michellethetoothfairy

Hi all, im new to this.. But i was hoping to get some help with info on working in canada as a dental hygienist, ive almost completed a 2 yr programme (in ireland) but im also a qualified dental nurse and have the national cert (british), any help would be most welcome.. thanks

christmasoompa

Hi Michelle and welcome to the forum.

Can you just clarify, do you already have a visa which entitles you to work in Canada or is that something you need to try and get?

If you have a visa and just want info about working over there then I can't help as I know nothing about dentals nurses I'm afraid - although I do seem to recall they need to be licensed so you will probably have to sit some kind of exam. Do a search of the forum (top right) to find more info as I'm sure it's been discussed before.

And if you want visa info then go to the Wiki (on blue bar at top of page) and read the info there.

Best of luck.

michellethetoothfairy

Hi thanks for the reply!! I dont have the visa yet, there is so much work involved in it Im confused and dont know where to start!! Ill check out your suggestions..
Thanks again michelle

christmasoompa

It is confusing when you first start but don't worry, you'll soon become an immigration expert! Your best bet is to make a large pot of tea and sit down and read the Wiki I mentioned above, this link is a great place to start.........http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Quick_...an_Immigration (pay particular attention to the 'Labour Shortages' article it links to.)

How old are you Michelle? Sorry to ask a personal question but if you are under 30 then you'd qualify for a Bunac visa, which is a working holiday visa which gives you a year's open work permit for Canada (and which you can then try and upgrade to permanent residency once there).

If you're not then realistically your only hope is to try and find a job and get there via a Temporary Work Permit which again, you can upgrade to Permanent Residency. Have a read of the following Wiki articles for info on that.....http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Category:Work_Permits

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Fast_T...ication-Canada

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Catego...Hunting-Canada

Good luck.

michellethetoothfairy

Im 29 so I do fit into the bracket . There is a visa I can apply for here its for university graduates in their final year, which I intend to apply for. Places are limited ( approx 5,000 per annum). I would love to work as dental hygienist as thats what ill qualify as in May but Im not sure how our qualification is recognised over there and I know each state has different licencing laws.. Ill put on the kettle and start the tedious task of information gathering..
Thanks so much

christmasoompa

Just did a quick search for you and found these threads which may be useful and point you in the right direction..................http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...t=dental+nurse

christmasoompa

That would be a bunac visa (I assume anyway, don't know of any other kind of visa for students - they do them for students and non-students), great news that you're under 30 so can apply. Be aware though that in order to be eligible as a student you have to be doing a full time degree course at a UK university - just mention it as you said you were doing a 2 year course which I assume wouldn't be a degree?

But you could apply for the non-student one once you've finished, applications opened at the beginning of December (it's roughly same time each year) so if they've all gone when you've finished your course then you'll have to wait until the 2010 programme opens.

Also, do check into what you need to work there as from what I read on that previous thread about dental nurses, you will need to be licensed over there so it might not be worth your while, you might be better off getting another job with the Bunac visa.

Have fun reading!!

michellethetoothfairy

I am attending a university, our course is not a degree but a diploma. According to the travel agent it qualifies as it is a full time course.. To be honest Im almost thinking of just gaining employment in a less specialised area having read some of the licencing requirements. May change my mind once I get there...
Cheers for all your help, your a wizz at navigating the net!!

fledermaus

Just a heads up, as is said over here. Canada has provinces and not states.

If you have some money saved up perhaps you could go back to school here and convert your qualification into a Canadian one?

michellethetoothfairy

Yes of course, thanks for the heads up on that... Im not sure i will benefit on going back to college in Canada as Im of the opinion that if Im successful with sitting the required exams for the BC area for example, that I should be allowed to apply for my licence, thanks for suggestion though

fledermaus

Ah yes, if you can challenge the exam then there's no need. It is another way of getting into Canada though.