Dental Assistant Recognition Week: Natalie Marsh on Demand, Training, and the Future of Canada’s Oral Health Workforce

On the EdUp Canada podcast, host Michael Sangster speaks with Natalie Marsh, President of the Canadian Dental Assistants Association, to mark Dental Assistant Recognition Week and discuss the essential role dental assistants play in Canada’s oral healthcare system amid growing attention on dental care and the CDCP. Marsh describes significant demand across provinces, growing student interest with waitlists, and persistent shortages tied to retention, fair wages, licensing costs, and maternity leaves and retirements. She explains the one-year, dentistry-focused training pathway, national licensing exam, and province-by-province differences in scope of practice that complicate mobility and drive the need for greater standardization. Marsh shares why the work is rewarding—especially helping patients regain smiles with dentures—highlights posture and adaptability as key skills, and emphasizes advocacy to make dental assisting better understood as a regulated healthcare profession.00:37 Dental Assistants Spotlight01:41 Demand and Interest03:29 Retention and Pay04:55 Career Rewards and Impact07:12 Ergonomics and Longevity08:00 Training and Standards10:55 Nova Scotia Pipeline12:49 Public Awareness and Advocacy16:47 Mentoring Future Assistants19:36 Skills for Success21:48 Recognition Week and Teamwork24:54 How to Explore the CareerRead the full transcript here: https://share.descript.com/view/xKg2rmAm6xxListen to past episodes here: https://www.edupcanada.ca/