60%) and panel interview (40%).

Cost, year 1 (2027-28 guide): CAD 87,888.66 for Saskatchewan residents or 122,557.66 for others, including tuition, program fee and equipment.

Timing: applications ran 1 August to 1 October 2026 for 2027-28 entry, so that cycle is closed.

Western University: Advanced Standing Program for International Dental Graduates (ASPIDG)

Eligibility: a degree from a four-year university dental program, citizenship or PR by the deadline, ADAT results within three years (AFK scores are not considered), and a WES course-by-course (ICAP) evaluation.5 Not sure which evaluation to order? Read WES or ECE.

English: IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 88 with 20 in each section.

Timeline: apply 1 September to 1 November (CAD 375 fee); bench test in early December; top performers get a virtual interview in February; offers in late February; start in September.

Cost: Western’s 2026-27 tuition schedule lists CAD 57,680 for each of years 2, 3 and 4, plus ancillary and supplementary fees.6

McGill University: DMD Advanced Standing for Foreign Trained Dentists

Eligibility: a non-accredited dental degree; Quebec resident, Canadian citizen or PR; the ADAT (1 to 10 March 2027, or a 2025 or 2026 result); CASPer; TOEFL 90 or IELTS 6.5; and French at B2 level.8

Selection: a preliminary score (ADAT 70%, CASPer 20%, CV 10%) for shortlisting, then a manual dexterity test worth 60% of the admission score.9

Timeline: applications for 2027-28 open in January 2027 and close on 1 March.78 Tuition is set in McGill’s student accounts fee tables, plus a yearly equipment and materials fee.

Dalhousie University: DDS Qualifying Program

Eligibility: a non-accredited dental degree, citizenship or PR by 15 January 2027, and an ADAT from a single sitting within three years with at least 550 overall and in the clinical component.10

English: IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, TOEFL 90 with no band below 20, or Duolingo 120 (other tests listed).

Timeline: the application (CAD 125) opens 15 October 2026 and closes 15 January 2027. About 15 to 25 shortlisted applicants attend a one-day interview and pre-clinical assessment in April or May; decisions come in May or June.

Université de Montréal: DMD with year 2 entry (in French)

Eligibility: a dental degree from a non-accredited program, Canadian citizenship or PR, and a passed NDEB AFK (score of 75, valid five years, passed by the deadline). If your degree is more than five years old, you need recent clinical work or study.12

Selection: AFK result first (50%), then an in-person interview in French and possibly a practical exam (50% together). Places are limited and depend on availability.

Timeline: for Fall 2027, apply by 1 November 2026. This is the one degree route that uses the AFK, so read our guide to AFK study materials.

Université Laval: DMD with year 2 entry

Laval admits graduates of non-accredited programs to year 2 only “si une place se libère” (if a place frees up). Applicants need Canadian citizenship and Quebec permanent resident status, the Canadian Dental Aptitude Test (TAED) and CASPer.13 Laval is also the French-language site of the ACFD bridge program.

UBC and Manitoba: paused programs

UBC: the 2026-27 academic calendar says the Faculty is not accepting applications to the International Dental Degree Completion Program (IDDCP) “at this time until further notice”. Citizens and PR holders may apply to the full 4-year DMD instead.14

Manitoba: the University of Manitoba academic calendar lists the D.M.D. International Dentists Degree Program as “Admission temporarily suspended”.15 Check with the college before you plan around it.

ACFD Bridge Training to Dental Practice in Canada (BTDPC)
Up to 8 monthsfull time, in person
Up to 10per site, one intake a year
CAD 30,000tuition

Run by the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry at Alberta, Dalhousie (English) and Laval (French). You need citizenship or PR, a passed AFK and ACJ within 60 months of the deadline, and you must not have passed the NDECC yet.17 Fees: CAD 500 application, CAD 1,000 pre-entry assessment, CAD 30,000 tuition.16

Since 1 July 2026, BTDPC graduates can apply to the NDEB Certification Process without passing the NDECC.18 It is a pilot running through January 2028, and applications for the second cohort closed on 28 February 2026. More in our bridge training guide.

Money

What degree completion costs in Canada

Published school figures in CAD. Living costs, loupes, books and exam fees come on top.

The table above gives each school’s published figure. In round numbers, a full program costs about CAD 173,000 to 182,000 in tuition at Western and Toronto, about CAD 294,000 in total at Alberta, and about CAD 88,000 to 123,000 for year 1 at Saskatchewan. The ACFD bridge costs about CAD 31,500. McGill, Dalhousie, Montréal and Laval set fees in general university fee tables, so ask the admissions office for the exact figure for your residency status.234616

Plan the application costs tooAdd the ADAT, an English test, credential evaluation, application fees (CAD 125 to 375) and selection fees: Alberta’s pre-entry exam is CAD 2,500, Western’s bench test CAD 4,500 and Saskatchewan’s clinical assessment CAD 1,500.345 Applying to three programs can cost several thousand dollars before you get one offer.

