Dental And Oral Surgery Retractors In Canada
Written by the Equate Instruments Technical Team · Reviewed by the Medical & Dental Board, Equate Instruments · Published ·
In Canada, Equate supplies 63 surgical retractors references directly to clinics, dental groups and distributors. In 2019, an estimated 38.9% of children aged 1-9 in Canada had untreated caries of deciduous 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 surgical retractors do clinics in Canada stock?
- Austin retractor
- Langenbeck retractor
- Hook and rake retractors
What are surgical retractors used for in Canada?
A dental retractor is a hand instrument that holds the cheek, lips, tongue or a surgical flap away from the area being treated. See the full guide to dental and Oral Surgery Retractors.
Which surgical retractors does Equate supply to Canada?
Local guides: Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City.
Popular Equate dental and oral surgery retractors for Canada
All products
surgical retractors
Desmarres Retractor 9 x 9 mm Blade - 14.5 cm
EI-2474
surgical retractors
Austin Retractor
EI-2734
surgical retractors
Minnesota Retractor, Large
EI-2736
surgical retractors
Sharp Senn-Miller Retractor 5x20mm
EI-0380
surgical retractors
Brunings Tongue Retractor 19cm
EI-0387
surgical retractors
Minnesota Retractor Small
EI-0388
surgical retractors
Cawood-Minnesota Tongue Retractor
EI-0390
surgical retractors
Langenbeck Retractor 40x11 mm 21 cm
EI-0404
How are surgical retractors 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).
How should surgical retractors 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 surgical retractors?
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 surgical retractors?
Students at University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University and 8 other Canada dental schools train with surgical retractors in their clinical years.
What do dentists in Canada search for when buying surgical retractors?
In North America, surgical retractors draw about 20,450 searches a month (Google Keyword Planner bands, October 2025 to September 2026). The most searched terms are "cheek retractors", "cheek retractors dental", "dental mouth gag" and "dental retractors".
Why do practices in Canada buy surgical retractors from Equate?
- A named Regional Executive for North America handles quotes, samples and volume pricing for private practices and DSOs and dental schools and hospital clinics in Canada.
- Samples are available, so a clinic in Canada can test an instrument before ordering in volume.
Equate data
The Equate dental and oral surgery retractors range for Canada
Catalogue explorer: 63 references
| Pattern | References | Figures | Handles | Coatings | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Retractors | 3 | — | — | — | EI-0388EI-2736 |
| Austin Retractors | 5 | — | — | — | EI-2349EI-2477 |
| Langenbeck Retractors | 10 | — | — | — | EI-0403EI-0404 |
| Tissue Retractors | 24 | Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 | knurled, solid | — | EI-0371EI-0372 |
| Tongue Retractors | 5 | — | — | — | EI-0387EI-0389 |
| Lip Retractors | 6 | — | — | — | EI-2332EI-2335 |
| Self-Retaining Retractors | 2 | — | — | — | EI-2246EI-2247 |
| Mouth Gagschildren | 8 | — | — | — | EI-2250EI-2251 |
Starter kit for a new practice in Canada
- Minnesota retractor:Minnesota Retractor SmallEI-0388
- Austin retractor:Austin RetractorEI-2734
- Tongue retractor:Brunings Tongue Retractor 19cmEI-0387
- Mouth gag:Jennings Mouth Gag Retractor - 11 cmEI-2250
What buyers search for
About 20,450 searches a month across 85 related terms.
- cheek retractors5,000
- cheek retractors dental500
- dental mouth gag500
- dental retractors500
- dental tongue retractor500
- disposable cheek retractors500
Your Regional Executive · North America
Ahmed Kamal
Regional Executive, Long Island, NY
Frequently asked questions
Can clinics in Canada buy surgical retractors 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 surgical retractors 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)
- Hupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR. Contemporary Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Elsevier (instrumentation for basic oral surgery; principles of routine exodontia)
- Boyd LRB. Dental Instruments: A Pocket Guide. Elsevier
- Kohn WG, et al. Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003. MMWR 52(RR-17), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
I am a… in Canada
