Social, economic and technological changes in Canada since World War II have brought about major changes in the practise and conditions of work of most occupations, including the professions. The sociological literature presents a number of views of the future of professions, highlighting three major directions: professionalization, deprofessionalization and proletarianization. An examination of dentistry in Canada supports the arguments presented by the professionalization theorists – the continued maintenance of the professional status granted the profession by the state.