How Much Do Dentists Make in Ontario? A Simple 2024 Income Guide

You want straight numbers. You want plain words. You want to see if being a dentist in Ontario pays okay. This guide is for you. You’ll see how much dentists make at every step. You’ll see what makes income go up or down. You’ll also learn easy ways to make more money and spend less. Read on—your work and your pay matter.

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Why Knowing Your Pay Matters
• What’s the Average Dentist Pay in Ontario for 2024?
• Median vs Average: Why They Both Count
• How Much Do New Dentists Make in Ontario?
• What Changes Dentist Pay?
• Do Specialist Dentists Earn More?
• Associate vs Owner: Who Brings in More?
• Where in Ontario Do Dentists Get Paid the Most?
• How Do Hours and Patient Numbers Affect Pay?
• How Does Overhead Eat Into Pay?
• Should You Become a Dentist in Ontario?
• Ontario vs Other Jobs and Provinces
• How to Make More Money This Year
• Real Stories and Real Numbers
• Words You Might Search For
• Conclusion and Simple Action Steps
• FAQ (Optional)
• Quick Points to Remember
• References and Expert Check

Introduction: Why Knowing Your Pay Matters

Money isn’t everything. But it shapes your life. You have bills to pay. You might still pay off student loans. You want a home or maybe a family. You want to retire one day. So you need clear info about dentist pay in Ontario.

Problem: Most websites throw out random numbers. Some talk about money before business costs, some after. A lot leave out big things like rent and taxes. It’s confusing.

Agitate: You spent years in dental school. Paid lots in tuition. You start work and your debt just sits there. Overhead seems to empty your wallet every month. And you can’t help but wonder if you picked the right job.

Solution: In this guide I break down pay in clear words. I show what numbers you can count on. You’ll see smart ways to earn more and cut waste. I’ll show you good tools and helpers to use now.

What’s the Average Dentist Pay in Ontario for 2024?

Most regular dentists in Ontario make between $150,000 and $350,000 a year before paying business costs. The “middle” (the median) is around $200,000 to $250,000. Some make less. Some make much more. Where you work, what you do, and how long you’ve worked all matter.

Remember: “Gross” pay is the money you bring in before costs. “Net” pay is what you keep after costs. If you own a dental office you might have a big gross number but pay out a lot for rent, team pay, supplies, insurance, and ads.

Simple table to help:

These numbers are from Ontario Dental Association info, job boards, and dentist surveys. What you make will depend on your area, patient numbers, and what jobs you do.

Median vs Average: Why They Both Count

Average numbers can get pulled high if a few people make a lot more. The median shows the “middle.” Half make more, half make less. For dentists, median is usually more real than average.

If average is $230,000 and median is $210,000, plan using the median. It’s safer. You can try to beat it later. You can boost the value of your work, see more patients, and get patients to say yes more.

How Much Do New Dentists Make in Ontario?

If you’re just starting (0 to 3 years), you might make $100,000 to $180,000 before costs. Most start as an associate. Pay is usually a slice of what you bring in, like 40–50% (before paying lab fees). Sometimes you get a day-rate in smaller towns when clinics need extra hands.

As you get faster and better, you’ll grow your patient list. You’ll learn to do root canals, crowns, and more. Pay goes up as you do harder jobs. The first years set the tone. Build good habits: watch your hourly rate, work on your case accept rate, and get to know the area dentists.

What Changes Dentist Pay?

Many things matter for your pay. Here are big ones:

• Specializing: Orthodontists, endodontists, periodontists, prosthodontists, kids’ dentists (pediatric), and oral surgeons usually make more than general dentists.
• How you work: Associates get a portion; owners carry more costs but can keep more if run well. Corporate jobs can be steady but private practice can pay more if you’re smart.
• Location: Big cities like Toronto and Mississauga mean more demand—but also higher rent and wages. Smaller places sometimes pay a bigger cut since there’s less competition.
• Time on the job: More years means better skills and speed.
• Hours and patient numbers: Working more can mean more money, but working smart helps, too.
• Overhead: Staff, rent, labs, supplies, insurance, and ads all lower take-home pay.
• Insurance and fee guides: The Ontario Dental Association’s fee guide shapes what you can bill.
• How you run your office: Training your team and having good systems keeps your numbers healthy.

Do Specialist Dentists Earn More?

Most times, yes. Here’s what specialists might bring in per year (gross):

• Orthodontist: $250,000 to $500,000+
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: $300,000 to $800,000+
• Endodontist: $200,000 to $450,000
• Periodontist: $200,000 to $400,000
• Pediatric Dentist: $180,000 to $350,000
• Prosthodontist: $180,000 to $380,000
• Public Health Dentist: Steady pay set by employer with good benefits

You need more training for these jobs. The work can get more complex and sometimes pays better. But even as a general dentist, you can boost pay by learning new higher-value skills.

Associate vs Owner: Who Brings in More?

