The category in brief
Your packet should document the professional work offered by the U.S. employer, the credential route in this list entry, and the requested temporary stay. Bring facts that agree across the signed letter and your supporting documents.
Use the exact dental credential on your documents and distinguish dentist responsibilities from assistant or hygienist work.
What the TN list requires
D.D.S., D.M.D., Doctor en Odontologia or Doctor en Cirugia Dental; or state/provincial license.
TN profession list, Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A of USMCA Chapter 16 (8 CFR 214.6(c))
The “or” matters: the quoted routes are alternatives, not a demand to hold every credential. Copy the credential exactly from the documents you actually hold; do not add an alternative the entry does not name.
What to explain at the counter
- Describe professional-level work using the employer’s real responsibilities.
- State the temporary period requested, up to three years, with actual start and end dates.
- Keep the letter, résumé, offer details and interview answers consistent.
- Use the exact dental credential on your documents and distinguish dentist responsibilities from assistant or hygienist work.
TNPath doesn't assess whether your evidence is sufficient; that's the officer's call
If the role or credential route is unclear, consider speaking with a U.S. immigration lawyer.
Describe the actual duties
These occupational examples are prompts drawn from the BLS description, not facts about your job. Use only responsibilities your employer confirms; write them in the employer’s own terms.
- Examine patients’ teeth and gums
- Interpret dental diagnostic images
- Diagnose oral health conditions
- Restore teeth affected by decay
- Repair or remove damaged teeth
- Administer dental anaesthesia for procedures
- Prescribe medication for dental conditions
- Explain preventive oral care to patients
Never add, inflate or reword duties to fit a category. Every line in the letter should be something your employer will confirm and you can describe in your own words at the counter.
Job titles that draw questions
Titles such as Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist, Dental Laboratory Technician can describe support work or another occupation. Keep the real title and describe the responsibilities honestly. TNPath’s wording flags are prompts for review, not USCIS category rulings.
Your employer must verify, approve and sign the final letter
Documents to bring
- Canadian passport
- Signed employer letter on company letterhead, original and copy
- Résumé matching the letter
- Offer letter, if any
- Means of paying the applicable CBP fee
- Evidence of the credential route quoted above, using the exact names on your records
See the full document checklist. Only include licence or bar details you affirm holding and can document.
Organize your Dentist packet
Answer with your own facts, then inspect the free preview before deciding.
Common questions
Which dental degrees are named?
The entry names D.D.S., D.M.D., Doctor en Odontologia or Doctor en Cirugia Dental. It also provides a state/provincial license alternative.
Do I need both a named degree and a licence for the list credential?
The list uses “or”, so these are alternative credential routes. State authorization to practise dentistry remains a separate requirement to check.
Can a dental assistant use the Dentist flow?
The flow is for the Dentist list entry. Do not rename assistant or hygienist duties as dentist responsibilities. For an unclear role, consider speaking with a U.S. immigration lawyer.
As a Canadian, do I need a TN visa before I go to the border?
No. Canadian citizens are visa-exempt and apply for TN status directly at a U.S. port of entry or airport preclearance, with their documents in hand. The officer decides at the counter. People still search for "TN visa", but for Canadians it's a status granted at entry, not a visa stamp.
Will TNPath tell me whether I qualify?
No. TNPath is a document-assembly tool. It organizes the facts you provide into templates and gives general information. It doesn't make eligibility determinations or recommend case-specific strategy. Only U.S. Customs and Border Protection decides whether to admit you.
Sources
- 8 CFR 214.6(c): TN profession list (eCFR)
- USMCA Chapter 16, Appendix 2 to Annex 16-A (USTR)
- CBP: Traveling on a TN or L-1 from Canada
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: occupational duties and practice context
Last reviewed October 2, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with official sources before you travel.