How to become a Dental Hygienist in Minnesota
If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in Minnesota you will need to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program.
Requirements for entry into accredited programs include a high school diploma or equivalent and, depending on the school, you may need to pass entrance exams and complete an entry interview. Medical and legal clearances may also be required.
Below we provide details of the top accredited dental hygienist programs in Minnesota, as well as licensing requirements and salary and employment data for the state.
Get started today by reaching out to your chosen dental hygiene schools for information on program structure, tuition and fees, and admissions data.
Top 10 Accredited Dental Hygienist Schools Minnesota
| School | Area | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Normandale Community College | Bloomington | Learn More |
| Lake Superior College | Duluth | Learn More |
| Argosy University | Eagan | Learn More |
| Minnesota State University, Mankato | Mankato | Learn More |
| University of Minnesota School of Dentistry | Minneapolis | Learn More |
| Minnesota State Community & Technical College, Moorhead | Moorhead | Learn More |
| Rochester Community and Technical College | Rochester | Learn More |
| St. Cloud Technical and Community College | Saint Cloud | Learn More |
| Century College | White Bear Lake | Learn More |
Schools offering dental hygiene programs which have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) are recognized to maintain a high standard of education by the American Dental Association (ADA).
There are currently 10 CODA-accredited programs in Minnesota.
Once you have graduated from an accredited program you will be required to sit some additional state and/or national certification exams before you are eligible to apply for your dental hygienist license.
Minnesota Dental Hygienist License Requirements
Once you have successfully graduated from an accredited program and have passed all additional certification exams it is a requirement of Minnesota law that you obtain a license to work as a dental hygienist there.
The Minnesota Board of Dentistry governs the licensing of dental hygienists in Minnesota. You can contact the Board directly using the contact details below:
State Board: Minnesota Board of Dentistry
Phone: (612) 617-2250
Website: http://mn.gov/boards/dentistry
Dental Hygienist Salary in Minnesota
| Salary | $72,850 |
| Hourly Wage | $35.03 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $56,720 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $92,710 |
| # Employed | 5,090 |
The average dental hygienist salary in Minnesota is $72,850 – 2% below the national average of $74,680.
This represents an hourly wage of $35.03.
There are currently 5,090 persons employed as dental hygienists in the state.
Minnesota Dental Hygienist Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
It is a great time to train to become a dental hygienist in Minnesota given the strong salary levels and jobs growth for the career.
Dental hygiene salaries are among some of the highest in the healthcare industry and it is projected that an additional 30,000 positions will be created in the sector between 2016 and 2024 representing an almost 15% increase in employment.
The table below provides a breakdown of salaries and employment of dental hygienists across the main towns, cities and non metro areas in Minnesota;
Area Number Employed Salary
Duluth, MN-WI 270 $60,780.00
Mankato-North Mankato, MN 70 $64,260.00
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 3300 $72,850.00
Rochester, MN 190 $67,550.00
St. Cloud, MN 200 $70,950.00
Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area 220 $65,170.00
Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area 50 $63,900.00
Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area 170 $68,090.00
Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area 220 $65,980.00
Related Healthcare Career Comparisons in Minnesota
The table below provides a comparison between income and employment of dental hygienists and related healthcare careers in Minnesota;
| Career | Number Employed | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienists | 1080 | $55,110.00 |
| Dental Assistants | 2170 | $30,830.00 |
| Surgical Technologists | 1220 | $38,070.00 |
| Medical Assistants | 2340 | $28,830.00 |
| Phlebotomists | 810 | $26,330.00 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 480 | $32,020.00 |
***Page Updated October 2018***