An associate might make $120,000 to $250,000 before costs. They have less risk. Just focus on care, don’t worry about payroll. Good for learning and getting faster.

Practice owners can keep $250,000 to $600,000+ after costs. Owners also pay more bills. For general offices, overhead can be 50% to 70% of what comes in. That’s for rent, team pay, labs, supplies, insurance, and marketing.

Problem: High costs can eat away what owners keep.

Agitate: You work long, but don’t keep much. Bills and cash flow aren’t easy.

Solution: Get your office running smooth. Cut supply and lab fees. Set a schedule that works. Use a good lab to get reliable crowns, implants, and dentures. Cutting remakes and saving chair time lifts your bottom line.

• Try a modern digital dental lab to cut down redos and get work back faster. Saves you time, so you can see an extra patient or take a break.

Where in Ontario Do Dentists Get Paid the Most?

Big numbers come from Toronto and the GTA. But so do big office rents and team wages. There’s more competition. If you market well, work can be steady.

Places like Ottawa, Mississauga, Hamilton, London, Vaughan, Markham, Brampton, Burlington, Kitchener, Guelph, Windsor, and towns up north can also pay well. In rural areas and Northern Ontario you might get a bigger slice and more patients, since there are fewer dentists around. But you might have more travel, and see more emergencies.

Cost of living matters. Earning $300,000 in a big-expense area might feel like $220,000 in your bank. Always add up your real costs—like rent, taxes, daycare—before deciding where to work.

How Do Hours and Patient Numbers Affect Pay?

Time matters. Patient numbers matter. But being efficient matters more. Block schedule similar work together. Have your team handle what they can. Keep missed appointments low by reminding patients and booking their next check-up sooner.

Check your hourly rate. If you’re at $600 an hour, plan your week and month. If you get it up to $750 by tightening your schedule, you just gave yourself a raise—without adding hours.

How Does Overhead Eat Into Pay?

Overhead is what it costs to run your office. Team pay, rent, gear, supplies, lab work, insurance, ads—they all hit your income. Most places see overhead at 50% to 70% of what comes in. How much depends on office size, services, and local pay rates.

Ways to lower costs:

• Staff: Train for speed and teamwork. Pay fair and keep your best people.
• Rent: Shop around. Know if you can get improvements from the landlord.
• Supplies: Use the same suppliers when you can. Watch use and don’t overbuy.
• Lab: Pick a lab with good results and fair prices. A top lab makes you faster and means less redos. Try crown and bridge lab for crowns and bridges, implant dental laboratory for implants, and a trusted denture lab for full and partial dentures.
• Insurance & marketing: Always check if you’re getting the best deal.

Cutting costs means more money in your pocket without working extra.

Should You Become a Dentist in Ontario?

Short answer: For most, yes. You help people, build skills, maybe run a business, and can do well.

But be real: School is expensive—could be $50,000 a year or more. Debt might be with you for years. You need people skills and office smarts. The market is strong but full of dentists. You have to keep learning.

Problem: Debt and worry about the future.

Agitate: You see friends working and earning sooner, with less debt. You pull long days as a starter.

Solution: Make a plan. Get training that helps you do more valuable work. Learn implants or root canals if they fit. Watch your costs. Use a digital dental lab to move cases fast and easy. Track what you make and spend every week so you see improvement.

Ontario vs Other Jobs and Provinces

People ask if dentists make more than doctors. It depends—some doctors in private clinics make more, others less. It comes down to hours, costs, and pay setups. Sometimes, a well-run dental office can beat doctor pay and let you have a life outside work.

Compared to Alberta or BC: Alberta often pays well because fees are higher and demand is strong. BC can be good, but the cost of living is higher in some spots. Ontario is steady with lots of people and communities. Always check your target city, pay setup, and local costs.

How to Make More Money This Year

Here’s an easy plan to start now:

• Know your numbers: Check your hourly rate, how many people say yes to treatment, and how many come back.
• Block your schedule tight: Do similar jobs together. Remind patients so they don’t skip.
• Raise case value: Take on work you like and can do well—like root canals, clear aligners, implants, crowns.
• Upgrade your lab: Use a digital lab with good scans and strong materials. A quality lab means fewer redos and faster fixes, which saves you money and time.
• Bill right: Follow the Ontario Dental Association price list. Teach your team how insurance works.
• Lower costs: Shop around for rent and supplies. Use labs that have fair prices and good work.

If you want to do more crowns, pick a solid crown and bridge lab. Doing implants? A good implant lab helps you do more and have fewer problems. Doing dentures? A skilled denture lab will save you time and visits.

Real Stories and Real Numbers

Story 1: New Associate in Hamilton

First year at 40% cut: $160,000. Works 4.5 days a week. Does mostly fillings and some easy root canals. After one year, does harder work and clear aligners; pay rises to $210,000 (same workdays). How? Better schedule and help with patient finance.

