April 2, 2026 | British Columbia

Dental hygienists and dental assistants both play important roles in oral healthcare, but their responsibilities, training and licensing pathways are different. 

In BC, dental hygienists focus primarily on preventive oral healthcare and can practise with significant professional autonomy. Dental assistants work alongside dentists and other oral health professionals, supporting treatment and performing clinical services permitted within their training and scope. 

If you are deciding between the two careers, the main questions are how long you want to train, what kind of patient care you want to provide and how much clinical responsibility you want. 

What Does a Dental Hygienist Do? 

Dental hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who focus on preventing and treating diseases and conditions of the teeth and mouth. 

Their work can include: 

• Assessing oral health 
• Scaling and root planing 
• Removing deposits from teeth 
• Applying preventive treatments 
• Taking dental radiographs 
• Educating patients about oral hygiene 
• Developing dental hygiene care plans 

Dental hygienists with the appropriate BCCOHP certification may also administer local anaesthesia. 

Education and Licensing 

In BC, dental hygienists must hold a licence with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) to practise and use the title Dental Hygienist. 

The pathway generally involves: 

1. 1 Completing a recognized dental hygiene education program 
2. 2 Passing the National Dental Hygiene Certification Examination (NDHCE) 
3. 3 Meeting BCCOHP’s licensing requirements 

The Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada states that the NDHCE assesses entry-to-practice dental hygiene knowledge, judgement and skills. 

What Does a Dental Assistant Do? 

Dental assistants help dentists and other members of the oral healthcare team deliver treatment efficiently and safely. 

Responsibilities can include: 

• Preparing treatment rooms 
• Sterilizing instruments 
• Assisting during dental procedures 
• Preparing dental materials 
• Dental radiography when applicable requirements are met 
• Supporting infection prevention and control 
• Maintaining patient records 
• Performing permitted intra-oral procedures 

BC also distinguishes between chairside dental assistants and Licensed Dental Assistants (LDAs)*, formerly as Certificated Dental Assistant (CDA).  A chairside dental assistant does not hold an LDA licence. An LDA holds an active BCCOHP licence and can be delegated a broader range of clinical services. 

For more detail, see Licensed vs. Chairside Dental Assistant in BC: What’s the Difference?. 

Education and Licensing 

Students pursuing the LDA pathway typically: 

1. 1 Complete an accredited dental assisting program 
2. 2 Meet applicable NDAEB requirements 
3. 3 Obtain the NDAEB Certificate 
4. 4 Apply to BCCOHP for an LDA licence 

CDI College’s Dental Assisting Diploma Program in Burnaby and Surrey is 55 weeks and CDAC-accredited. 

The program combines classroom learning with 615 hours of clinical and practical training, including 440 hours of on-campus clinical training and 175 hours of outside practical experience. 

For a broader look at training, licensing and the different dental assisting paths, read How to Become a Dental Assistant in BC. 

Dental Hygienist vs. Dental Assistant: Key Differences 

Here is how the two careers compare in BC: 

WorkBC classifies dental hygiene as requiring college-level training of two or more years, while dental assisting falls into its less-than-two-year training category. 

Dental Hygienist vs. Dental Assistant Salary in BC 

The two occupations also have different wage ranges. 

According to current Job Bank data: 

These are provincial wage estimates, not guaranteed starting salaries. 

Job Bank reports a $55 median hourly wage for dental hygienists in BC, compared with $31 per hour for dental assistants. 

The wage difference reflects differences in education, licensing, scope and professional responsibilities. It does not mean that one career is automatically a better choice. 

What Is the Career Outlook in BC? 

Both occupations have forecast opportunities over the next decade. 

WorkBC forecasts 2,080 job openings for Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists between 2025 and 2035.  For Dental Assistants and Dental Laboratory Assistants, WorkBC forecasts 3,130 openings over the same period. 

Most openings for both occupational groups are expected in BC’s healthcare sector, with Mainland/Southwest accounting for the largest regional share. For more detail on the dental-assisting side, read Are Dental Assistants in Demand in British Columbia?. 

Can a Dental Assistant Become a Dental Hygienist? 

Yes, but dental assisting and dental hygiene are separate professions with separate education and licensing requirements. 

Working as a dental assistant can give you experience in a dental environment, but it does not replace dental hygiene education. To become a dental hygienist in BC, you would still need to complete the applicable recognized dental hygiene education, national examination and BCCOHP licensing requirements. 

So dental assisting can provide useful exposure to oral healthcare, but it should not be presented as a formal shortcut or automatic bridge into dental hygiene. 

Which Career Path May Fit You? 

The decision depends on the type of work and training you want. 

Dental assisting may fit you if you want: 

• A shorter education pathway 
• Hands-on clinical training 
• To work closely with dentists and patients 
• A combination of clinical and dental-office responsibilities 
• A pathway that can be completed without a university degree 

CDI College’s Dental Assisting diploma takes 55 weeks, making it a relatively direct route into dental career training. 

Dental hygiene may fit you if you want: 

• A stronger focus on preventive oral healthcare 
• Greater responsibility for assessing and treating patients 
• More professional autonomy 
• The ability to operate an independent dental hygiene practice 
• To commit to a longer education and licensing pathway 

Neither role is simply a more advanced version of the other. They are different oral healthcare professions with different scopes and training requirements. 

Why Consider Dental Assisting at CDI College? 

For students who decide dental assisting is the better fit, CDI College’s Dental Assisting diploma program provides a structured pathway toward LDA licensure. 

The program offers: 

• 55 weeks of training 
• CDAC accreditation 
• 440 hours of on-campus clinical training 
• 175 hours of outside practical experience 
• Training in chairside assisting, radiography, infection control, dental materials and intra-oral procedures 

Recent CDI College students from both Burnaby and Surrey also achieved a 100% NDAEB pass rate in the June 2025 sitting. 

Graduating from the program or passing the NDAEB examination does not automatically grant an LDA licence. Graduates must independently complete BCCOHP’s licensing requirements. 

Final Thoughts 

Dental hygienists and dental assistants work closely together, but the careers differ in training, scope, licensing, autonomy and wages. 

If you want a longer education pathway focused on preventive treatment and greater professional autonomy, dental hygiene may be worth exploring. 

If you want a shorter, hands-on pathway into oral healthcare and are interested in supporting dental treatment while developing clinical skills, dental assisting may be the better fit to investigate. 

CDI College’s Dental Assisting diploma program provides the educational and practical training that supports the LDA pathway in BC. Request more information for availability, details and financial options.