Dental Explorers In Canada
Written by the Equate Instruments Technical Team · Reviewed by the Medical & Dental Board, Equate Instruments · Published ·
Clinics and distributors in Canada can buy dental explorers directly from Equate, which lists 64 references. In 2019, an estimated 25.1% of people aged 5 and over in Canada had untreated caries of permanent teeth (WHO).
Key points
- In 2019, an estimated 7.7% of people aged 20 and over in Canada had lost all their natural teeth (WHO).
Dentists in Canada at a glance
- In 2018, Canada had 23,727 dentists, or 6.4 per 10,000 people (WHO).
- 6.4
- In 2018, Canada had 23,727 dentists, or 6.4 per 10,000 people (WHO).
- World Health Organization, 2018
- In 2017, Canada had 53,411 dental assistants and therapists, including dental hygienists, or 14.3 per 10,000 people (WHO).
- 14.3
- In 2017, Canada had 53,411 dental assistants and therapists, including dental hygienists, or 14.3 per 10,000 people (WHO).
- World Health Organization, 2017
- In 2018, Canada had 2,600 dental prosthetic technicians, or 0.7 per 10,000 people (WHO).
- 0.7
- In 2018, Canada had 2,600 dental prosthetic technicians, or 0.7 per 10,000 people (WHO).
- World Health Organization, 2018
- The Canadian Dental Association represents over 21,000 practising dentists across Canada (Canadian Dental Association).
- 21,000
- The Canadian Dental Association represents over 21,000 practising dentists across Canada (Canadian Dental Association).
- Canadian Dental Association, 2026
- dental schools listed
- 10
- dental schools listed
- Equate research
- Untreated caries, age 5+25.1%
- Severe periodontal disease, 15+24.7%
- No natural teeth, 20+7.7%
The dark line marks the median of Equate's 22 markets. Source: WHO Oral Health Country Profiles 2022 (2019 estimates).
Which types of dental explorers do clinics in Canada stock?
- 11/12 explorers
- Explorer-probe combinations
- Shepherd's hook
How are dental explorers regulated in Canada?
Under Rule 3 of Health Canada's classification rules, reusable surgical or dental instruments that are not connected to an active device and that cut, drill, scrape, clamp or retract are Class I (Health Canada).
Which dental explorers does Equate supply to Canada?
Local guides: Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City.
Popular Equate dental explorers for Canada
All products
dental explorers
Explorer Fig. 2 Extra Thin - Solid Handle 6mm
EI-0132
dental explorers
Fig. 9 Extra Thin Dental Explorer - 6 mm Solid Handle
EI-0178
dental explorers
Explorer 11-12 Blue
EI-1179
dental explorers
Explorer 11F-12F Flexible, Light Blue
EI-1180
dental explorers
Explorer 18-19 Blue
EI-1207
dental explorers
Explorer 9-17C - Light Blue Silicone Slim Handle
EI-1210
dental explorers
Dental Explorer Fig. 8A Extra Thin - Solid Handle 6mm
EI-1920
dental explorers
Explorer Fig. 17 Hollow Handle 10mm
EI-1925
How should dental explorers be cleaned and sterilised in Canada?
The 2018 RCDSO standard requires a biological indicator (spore test) in a process challenge device each day a sterilizer is used and for each cycle type, and states that its monitoring rules meet or exceed PIDAC and CSA recommendations (RCDSO).
In Canada, there is no fee to apply for or renew Canadian Dental Care Plan coverage (Government of Canada).
What is the Canada market like for dental explorers?
In 2019, an estimated 7.7% of people aged 20 and over in Canada had lost all their natural teeth (WHO).
In 2020, Canada had an estimated 2,993 new cases of lip and oral cavity cancer, an incidence of 4.2 per 100,000 (WHO).
Where do dental students in Canada learn to use dental explorers?
Dental explorers are part of clinical training at Canada's 10 dental schools, including University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University.
What do dentists in Canada search for when buying dental explorers?
In North America, dental explorers draw about 9,900 searches a month (Google Keyword Planner bands, October 2025 to September 2026). The most searched terms are "dental explorer", "dental explorer 11 12", "dental explorer tool" and "endo explorer".
Why do dentists in Canada need dental explorers?
A dental explorer is a slender hand instrument with a fine, sharp, flexible tip that the clinician uses to feel the tooth surface. See the full guide to dental Explorers.
Why do practices in Canada buy dental explorers from Equate?
- Clinics in Canada can request samples and a quote before committing to a full order.
- Direct from the manufacturer: practices in Canada order 64 dental explorers references without a distributor mark-up in between.
Equate data
The Equate dental explorers range for Canada
Catalogue explorer: 64 references
Starter kit for a new practice in Canada
- Shepherd's hook:Shepherd's Hook Explorer No.23EI-0035
- Subgingival explorer:Explorer 11-12 BlueEI-1179
What buyers search for
About 9,900 searches a month across 18 related terms.
- dental explorer5,000
- dental explorer 11 12500
- dental explorer tool500
- endo explorer500
- endo explorer dental500
- explorer dental instrument500
Your Regional Executive · North America
Ahmed Kamal
Regional Executive, Long Island, NY
Frequently asked questions
Can clinics in Canada buy dental explorers directly from Equate?
Yes. Equate sells directly to clinics, dental groups and distributors in Canada. The Regional Executive for North America handles quotes, samples and volume pricing.
What sterilisation rules apply to dental explorers in Canada?
The 2018 RCDSO standard requires a biological indicator (spore test) in a process challenge device each day a sterilizer is used and for each cycle type, and states that its monitoring rules meet or exceed PIDAC and CSA recommendations (RCDSO).
References
- World Health Organization (2019)
- Health Canada (2026)
- Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (2018)
- Government of Canada (2026)
- Gehrig JS, et al. Fundamentals of Periodontal Instrumentation & Advanced Root Instrumentation. Wolters Kluwer (instrument design and explorers)
- Ekstrand K, Qvist V, Thylstrup A. Light microscope study of the effect of probing in occlusal surfaces. Caries Research 1987;21(4):368–374
- Ismail AI, Sohn W, Tellez M, et al. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS): an integrated system for measuring dental caries. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology 2007;35(3):170–178
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