Requirements

Requirements: what almost every program asks for

Citizenship or PRRequired by every program and by the bridge, usually by the application deadline. McGill also accepts recognised Quebec residents; Laval needs Quebec permanent resident status.
The ADAT, not the AFKSix programs use the ADAT. Alberta and Western say they do not accept or consider the AFK; Montréal is the exception.35
Hands, English and interviewsAlberta, Saskatchewan, Western, McGill and Dalhousie test clinical skills on a simulator (see our bench test guide). Most want IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 88 to 100 (see our TOEFL course for dentists). Most interview, and McGill and Laval use CASPer (see our CASPer guide). Quebec programs also need French.

Calendar

Application deadlines, in date order

By 1 Nov 2026Université de MontréalFall 2027 entry; AFK must already be passed.
1 Sep to 1 NovWesternBench test in early December.
1 Jul to 1 NovAlbertaADAT, English and documents all due 1 November.
15 Oct 2026 to 15 Jan 2027DalhousieCitizenship or PR needed by 15 January 2027.
Jan 2027 to 1 Mar 2027McGillADAT sitting 1 to 10 March 2027, or a 2025 or 2026 score.
1 Apr to 2 JulTorontoADAT must be written by 2 July.
1 Aug to 1 OctSaskatchewanThe 2026 window for 2027-28 entry has closed.

Because the ADAT is only offered from 1 March to 31 August each year (as Alberta notes), sit it in spring so your score reaches every school in time.3 See our guide to the ADAT and Canadian degree programs.

The alternative

The NDEB Equivalency Process: AFK, ACJ, NDECC, Virtual OSCE

No degree, no tuition, but four exams in a fixed order. The NDEB pathway page does not list citizenship or PR as a condition for the Equivalency Process.1

Apply to the NDEB (CAD 900)A one-time, non-refundable application fee.19
AFK (CAD 1,000)200 single-answer questions in two 2-hour parts; pass mark 75; maximum three attempts. Next sitting 5 February 2027.20 Start with our NDEB AFK exam guide.
ACJ (CAD 1,350)120 to 150 single- and multi-answer questions over 5.5 hours, with radiographs, photographs and case histories. You must pass the AFK first; maximum three attempts.21
NDECC (CAD 6,500)A clinical skills component and a situational judgement component, after passing the ACJ. You have five years to pass both; from May 2027, candidates who have not done so in five years stop being Equivalency candidates.22
Virtual OSCE (CAD 1,750), then certification and licence200 questions (50 single-answer and 150 case-based); maximum three attempts. Then NDEB certification and your provincial licence.23
Application900
AFK1,000
ACJ1,350
NDECC (both components)6,500
Virtual OSCE1,750
NDEB fees, first attempt at each (CAD)11,500

From the NDEB fee pages.1923 Excludes certification and licensing fees, retakes, travel and preparation.

The bridge shortcutIf you are a citizen or PR and have passed the AFK and ACJ, the ACFD bridge program (up to 8 months) now lets you go straight to the Virtual OSCE without the NDECC.18 For the Equivalency Process in detail, read the NDEB Equivalency Process, step by step.

Your situation

Which route fits you?

Tap the line that sounds most like you.

Choose an option above.
Degree completion

  • Sit the ADAT in spring and aim well above Dalhousie’s 550 minimum; McGill’s 2026 admits averaged 578.5.
  • Apply to several programs in one cycle: Montréal and Alberta/Western in autumn, Dalhousie by January, McGill by March, Toronto by July.
  • Practise for the bench test and interview while you wait for invitations.
Equivalency Process first

  • The degree programs and the bridge all need citizenship or PR, so start with the NDEB exams.
  • Begin with the AFK. It is also the score Montréal and the bridge program use later.
  • If you are open to the US, that route does not need Canadian PR: see BDS or MDS to DDS/DMD and The Study Boards INBDE course.
Bridge program or NDECC

  • Watch the ACFD site for the next BTDPC intake; your AFK and ACJ must be within 60 months of its deadline.
  • If you are not selected, the NDECC remains your route to the Virtual OSCE.
French-language options

  • Université de Montréal (AFK required) and McGill (ADAT, French B2).
  • The bridge program at Laval is taught in French, though Laval says English is still required for now.

We teach the ADAT and AFK

How to prepare: our full plan

Whichever route you choose, a test score opens the first door. These are the two courses that cover them.

