Dentistry is a solid career choice in Canada if you're prepared for the financial and time investment. Dentists earn well—general practitioners typically make $140,000–$180,000 per year, while specialists can exceed $250,000. The profession offers high autonomy, predictable hours compared to physicians, and strong job security because dental care is essential and largely recession-resistant. The downside is the barrier to entry. Canadian dental schools require a bachelor's degree plus four years of dental training, meaning most graduates are 26–28 before they start earning. Tuition alone runs $200,000–$400,000 depending on the school (University of Toronto and UBC are particularly expensive). You'll carry significant debt in your early 30s, which affects cashflow even on a dentist's salary. Geography matters. Urban markets like Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa are saturated with practices, so new graduates often associate for several years before buying into a practice or opening their own. Smaller cities and rural areas offer faster ownership opportunities and sometimes higher effective earnings due to less competition. Provincial fee guides and insurance reimbursement rates vary—Alberta and Ontario historically have better economics than Quebec or the Maritimes. From a business perspective, dentistry is one of the few healthcare fields where you can own the enterprise. Many dentists build practices worth $800,000–$2 million and sell them at retirement, creating an exit asset most professionals lack. That said, you're running a small business with staff, equipment leases, and regulatory compliance—not just practicing clinically. Ottawa SEO works with dozens of dental practices across Canada, and we see consistent search demand regardless of economic conditions. Dentists who treat their practice as a business and invest in patient acquisition—whether through SEO, Google Ads, or referral systems—do measurably better than those who rely on walk-ins. If you're entrepreneurial and okay with delayed gratification, dentistry offers financial stability and independence. If you hate business or can't stomach six-figure debt, explore other healthcare paths.