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How to Find the Best Dentist in Ontario: A Patient’s Guide

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Searching for a new dentist is one of those tasks that tends to sit on the to-do list until something starts to hurt. Maybe you have moved to a new city, changed jobs and insurance plans, or simply gone a few years without a check-up.

Whatever brought you here, the search usually starts the same way: typing “best dentist near me” into a search bar and hoping the results sort themselves out.

Here is the thing about that search. There is no official ranking of dentists in Ontario, and no regulatory body that names a winner. What there is — and what genuinely helps — is a clear way to evaluate whether a particular dentist is a good fit for you and your family.

Below, our team walks through how dentists are regulated in this province, what to look for, what to ask, and how to make sense of dental costs.

Start with the College: is the dentist registered?

Every dentist practising in Ontario must be registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO). The College sets the standards of practice for the profession, handles complaints, and maintains a public register of every dentist licensed in the province.

This is the single most useful first step in your search, and it takes about two minutes.

The RCDSO’s public register at rcdso.org lets you look up any dentist by name and confirm:

  • That they hold a current certificate of registration
  • Where they practise
  • What year they were registered
  • Whether they are a registered specialist, and in what specialty
  • Any restrictions on their certificate, or any public disciplinary history

If a name does not appear on the register, that is a meaningful signal. Everyone providing dental treatment in Ontario should be there.

A note on the word “specialist”

In Ontario, “specialist” is a protected term. A dentist can only present themselves as a specialist in orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, or another recognized specialty if they have completed the required additional training and are registered with the College in that specialty.

A general dentist may well provide orthodontic or surgical treatment, and many do so with substantial experience and continuing education. That is entirely legitimate. But “provides orthodontic treatment” and “is a registered orthodontist” are two different statements, and it is fair to ask which one applies.

Why “best” is the wrong question — and what to ask instead

Dentistry does not have a leaderboard. Two excellent dentists can work very differently, and the one who is right for a nervous patient who needs sedation may not be the one who is right for a family of five trying to book four check-ups on the same Saturday morning.

So instead of asking “who is the best dentist in Ontario,” it tends to be more productive to ask: which practice is the best fit for my situation?

That question breaks down into things you can actually check.

1. Location and hours you will realistically use

The most highly regarded dentist in the province is not much use if the office is forty minutes away and closes at 4 p.m. on weekdays. Look for a clinic near your home, your workplace, or somewhere you already go regularly — a mall or transit hub can make appointments far easier to keep.

Ask about evening and weekend availability if your schedule is inflexible.

2. The range of services offered under one roof

If a clinic provides general dentistry, cosmetic treatment, children’s care, orthodontics, oral surgery and emergency care in the same place, you are less likely to be referred elsewhere partway through treatment. That means fewer new patient forms, fewer duplicate x-rays, and one team that knows your history.

If you have a specific need in mind — Invisalign clear aligners, sedation dentistry, or oral surgery, for example — confirm it is offered before you book.

3. How the practice handles emergencies

Ask what happens if you chip a tooth on a Friday evening or wake up with severe pain. Does the clinic reserve same-day slots? Is there an after-hours number? Knowing the answer before you need it is worth a great deal.

Our team has also written about how to tell whether a dental problem is an emergency, which can help you decide when to call.

4. Whether the practice takes new patients — and your coverage

Not every clinic is accepting new patients, so check first. Then ask two related questions:

  • Do you direct bill my insurance provider?
  • Do you accept patients covered by the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

The CDCP is a federal program that helps cover dental costs for eligible Canadian residents without private insurance. Coverage and eligibility have expanded in stages, so it is worth confirming both your own eligibility and whether a given clinic participates.

5. Comfort, anxiety and accessibility

Dental anxiety is common and nothing to be embarrassed about. A good practice will ask about it directly rather than waiting for you to raise it.

Ask what options are available — from taking things slowly and explaining each step, to nitrous oxide or other forms of sedation. If you use a wheelchair, have mobility needs, or need a quieter environment, ask about the physical space and parking before booking. You can read more about how we work with anxious patients.

