National Outlook – 10-Year Projection (2011-2020)

This section provides labour demand and labour supply projections for this occupation over the 2011-2020 period.

Note: The tables, graphs and middle paragraph shown under this section display updated 2011-2020 projection results. The remaining narrative text (2009-2018 projections) will be updated shortly. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The data in the following table are derived from HRSDC’s Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS). COPS uses a variety of models to produce a detailed 10-year labour market projection per broad skill level and per occupation at the national level, which focuses on the trends of labour supply and labour demand over the next ten years.

This occupation (Dental Assistants) is part of a larger occupational group called Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services (NOC 341).

Occupation Projection for Canada

Over the 2008-2010 period, this occupation experienced a sharp increase in employment. Its unemployment rate, already lower than for all occupations, changed little. This employment growth is consistent with the strong employment growth for over 15 years. The average hourly wage for this occupation increased at the same rate as for all occupations. According to key labour market indicators, the number of job seekers was insufficient to fill the job openings in this occupation.

Over the 2011-2020 period, an occupation will be in excess demand (a shortage of workers) if the projected number of job openings is significantly greater than the projected number of job seekers. An occupation will be in excess supply (a surplus of workers) if the projected number of job openings is smaller than the projected number of job seekers. For Assisting Occupations In Support Of Health Services, over the 2011-2020 period, job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 165,027 and 158,109 job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill the job openings.

Given that recently there was a shortage of labour in this occupation, projections indicate that the number of job seekers will be insufficient to fill all job openings over the 2011-2020 period. Job openings will result from both employment growth and retirements. Expansion demand will increase at a faster rate than for all occupations, but the number of job openings arising from economic growth will be fewer than over the past decade (2001-2010). As with most occupations in the health sector, Canada's aging population will continue to increase the demand for health care workers. Employment growth in this occupation will therefore be among the strongest for all occupations. With regard to labour supply, a large increase in the number of school leavers is expected in response to the high demand for workers in this occupation. As was the case in recent years, labour supply from other occupations will also represent a large number of job seekers.

This Chart contains data for Projection of Job Openings vs. Job Seekers for Canada. Information is available in the following tables.

In which industry or sector do people in this occupation find jobs in Canada?

This table shows the industry and sectors employing the highest number of people in this occupation.

What proportion of people in this occupation work full-time and part-time?

The graph displays the proportion of people in this occupation who worked full-time and part-time in comparison to the Canadian average across all occupations.

According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), 78% of workers in this occupation worked full-time, compared to the average of 81% for all occupations.

What percentage of people in this occupation are members of a union?

This occupation (Dental Assistants) is part of a larger group called Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services (NOC 341). According to the Labour Force Survey (2009), the unionization rate for this group was 56%, while the unionization rate for all occupations was 31%.