Different schools in Minnesota offer different programs for different courses. In this article, I will be discussing the best Dental Hygienist programs in Minnesota.
A dental hygienist is a licensed and qualified professional who promotes dental health by educating and creating awareness on the importance of dental health, treating and preventing tooth decay, cavities, and tooth loss, and examining individuals for signs of oral diseases.
A dental hygienist is also known as an oral hygienist and the term is used interchangeably to address them. They work in dental clinics and hospitals.
If you are interested in oral health and hygiene, adding Dental Hygiene to the list of the careers you want to pursue will be a good idea.
Moreover, the degree is faster to complete, in about 3 years you will become a licensed dental hygienist, and it is one of the in-demand careers with further future growth. It is also ranked among our top 22 list of low-stress jobs that pay well.
Dental hygienist programs are typically associate’s and bachelor’s degrees that take 3 and 4 years respectively to complete.
You can also find some certification programs as well which take about a few months. But to take it much further and become a professional, you can seek a master’s degree.
To gain these skills, you will have to get an education as a dental hygienist and get your license to start practicing.
Getting this education simply means enrolling into an accredited dental hygienist program either at an accredited higher institution.
Dental hygienist programs in the US are approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or CODA and if it is not, do not apply for that program.
You can start preparing yourself for this program by taking some free online dental courses and maybe get a job as a medical assistant, preferably in a dental clinic to gain hands-on experience and equally boost your chances when applying for a dental hygienist program in Minnesota.
Schools that offer the program are commonly referred to as dental hygienist schools and in this post, I have highlighted the ones in the US state of Minnesota for you to select from.
Without further ado, let’s move to the requirements for dental hygienist schools in Minnesota.
Requirements for Dental Hygienist schools in Minnesota
The Minnesota Board of Dentistry, which is responsible for regulating and licensing dental hygienists in Minnesota, will require you to meet specific education and exam requirements to be eligible for licensure.
To learn how to become a dental hygienist in Minnesota, complete these steps:
- Graduate from an Accredited Dental Hygiene School
- Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
- Take and Pass a Recognized Clinical Examination
- Take and Pass the Minnesota Jurisprudence Examination
- Apply for Licensure to Practice Dental Hygiene in Minnesota
- Maintain your Minnesota Dental Hygienist License
The average cost of dental hygienist schools in Minnesota
An associate degree will prepare you for entry-level work; it will take between 20 and 30 months to complete and will cost between $3,990 and $44,360 to complete, depending upon whether you attend a community college or a tech school.
Minnesota residents who attend a four-year bachelor’s degree program at a school that’s subsidized by public funding can expect to spend $18,500 on their dental hygiene education while those who go to a private college or university will spend up to $81,130.
If you’re interested in teaching or research, a master’s degree is the credential to possess. Master’s degree programs in dental hygiene take between one and two years to complete and cost between $24,120 and $74,480.
Best Dental hygienist programs in Minnesota
There are tons of programs/ degrees that one can pursue, but I will be listed specifically in this blog post, the best Dental hygienist programs in Minnesota alongside the schools that offer them.
- Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree programs in Dental Hygiene by the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene by Minnesota State University-Mankato, Mankato
- Bachelor of Science degree program in dental hygiene by Herzing University-Minneapolis, St. Louis Park
- Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene by Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Fergus Falls
- Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene by Lake Superior College, Duluth
- Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene by St Cloud Technical and Community College, Saint Cloud
- Associate of Science (AS) degree in Dental Hygiene by Normandale Community College, Bloomington
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) degree by Metropolitan State University, Saint Paul
- Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene by Rochester Community and Technical College, Rochester
- Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene by Century College, White Bear Lake
How to become a licensed dental hygienist in Minnesota
To get Minnesota Dental Board License, an applicant must be:
- At least 18 years old.
- A graduate of a dental school accredited by the American Dental Association Commission.
- Passed the following exams:
– Dental National Board Examination
– Minnesota Laws and Rules Examination
– ADEX Dental Licensing Examination
You need to pass the following exams to get the Minnesota Dental Board License:
- Dental National Board Examination
- Minnesota Laws and Rules Examination
- ADEX Dental Licensing Examination
To apply for the license, click here.
Now that we have known the best way to become a licensed Dental Hygienist, let’s move forward and talk about the dental hygienist programs in Minnesota.
Dental Hygienist programs in Minnesota
Having talked about the dental hygienist programs in Minnesota, their cost, requirements, and licensing let us now delve properly into the various best programs one can enroll in. I urge you to follow me closely as I list and explain them.
- Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree programs in Dental Hygiene by the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene by Minnesota State University-Mankato, Mankato
- Bachelor of Science degree program in dental hygiene by Herzing University-Minneapolis, St. Louis Park
- Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene by Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Fergus Falls
- Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene by Lake Superior College, Duluth
- Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene by St Cloud Technical and Community College, Saint Cloud
- Associate of Science (AS) degree in Dental Hygiene by Normandale Community College, Bloomington
- Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) degree by Metropolitan State University, Saint Paul
- Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene by Rochester Community and Technical College, Rochester
- Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene by Century College, White Bear Lake
1. Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree programs in Dental Hygiene by the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
The school is the only dental hygiene program in the state associated with a dental school. They offer programs at both the baccalaureate and Master of Science degree levels.
Their accelerated dental hygiene program enables students to earn their Bachelor of Science degree in three years, rather than completing a traditional four-year program.
