The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a significant blow to Canada’s dental industry, with output dropping by 14.6% from 2019 to 2020, according to a recent study by Statistics Canada. This decrease, from $18.1 billion to $15.5 billion, marked the largest decline among ambulatory health care sectors, with dental offices experiencing a more severe impact than physician offices and other health services.
The report, “Looking at the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Canadian dental industry,” highlights how public health measures forced many dental offices to suspend non-emergency treatments. These restrictions reduced the capacity of dental offices to operate, which led to substantial decreases in job levels and hours worked. Roughly 15.4% of dental industry jobs were lost during this period, translating to a reduction of 17,825 positions nationwide. The sector also saw a 15.7% drop in hours worked, from 174.1 million to 146.7 million.
As pandemic restrictions eased, the dental industry began to recover. Statistics Canada reports that the sector’s output rebounded by 22.7% in 2021, reaching $19.0 billion—surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Employment also saw a robust recovery, with the number of jobs in dental offices rising by 24.1%, or 23,632 positions, to 121,760. Total hours worked surged as well, increasing by 28.3% from 2020 to 188.3 million, the highest single-year gain since 2010.
Despite this overall recovery, the report indicates that the impact of the pandemic was not evenly distributed across the country. While most provinces and territories saw a resurgence in dental employment by 2021, some areas, particularly Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, continued to lag. In 2023, dental office jobs in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories remained below 2019 levels, with declines of 22.6% and 11.8%, respectively. However, jurisdictions such as Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia experienced significant growth in job numbers, increasing by 27.8%, 27.6%, and 24.0%, respectively, between 2020 and 2021.
This latest analysis of the dental industry comes at a critical time as Canada prepares for an anticipated increase in demand for oral health services under the new Canadian Dental Care Plan, launched in 2024. The plan aims to improve access to dental care across the country, potentially reshaping the landscape for dental services in the coming years.