ADAT

The Study Boards ADAT courseFor Toronto, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Western, McGill and Dalhousie:

  • 13 sequenced sections, Beginner or Advanced Beginner pace
  • Master Files, subject and cumulative tests, full simulation exams
  • Biostatistics and research section for the data part of the ADAT
  • Live test every night at 9 PM New York time

See the ADAT Course Blueprint

AFK

Our AFK courseFor the Equivalency Process, Montréal and the bridge program:

  • 12 sequenced sections, Master Files with 20,000+ points
  • Grand Tests and a nightly live test at 9 PM New York time
  • Pass Guarantee for students who meet the course benchmark
  • US-licensed dentists answer your questions

See the AFK Course Blueprint

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Which Canadian dental schools accept international dentists?
As of October 2026: Toronto (IDAPP), Alberta (DDS Advanced Placement), Saskatchewan (IDDP), Western (ASPIDG), McGill (DMD Advanced Standing), Dalhousie (DDS Qualifying Program) and Université de Montréal (year 2 entry), with Laval taking year 2 applicants only when a place frees up. UBC’s IDDCP is not accepting applications and Manitoba’s IDDP admission is suspended.
What is a qualifying program in dentistry in Canada?
It is an accredited program run by a Canadian dental faculty for graduates of non-accredited dental programs. You complete 2 to 3 years of the DDS or DMD and graduate with a Canadian degree, which makes you eligible for the NDEB Certification Process.
Can I apply from outside Canada without PR?
No. Every degree-completion program and the ACFD bridge require Canadian citizenship or permanent residence, usually by the application deadline. Without PR, the NDEB Equivalency Process is the route to start with.
Do Canadian degree-completion programs accept the AFK instead of the ADAT?
Mostly no. Toronto, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Western, McGill and Dalhousie ask for the ADAT, and Alberta and Western say they do not accept or consider the AFK. Université de Montréal is the exception: it requires a passed AFK.
Which is cheaper: a degree program or the Equivalency Process?
The Equivalency Process. NDEB fees for a first attempt at each step add up to about CAD 11,500, against roughly CAD 170,000 to 294,000 in tuition and fees for a degree program. The degree route gives you a Canadian degree and supervised clinical training; the exam route depends on passing the NDECC or getting into the bridge program.
How does The Study Boards help international dentists get into a Canadian program?
Our ADAT course prepares you for the test six of these programs shortlist on, and our AFK course covers the AFK used by Montréal, the bridge and the Equivalency Process. Both include full-length tests and a live test every night at 9 PM New York time, with US-licensed dentists answering your questions.

Not sure which Canadian route fits your profile?

Send us your status (PR or not), your degree year and any scores you have. Our Admin Team with Dr. T and Dr. Kaur will contact you over WhatsApp.

Message the Admin Team on WhatsApp

Become a dentist in CanadaThree pathways and their costs AFK study materialsOur modules, test series and NDEB resources ADAT and Canadian degree programsGuide for Indian dentists Practise dentistry in CanadaFor Indian dentists, 2026

References

  1. NDEB. Entry to practice: graduates of non-accredited dental programs. ndeb-bned.ca
  2. University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry. International Dentist Advanced Placement Program (IDAPP). dentistry.utoronto.ca
  3. University of Alberta, Mike Petryk School of Dentistry. DDS Advanced Placement. ualberta.ca
  4. University of Saskatchewan, College of Dentistry. IDDP Admissions Information Guide 2027-2028. admissions.usask.ca (PDF)
  5. Western University, Schulich Medicine and Dentistry. Advanced Standing Program for International Dental Graduates. schulich.uwo.ca
  6. Western University, Office of the Registrar. 2026-27 Program-Specific Tuition Fees. registrar.uwo.ca (PDF)
  7. McGill University. DMD Advanced Standing for Foreign Trained Dentists. mcgill.ca
  8. McGill University. DMD Advanced Standing: Requirements. mcgill.ca
  9. McGill University. DMD Advanced Standing: Selection Process. mcgill.ca
  10. Dalhousie University. Academic Calendar 2026/2027: DDS Qualifying Program. academiccalendar.dal.ca
  11. Dalhousie University, Faculty of Dentistry. Programs. dal.ca
  12. Université de Montréal. Doctorat de 1er cycle en médecine dentaire: admission. admission.umontreal.ca
  13. Université Laval. Doctorat en médecine dentaire: admission. ulaval.ca
  14. UBC Academic Calendar 2026/27. Faculty of Dentistry, DMD: Admission (IDDCP not accepting applications). vancouver.calendar.ubc.ca
  15. University of Manitoba Academic Calendar. Dental Medicine, D.M.D. International Dentists Degree Program (IDDP). catalog.umanitoba.ca
  16. Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD). BTDPC: About the program (fees, seats, length). acfd.ca
  17. ACFD. Bridge Training to Dental Practice in Canada: eligibility and sites. acfd.ca
  18. NDEB. New entry-to-practice pathway for internationally trained dentists, 25 June 2026. ndeb-bned.ca
  19. NDEB. Equivalency Process fees. ndeb-bned.ca
  20. NDEB. Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge. ndeb-bned.ca
  21. NDEB. Assessment of Clinical Judgement. ndeb-bned.ca
  22. NDEB. NDECC. ndeb-bned.ca
  23. NDEB. Virtual OSCE. ndeb-bned.ca
  24. The Study Boards. ADAT Premium Boards course blueprint. parmjitllc.com
  25. The Study Boards. AFK Premium Boards course blueprint. parmjitllc.com

Current as of October 2026. Tuition, seats and deadlines change every year; confirm with each school before you apply. We are not affiliated with the NDEB, the ACFD or any university listed.

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