6. How treatment and costs are explained

You should leave a consultation understanding what was found, what the recommended treatment is, what the alternatives are (including doing nothing for now, where that is reasonable), and what it will cost.

A written treatment plan with itemized costs is standard practice and you are entitled to ask for one.

Understanding dental fees in Ontario

Dental fees in Ontario are not set by the government. The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) publishes an annual Suggested Fee Guide for General Practitioners, updated each January. Individual practices set their own fees, and many use the guide as a reference point.

Most private insurance plans base their reimbursement on the current or a prior year’s guide, which is why your plan may cover a slightly different amount than you were quoted.

Practical steps that help:

  • Ask for an itemized estimate before treatment begins
  • Ask your insurer for a pre-determination on larger treatment plans — the insurer reviews the proposed work in advance and tells you what it will cover
  • Ask whether the office direct bills, or whether you pay up front and claim afterward
  • Ask what payment or financing options exist for larger treatment plans

You can read more about insurance and financing options at our clinics.

Warning signs worth noticing

Most Ontario dentists practise carefully and ethically. Still, a few things reasonably give patients pause:

  • Pressure to decide immediately on significant elective treatment
  • Reluctance to give you a written estimate or to explain what a code covers
  • Guaranteed outcomes. No responsible clinician can promise a specific clinical result, and promising one is not permitted under Ontario’s professional standards
  • Refusal to transfer your records. You have a right of access to your dental records and radiographs, and a dentist has a professional obligation to transfer copies when you request them
  • No answer on registration. Any dentist should be able to tell you their College registration status without hesitation

If you have a serious concern about the care you received, the RCDSO has a formal complaints process.

Where to find a Toothworks dentist in Ontario

It is genuinely difficult to say who “the best” dentist in Ontario is — and under the advertising standards that Ontario dentists practise within, no clinic should be telling you that it holds that title. What we can tell you is exactly where our clinics are, so you can find one that fits your needs: your neighbourhood, your commute and your schedule.

Toothworks Dental Clinics has 12 locations across seven Ontario cities: Toronto, Scarborough, Mississauga, London, Kitchener, Waterloo and Ottawa. Every clinic is staffed by dentists registered with the RCDSO, and all locations are welcoming new patients, including patients with CDCP coverage. 

Toronto

Five downtown clinics, most located in office and retail concourses convenient to transit. See all Toronto clinics.

Scarborough

Two east-end clinics serving Scarborough and the surrounding communities. See all Scarborough clinics.

Mississauga

London

Kitchener

Waterloo

Ottawa

You can also browse all Toothworks locations on one page, or meet the dentists practising at each clinic.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a dentist is licensed in Ontario?

Search the public register on the RCDSO website at rcdso.org. It shows current registration status, practice location, specialty registration and any public disciplinary history for every dentist in the province.

How often should I see a dentist?

Many adults do well with a check-up and cleaning every six months, but the right interval depends on your oral health, medical history and risk factors. Your dentist should recommend a schedule based on your specific situation rather than a fixed rule.

Can I switch dentists partway through treatment?

Yes. You are free to change dentists at any time, and you can request that copies of your records and radiographs be transferred to your new dentist. Ontario dentists have a professional obligation to provide them.

What should I bring to a first appointment?

Your insurance information, a list of any medications and medical conditions, the name of your previous dentist if you have one, and any questions you have been meaning to ask. See our new patient information for details.

Does Toothworks accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan?

Yes. All Toothworks clinics welcome patients of all ages with CDCP coverage.

Ready to book?

Finding the right dentist comes down to fit: a registered professional, in a location you can reach, offering the services you need, who takes the time to explain what is going on in your mouth.

If you are looking for a dental home in Ontario, find a Toothworks location near you and request an appointment online.

This article is provided for general information and is not a substitute for a clinical examination or personalized advice from a dentist.

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Since 2001, Toothworks Dental Clinics have been providing patients of all ages with personalized dental care and a welcoming experience at locations across Ontario.

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