What a dentist does
A dentist examines patients, diagnoses oral health problems, plans treatment and carries out procedures such as fillings, crowns, extractions and root canals. In most practices that are hiring, the role is an associate dentist who treats the practice's patients under an agreement with the owner. A good associate keeps the hygiene schedule supported with restorative work, builds trust with families and helps the practice grow. A poor fit can mean lost patients, unfinished treatment plans and an unsettled team.
Associate searches depend on detail. Finch asks how your associates are paid, how many days you need covered, which procedures you want kept in-house and how many patients the dentist would inherit. We look at clinical interests, pace and chairside manner as well as registration, then present dentists who want the kind of practice you run. The associate agreement itself is between you and the dentist, and we suggest having it reviewed by your own lawyer.
Typical responsibilities
- Examine patients, review radiographs and diagnose dental and oral health conditions
- Present treatment plans and costs clearly, and obtain informed consent before treatment
- Perform restorative, endodontic, prosthodontic and surgical procedures within their competence
- Prescribe radiographs and medications where clinically appropriate
- Direct and support hygienists and assistants during patient care
- Keep complete clinical records that meet the College's record-keeping standards
Qualifications and credentials
- A certificate of registration with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO)
- A dental degree and certification from the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB), which general dentists need for licensure
- Professional liability protection, as required for dentists practising in Ontario
- Any additional College authorization needed for services your office offers, such as sedation or CT imaging
- For practices in other provinces, registration with that province's dental regulatory authority
Who hires a dentist
- General and family dental practices
- Group practices and multi-location dental organizations
- Community health centres with dental programs
- Practices planning for an owner's retirement or a transition in ownership
Where we recruit dentist candidates
We fill dentist roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Check RCDSO registration status and any terms, conditions or limitations on the public register
- Confirm which procedures the dentist performs confidently and which they refer out
- Discuss expected days, compensation structure and patient volume so expectations match before interviews
- Ask about experience with your practice software and digital imaging systems
- Speak with references from practice owners or senior dental colleagues
Interview questions to ask
- Which procedures do you prefer to refer out, and why?
- How do you present a large treatment plan to a patient who is worried about cost?
- What support do you expect from hygienists and assistants on a busy day?