The short answer
Every dentist practising in Ontario must be registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), and you can look anyone up on its free public register. Implants are placed by general dentists and by some specialists. Implant dentistry is not a recognized specialty in Ontario. Beyond the register, a provider's answers about training, imaging, planning, risks and costs tell you more than any title.
Start with the register
The RCDSO is the regulator for dentists in Ontario. Every dentist who practises here must be registered with it. It sets standards of practice, handles complaints, and keeps a public register that anyone can search for free at rcdso.org.
- Search by nameYou can also search by city, practice name, specialty and other details.
- Check the registration statusConfirm the dentist is currently registered to practise.
- Look for a specialtyIf the dentist is a specialist, the register shows which recognized specialty.
- Read any notesTerms, conditions or limitations on a licence, and findings of misconduct, appear here.
- Check permits if relevantSedation authorizations, sedation and dental CT facility permits, and summaries of inspection deficiencies.
What the register shows
According to the RCDSO, the register includes:
- Name and office information
- Registration status, and qualifications and academic history
- Specialized permits and authorizations
- Any terms, conditions and limitations on a dentist's licence
- Allegations and findings of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity, and certain criminal findings and current charges
- Cautions and remediation programs ordered since October 2015
- A summary of deficiencies found during inspection of a sedation facility or a dental CT scanner
A clean entry confirms the dentist is registered and shows no recorded issues. It doesn't tell you how much implant work they do, or how they plan it. That's what the questions further down are for.
General dentists and recognized specialists
Ontario recognizes eleven dental specialties. A specialist holds a specialty certificate from the RCDSO after completing a postgraduate program in that field. The eleven are dental anaesthesia, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology, orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, periodontics, prosthodontics and public health dentistry.
May plan, place and restore implants, often referring more complex cases. Must not present themselves as a specialist.
Specialist in the gums and supporting bone. Often involved with grafting and gum treatment before implants.
Specialist in surgery of the mouth and jaws. Often involved with complex surgery and major grafting.
Specialist in restoring and replacing teeth. Often involved in complex or full-arch restorations.
Implant dentistry isn't on the list. The RCDSO says a general dentist who limits their practice to one area must make clear they are a general practitioner, and may not use a title that suggests a specialty that doesn't exist. If you see an implant-related title, the register tells you whether the person is a general dentist or holds a specialty certificate.
Neither route is automatically right. A straightforward single implant is often handled by a general dentist. Major grafting, limited bone near a nerve, significant medical conditions or full-arch work may bring a specialist into the plan, sometimes for one stage only. Our guide to imaging and referrals in Ontario explains how shared care works.
Are you a general dentist or a specialist, and would any part of my case go to someone else?
Questions that tell you how a provider works
A registered dentist can still be a better or worse fit for your case. These questions bring out the differences. You can build and print your own list with the implant consultation question builder.
What training have you done in implant surgery and restoration, and how often do you place implants?
Will my case be planned on a CBCT scan, and will you go through it with me?
Which implant system are you proposing, and how will I or another dentist identify its parts later?
If sedation is proposed, who gives it, and what authorization and facility permit cover it?
Who makes and fits the final tooth, and who do I see if something goes wrong later?
What are the main risks in my case, and how would you handle a complication?
What does the estimate include, and can I have it in writing for a pre-determination?
The question about parts is less obvious than it looks. An implant can stay in place for many years, and if a screw or crown ever needs replacing, the dentist doing the work has to know which system it is. A note of the system and component details in your records saves trouble later.
What a careful answer sounds like
You're not testing for a script. Useful signs include planning on 3D imaging, explaining risks and alternatives as readily as benefits, willingness to refer when a case calls for it, an itemized written estimate, and realistic language about results.
Reasons to slow down
- Promises of guaranteed results, or no mention of risks
- Pressure to commit on the day, or a deadline attached to a price
- A firm fee quoted before any exam or imaging
- Reluctance to put the plan and estimate in writing
- Discouraging you from getting a second opinion
Second opinions
For a large or expensive plan, a second opinion is ordinary practice. Ask for copies of your scan, X-rays and written plan so the second dentist can review them without repeating imaging unnecessarily. Two plans that disagree aren't necessarily a problem. Ask each dentist to explain why they chose their approach, and the reasoning usually shows which fits your priorities.
If you ever have a concern about a dentist's conduct, the RCDSO handles complaints about registered dentists in Ontario.
For where this choice sits among the other steps, see getting dental implants in Ontario, step by step.
Common questions
Is implant dentistry a recognized specialty in Ontario?
No. Ontario has eleven recognized dental specialties, and implant dentistry isn't one of them. General dentists and several kinds of specialists, including periodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and prosthodontists, place or restore implants.
How do I check if a dentist is registered in Ontario?
Search the RCDSO public register at rcdso.org by the dentist's name. It shows registration status, any specialty, licence conditions, discipline findings, and sedation and CT authorizations and permits.
Can a general dentist place dental implants?
Yes. Many general dentists plan, place and restore implants, and refer more complex cases. What matters is their training and experience with cases like yours, which you can ask about directly.
Should I see a specialist instead?
It depends on the case. Complex grafting, limited bone, significant medical conditions or full-arch treatment are common reasons a specialist becomes involved. Your dentist should be able to explain whether your case needs one.
References
- Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. Information about Ontario dentists on the public register (checked October 2026). rcdso.org
- Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. Use of qualifications, titles and designations; recognized dental specialties in Ontario (checked October 2026). rcdso.org
- Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. Standard of Practice: Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia in Dental Practice (approved November 2018). rcdso.org
