The global mobility of dental professionals has grown significantly in recent years. Dentists trained in one country often aspire to practice in another, bringing their skills to new communities and meeting international standards. A common pathway many internationally educated dentists consider is completing the Australian Dental Council (ADC) Equivalency Process, which is required for foreign-trained dentists to practice in Australia.
A recurring question among such professionals is:
“If I have already completed the Australian Dental Council’s Equivalency Process, can I directly enter the Canadian Certification Process?”
The answer depends on multiple factors, including whether your dental education is from an accredited institution and whether your qualifications align with Canada’s national dental standards. In most cases, completing the ADC Equivalency Process alone does not allow you to bypass Canada’s Equivalency Process or enter the Certification Process directly. However, there are certain exceptions and nuances to consider.
This blog will explore the differences between the Australian and Canadian dental licensing systems, the concept of accreditation, and the steps you may still need to take if you’re planning to transition from Australia’s system into Canada’s dental licensure pathway.
Understanding the Canadian Certification Framework
Canada’s dental licensure process is governed by a nationally recognized regulatory body that oversees the certification of all general dentists. To become licensed in Canada, candidates must obtain a Certificate of Qualification, which demonstrates that the applicant has met the required national standards for dental education and clinical competence.
To reach this point, candidates typically follow one of two main pathways:
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Graduating from an accredited dental program (from Canada, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, or Ireland—within specific timelines).
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Completing the Equivalency Process, designed for graduates of non-accredited dental programs.
Once either of these steps is completed, candidates may proceed to the Certification Process, which includes the written exam and a clinical-based assessment.
What Is the Australian Dental Council Equivalency Process?
The Australian Dental Council (ADC) Equivalency Process assesses the knowledge, skills, and clinical competence of internationally qualified dentists who did not graduate from a dental school accredited by the Australian authorities.
It includes:
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Initial assessment of qualifications
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Written examination
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Practical (clinical) examination
Once successfully completed, candidates become eligible to register with the Dental Board of Australia and practice as dentists in Australia.
However, completion of this process does not automatically equate to an accredited dental degree recognized by Canadian regulators, unless the candidate originally graduated from an accredited university.
Accreditation Matters: The Core of Eligibility
The key factor in determining whether you can skip Canada’s Equivalency Process lies in whether your dental degree is from an accredited institution.
Canada recognizes degrees from specific dental schools accredited under the following councils:
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Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC)
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Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) – USA
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Australian Dental Council (ADC) – only for degrees from Australian dental schools
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Dental Council of New Zealand
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Irish Dental Council
So, if you graduated from a university in Australia that is directly accredited by the ADC (such as the University of Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland, etc.), and your graduation year falls within the recognized accreditation period, you may be eligible to go directly to the Certification Process in Canada.
However, if you completed the ADC Equivalency Process after obtaining your degree from a non-accredited university (such as those in India, Egypt, or the Philippines), you will still be considered a graduate of a non-accredited program by Canadian standards. In that case, you must complete Canada’s Equivalency Process before becoming eligible for certification.
What If You Completed Both: A Non-Accredited Degree + ADC Equivalency?
Let’s say you earned your dental degree from a non-accredited university in another country, and then successfully completed the Australian Dental Council Equivalency Process. Even though this qualifies you to practice in Australia, it does not change the original status of your degree in Canada.
In such situations:
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Canada’s regulatory body does not recognize the Australian Equivalency Process as a substitute for Canadian assessments.
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You would still need to complete the Canadian Equivalency Process, which includes:
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Assessment of Fundamental Knowledge (AFK)
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Assessment of Clinical Judgment (ACJ)
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Assessment of Clinical Skills (ACS)
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Only after passing all three assessments can you proceed to the Certification Process.
Why the Equivalency Pathways Are Not Interchangeable
Each country establishes its own standards and frameworks for assessing the competencies of dental professionals. Although both the ADC and Canada’s governing bodies aim to evaluate whether a candidate can practice safely and effectively, their equivalency processes are not standardized across nations.
Here’s why the two systems are not considered interchangeable:
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Educational benchmarks differ: The curriculum, clinical expectations, and competency outcomes vary between countries.
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Assessment structures are unique: The format, methodology, and evaluation criteria of Australia’s exams are not identical to those in Canada.
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Accreditation is degree-based, not process-based: Canada’s acceptance is tied to the original institution of graduation, not the equivalency pathway completed afterward.
Can Completing the ADC Process Still Help?
Absolutely. Even though the ADC Equivalency Process doesn’t directly exempt you from the Canadian Equivalency Process, it can offer several indirect benefits:
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Enhanced exam preparation: You may already be familiar with the exam environment, clinical protocols, and patient care models used in Western countries.
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Improved confidence and competence: Clinical and theoretical knowledge acquired during the ADC process may translate well into Canadian assessments.
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Familiarity with licensing systems: Navigating one country’s regulatory framework can prepare you for handling another’s administrative processes more efficiently.
What Should You Do Next?
If you’re currently in Australia or have completed the ADC process, and are considering practicing in Canada, here are the steps you can take:
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Verify your degree: Check whether your original dental school is recognized as accredited in Canada.
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Contact the appropriate Canadian authorities: Inquire about eligibility for direct entry to the Certification Process.
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Prepare for Canada’s Equivalency Process: If required, begin collecting your transcripts and documents for credential verification.
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Study for the Canadian exams: Utilize the knowledge you’ve gained in Australia to build a strong foundation for AFK, ACJ, and ACS.
Final Thoughts
Completing the Australian Dental Council Equivalency Process is a significant achievement that opens doors to practice in Australia. However, it does not automatically make you eligible to skip the Canadian Equivalency Process, unless your dental degree comes from an accredited Australian institution.
To practice dentistry in Canada, your eligibility is evaluated based on where you obtained your dental degree—not based on the post-graduate assessments or equivalency programs you have completed elsewhere. That said, your experience with the ADC process can serve as excellent preparation, giving you an edge as you progress through Canada’s own licensing requirements.
If you’re planning to move from Australia to Canada as a dental professional, understanding these distinctions early on can save you time, frustration, and unnecessary delays. Prepare wisely, gather the right documentation, and approach the process with a strategic mindset—you’ll be one step closer to becoming a licensed dentist in Canada.
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