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NOC 32111 is the Canadian National Occupational Classification code for Dental hygienists and dental therapists. It is classified TEER 2 — College diploma, apprenticeship (2+ yrs) or supervisory, which meets the skill requirement for Express Entry. An officer decides whether you can claim this code by comparing the duties written in your reference letter against the official main duties below — not by your job title.
Classification
Health
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Definition
Dental hygienists provide dental hygiene treatment and services related to oral health promotion and disease and mouth injury prevention. They are employed in a variety of settings including dentists' offices, hospitals, private clinics, educational institutions, public health agencies or they may be self-employed. Dental therapists provide limited restorative dental treatment in addition to dental hygiene services. They are employed by the federal government and the provincial governments to provide services in rural and remote communities.
Main duties
Example job titles
Express Entry category draws
NOC 32111 is in the “Healthcare & social services” group used for category-based Express Entry draws.
Overview
Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, dental hygienists and dental therapists are classified under NOC 32111. This occupation falls within TEER Category 2, making skilled professionals in this field eligible for key Canadian economic immigration pathways, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class under the Express Entry system. Individuals in this unit group are primarily employed in private dental practices, community health centres, clinics, and educational institutions.
According to the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) guidelines, dental hygienists perform duties such as conducting initial dental assessments, removing stains and deposits, applying fluoride treatments, and instructing patients on oral hygiene practices. Dental therapists perform similar preventive duties but may also deliver restorative services, perform basic extractions, and administer local anesthetics under the direction of a dentist or in accordance with provincial regulations. Practice in Canada is strictly regulated, requiring registration or licensing with the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body.
Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.
Yes — Dental hygienists and dental therapists is TEER 2, and TEER 0–3 occupations meet the skill-level requirement for Express Entry programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Full eligibility also depends on your work experience, language results and other program criteria.
Dental hygienists and dental therapists is classified as TEER 2 — College diploma, apprenticeship (2+ yrs) or supervisory. Always confirm the exact employment requirements on the official NOC profile before relying on them.
Yes — Dental hygienists and dental therapists is regulated in Québec, so practising there requires recognition from the relevant professional body, and Québec immigration programs take this into account.
Yes — it's in the “Healthcare & social services” group. The latest Healthcare & social services round (June 25, 2026) invited 4000 candidates with a CRS cut-off of 475.
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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.