Dentist-In-Chief

About SickKids

Dedicated exclusively to children and their families, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is one of the largest and most respected paediatric healthcare centres in the world. As innovators in child health, we lead and partner to improve the health of children through the integration of healthcare, leading-edge research and education. Our reputation would not have been built - nor could it be maintained - without the skills, knowledge and experience of the extraordinary people who come to work here every day. SickKids is committed to ongoing learning and development, and features a caring and supportive work environment that combines exceptionally high standards of practice.

When you join SickKids, you become part of our community. We share a commitment and determination to fulfill our vision of Healthier Children. A Better World.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to work alongside the world's best in paediatric healthcare.

Position Description

Dentist-in-Chief ' Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Hospital for Sick Children

The Department of Paediatric Dentistry at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, is inviting applications for the position of Dentist-in-Chief. This is a full-time role for an academic paediatric dentist and leader in paediatric oral health.

The effective date of this appointment is June 2027 but can be negotiated.

Primary Description

Responsibilities include full clinical practice, research, and education, and administrative responsibilities as required by a Department Chief. Evidence of excellence in teaching and research is required. This role reports directly to the Chief of Peri-Operative Services.

Additional Description

The successful candidate should be a senior academic with an international reputation who can provide effective and collaborative leadership and vision at the hospital, provincial, national and international levels. The candidate must be eligible for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor at the University of Toronto and be eligible for certification with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. Candidates must obtain an appropriate visa, if applicable.

We are seeking an individual whose leadership qualifications include management proficiency, dispute resolution, communications expertise, mentoring capabilities, the ability to engender trust, and the ability to function collaboratively with all manner of clinical teams and administration. Additionally, the successful candidate will have a long-term vision for the Department that integrates with the mission of Peri-Operative Services, the Hospital, and the University of Toronto.

Salary will be in the range of $200,000 to $400,000 for 40 hours per week, commensurate with qualifications and experience, and will be supplemented by clinical billing activity.

Benefits include Medical, Dental, Life Insurance, Group Insurance, Pension, and Vision coverage. A per annum stipend, in recognition of the administrative leadership responsibilities associated with the Department Chief role, will be provided. Support for relocation expenses will be offered. The position has a potential duration of two terms of five years each.

Department Description

The Department of Paediatric Dentistry at The Hospital for Sick Children consists of 18 dental surgeons, orthodontists, and paediatric dentists. The Department provides dental care for children and adolescents under 18 years of age whose treatment is best managed in a multidisciplinary hospital environment. It is integral to the Ontario Cleft Lip and Palate Craniofacial Dental Program and is a major clinical training and research centre for the University of Toronto Graduate Paediatric Dentistry Program. The Department also provides training to hospital staff, community dentists, physicians, and families through its affiliation with the University of Toronto.

Hospital Description

SickKids, located at 555 University Avenue in downtown Toronto, is among the largest children's hospitals in North America and has a long history of excellence in clinical care, research, and education. It was named the number one paediatric hospital in the world in 2025 by Newsweek magazine. SickKids is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto and is located adjacent to the University campus and numerous specialty hospitals and biomedical research institutes.

Toronto is a vibrant and multicultural city, widely recognized as one of the most diverse cities in the world, with approximately half of its residents born outside Canada and representation from more than 250 ethnicities. This diversity is reflected in the city's neighbourhoods, food scene, Michelin-starred restaurants across Toronto and the surrounding region, and strengths in key sectors such as life sciences, finance, information, and communications technology.

As one of the largest cities in North America, Toronto offers a dynamic downtown, diverse neighbourhoods, strong schools, and access to leading universities. It is regularly recognized in global city, travel, and liveability rankings. World-famous lake and wilderness country, along with year-round outdoor recreation, are easily accessible, as are two hub airports for regional and international travel.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted until October 30, 2026. Should you be interested in this opportunity, please forward a one-page statement of interest, which includes the names and contact information for three referees, and a curriculum vitae in PDF format via email to:

Dr. Abhaya V. Kulkarni
Chief, Peri-Operative Services and Chair of the Search Committee
175 Elizabeth Street
Toronto, ON M5G 2G3

Email: [email protected]

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

For more information about the University of Toronto Department of Paediatric Dentistry, please visit our home page at University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment, and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [email protected].

Our Commitment to Diversity

SickKids is committed to championing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do, fostering an intentionally inclusive and culturally safe environment that reflects the diversity of the patients, families and communities we serve. Learn more about workplace inclusion.

Accessibility & Accommodation

If you require accommodation during the application process, please reach out to our aSKHR team. SickKids can provide access and inclusion supports to eligible candidates to support their full engagement during the interview and selection process as well as to ensure candidates are able to perform their duties once successfully hired. If you are invited for an interview and require accommodation, please let us know at the time of your invitation to interview. Information received related to access, inclusion or accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

How To Apply

Technical difficulties? Email [email protected] with a short description of the issues you are experiencing. We will not accept resumes sent to this inbox but we are happy to respond to requests for technical assistance.

Tip: Combine your cover letter and resume into ONE document of 20 pages or less as you cannot upload multiple documents as part of your application.

Every application is reviewed by a human recruiter and all hiring decisions are made by people. In some cases, AI-assisted tools are used to help review applications based on job-related qualifications.

All positions posted on the SickKids Hospital's Careers Site represent current vacancies, unless otherwise posted in the job description.