Story 2: Owner in Ottawa

Gross: $1.1 million. Overhead: 68%. Net: $352,000. Problem: lots of lab redos and long appointments. Switches to digital dental lab for crowns. Reduces redos by 60%, saves 20 minutes per crown, can see one more patient each day. Now nets $410,000—no extra days.

Story 3: Rural Associate in Northern Ontario

Starts with a day rate, then gets 45% of what they bring in. Lots of patients, not many dentists around. First-year pay: $240,000. In second year, starts doing implants and grosses $310,000. Saves up to buy part of the dental office.

Simple Ways a Great Lab Can Help You

A good partner can really help your day. Redos aren’t paid. Sitting with a tricky crown isn’t paid. You get paid for quality that fits right, fast.

• Try a digital dental lab for strong scans and good contacts. Less fitting, more working.
• Crowns and bridges bring in money. A quality crown and bridge lab gives you nice looks and strong fits.
• Implants can raise your pay per case. An implant dental laboratory supports you with guides and strong materials.
• Dentures can take time. A good denture lab saves visits by getting the fit right.

Picking good partners helps your pay and lets you get more done every week.

Ontario Dental Schools, Rules, and Help

You’ll train at University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry or Western University (Schulich Dental School). Tuition is pricey. Plan your loans and budget with care. Use help from government loans.

You need to follow the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario rules. The Ontario Dental Association’s fee guide helps with your fees. The Canadian Dental Association has guides for learning and growing. These groups help you learn, work safe, and grow your career.

Ontario vs Other Places: City Snapshots

• Toronto and GTA: Big market, big rent, lots of need, lots of other dentists.
• Ottawa: Good mix of jobs, lots of insured patients.
• Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham: Fast growing, lots of families needing care.
• Hamilton, Burlington, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Windsor: Good places to grow, steadier costs.
• Rural and up North: Fewer dentists, more patients, sometimes higher pay. Need to like variety and some travel.

Big cities have more courses and referrals. Rural can mean more independence and a faster path to the top.

Taxes, Insurance, and What You Keep

You earn gross. Then pay your costs. Then pay taxes. That’s your “net” income. Think about tax for dentists and which deductions you can take. A CPA who knows dentists can help you with gear write-offs and what you can deduct for learning and insurance.

Practice owners need pro and business insurance. You’ll deal with dental plans for your patients. Know the fee guide and plan rules. Keep your bills collected. Fast income helps your cash flow and net pay.

Quick Comparison: Dentists vs Doctors in Ontario

Lots of people ask this. Many doctors have pay setups that don’t match dental pay. Some specialists make a lot. Some family doctors make less than busy dentists. Dentists can set their own hours and usually control their business better. Pick what fits you.

FAQ

Q: What mostly sets dentist pay in Ontario?

A: The mix of jobs you do (like crowns or implants) and how well you keep costs down. Adding higher-value services and cutting waste help the most.

Q: Do rural dentists earn more?

A: Many do, thanks to less competition and sometimes higher pay splits. But you need to like travel and all types of care.

Q: How do I grow from $180,000 to $300,000?

A: Tighten your schedule, learn higher-value jobs (like implants or root canals), cut lab and supply costs, and get better at helping patients understand what they need.

Q: Should I buy a clinic or stay an associate?

A: Owning can pay more long-term, but comes with risk and stress. Check the numbers, see the real costs, and talk to someone who’s bought a clinic.

Conclusion and Simple Action Steps

You now know the numbers. You know what dentists, new or experienced, are paid. You know how skills, clinic type, place, hours worked, and costs make a difference. The best plan? Grow smart and keep costs tight.

Problem: Hard to get real numbers and a plan.

Agitate: Debt and high costs drag you down.

Solution: Use these easy facts to set a target. Add better mix of jobs. Watch what you earn per hour. Pick helpers, like a digital dental lab, for less stress and steady results. Pick a crown and bridge lab and implant dental laboratory to get better at the high-value work. Use a denture lab you trust. Little changes help fast.

Start this week—see your pay climb.

Quick Points to Remember

• Most Ontario dentists earn $150,000 to $350,000+ gross. Middle is about $200,000-$250,000.
• Starters: $100,000 to $180,000. Pay goes up with experience.
• Specialists can earn a lot more.
• Owners net $250,000 to $600,000+ if costs are low.
• Overhead eats up 50% to 70% for many offices. Watch your costs.
• Place matters. Rural and North can pay more.
• More hours help but working smart helps more.
• Good lab partners cut redos and save you chair time.
• Learn your taxes and track debts. Keep learning.

References and Expert Check

References

• Ontario Dental Association Fee Guide and resources: https://www.oda.ca
• Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario: https://www.rcdso.org
• Canadian Dental Association: https://www.cda-adc.ca
• Statistics Canada: https://www.statcan.gc.ca
• Government of Canada Job Bank: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca
• Job sites and salary surveys (Indeed, Glassdoor)

This article was checked for money and job details by a licensed Ontario dentist. Our expert says the numbers shown fit what’s happening in Ontario in 2023-2024. Every office and city is a bit different.