Catching Up with the Oral Health Community in Canada The National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) We checked in with Dr. Marie Dagenais, NDEB executive director and registrar, to learn more about the work the examination body does and how it’s preparing for the future. has been the executive director and registrar of NDEB since 2018. Prior to this, she spent 27 years at McGill University teaching oral & maxillofacial radiology and was associate dean, academic affairs, for 12 years. Dr. Dagenais has held several positions in various national organizations including president of the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry and chair of the Documentation Committee of the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. What does the NDEB do, in a nutshell? In the simplest terms, the NDEB is a national examination body. We assess general dentists who want to obtain licensure in Canada to ensure a standard of safe care for patients in Canada. The NDEB was created by an Act of Parliament in 1952. Although CDA is not involved in dental regulation, it maintains a collaborative relationship with the NDEB by engaging in dialogue and having a representative observe the NDEB’s Annual Meeting. How does the NDEB contribute to the dental profession and oral health in Canada? At its core, the NDEB’s role is about ensuring a consistent national standard of competence for dentists across Canada. Every dentist who enters practise must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for safe, effective and independent practise. That consistency is essential; it means patients can expect high-quality care no matter where they live in Canada. Our certification also supports professional mobility. Once a dentist is certified by the NDEB, they can apply for licensure in any province or territory without the need for Dr. Marie Dagenais 18 | 2026 | Issue 4
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