Admissions Requirements into the program of choice are as follows;
- All prerequisites must be a minimum of three (3) credits
- To be considered for admission into the Dental Hygiene program, applicants must have:
- Minimum of 2.8 cumulative GPA
- Minimum 2.5 prerequisite and science GPA
- Minimum C grade in all prerequisite courses
- The Division of Dental Hygiene requires all applicants who are non-native speakers of English to submit a TOEFL score of at least 94. The TOEFL must have been administered within two years before the date of application to the program.
2. Minnesota State University-Mankato, Mankato
The school has one of the few dental hygiene programs in Minnesota to offer a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Having a Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene will provide more options for job opportunities in the future.
The school also offers an online dental hygiene program for students who wish to find new career opportunities by completing their bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene online.
Their 100% online program allows students to set their schedule and proceed at their pace while gaining the support they need to finish their degree.
3. Bachelor of Science degree program in dental hygiene by Herzing University-Minneapolis, St. Louis Park
This school offers a Bachelor of Science degree program in dental hygiene. The program is accredited by CODA and also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
It takes three years to complete the program. Before divulging into the career, you must prepare to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and the Jurisprudence Exam (MN), which (upon successful completion) would provide you the opportunity to become a Licensed Dental Hygienist (LDH) in Minnesota.
120 credits must be obtained before I can be a graduate of the program.
The school also offers a dental hygiene bridge program from AS to BS online. The program lasts for a year and is built for licensed dental hygienists who hold a CODA-accredited associate degree in dental hygiene.
4. Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Fergus Falls
This school offers an associate in an applied science degree program in dental hygiene
This Dental Hygiene program prepares students to provide comprehensive dental hygiene care to diverse populations in a variety of settings.
Skills include direct patient care, patient assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, dental hygiene care planning, scaling, root planing, radiographs, preventive measures, sealants, local anesthetic administration, nitrous oxide sedation, and customized oral health education.
Students learn the skills to:
- Demonstrate clinical competence required to provide current comprehensive dental hygiene services
- Communicate effectively with patients, peers, and dental health team providers by utilizing professional written and oral communication
- Exhibit ethical behavior consistent with dental professional conduct
- Utilize current technology relevant to the dental profession
- Demonstrate basic dental office management skills
- Apply current concepts of infection control and occupational safety
The M State Dental Hygiene program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry and is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The program has been granted the accreditation status of Approval without Reporting Requirements.
5. Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene by Lake Superior College, Duluth
The school offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree program which lasts for two years if prerequisites are complete.
You will get hands-on experience working with patients in their on-site clinic. Learn the specific skills you’ll need to work in the practice of dental hygiene.
You’ll graduate with a thorough understanding of dental hygiene practices. You’ll leave ready to be licensed. Take the Dental Hygiene National Board Examination and the Central Regional Clinical Examination to get your license.
6. Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene by St Cloud Technical and Community College, Saint Cloud
The school offers an Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene. With a dental hygiene degree from SCTCC, students graduate as licensed primary healthcare professionals.
After learning skills in the classroom, students take the National Dental Hygiene Board exam, and the Central Regional Board exam, and upon completion, get a license in the state they want to practice in.
Dental hygienists work in clinical dental settings and provide preventative, educational, and therapeutic services to patients.
By promoting public health, dental hygienists help people learn the importance of dental health. Students in this program are exposed to blood-borne pathogens and while in the program they learn to follow CDC guidelines.
Graduates from our dental hygienist program are equipped with the skills to complete the necessary duties for the job. Graduates know how to complete patient assessments, clean teeth, take radiographs and dental images, apply fluoride treatments, provide periodontal therapy, and administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation.
7. Associate of Science (AS) degree in Dental Hygiene by Normandale Community College, Bloomington
Normandale Community College offers the Associate of Science (AS) degree in Dental Hygiene as a two-year program located within the health sciences division.
The dental hygiene coursework requires four semesters to complete and begins each fall semester. Graduates will be eligible to take the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, Central Regional Dental Testing Examination, and the Minnesota State Board of Dentistry Jurisprudence Examination for licensure in the State of Minnesota.
Following graduation and licensure requirements of the State Board of Dentistry, the dental hygienist becomes a primary healthcare professional, oral health educator, and clinician who may choose to work in a variety of settings.
8. Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) degree by Metropolitan State University, Saint Paul
This program provides associate degree dental hygienists from accredited institutions an opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (BSDH) degree.
All Dental Hygiene Department educational programs are based on academic excellence, and the values of community involvement, ethical conduct, and social responsibility.
The degree requirements for graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene include:
- A minimum of 120 semester credits are needed for a Minnesota State-granted baccalaureate degree. These credits will consist of:
- Transferable Associate Degree Dental Hygiene coursework
- Transferable General Education Liberal Studies (GELS) courses
- Required Metropolitan State University Dental Hygiene Major and GELS courses
- Required Metropolitan State University Racial Issues Graduation Requirement coursework
- Minimum of 30 credits completed at Metropolitan State University
- Minimum of 40 upper-division credits
9. Associate in Applied Science degree program in dental hygiene by Rochester Community and Technical College, Rochester
RCTC’s Dental Hygiene program is designed to provide academic and clinical educational opportunities for capable individuals to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for the professional practice of dental hygiene.
Admission into the Dental Hygiene program is competitive, a maximum of 16 students are admitted each year. Applicants are scored using a point system, and other criteria such as GPA. Points will only be awarded for courses completed with a “C” or better.
Admission to the program is primarily based on the total accumulation of points earned from completed classes before the admission deadline. Applicants must hold a raw science GPA of 2.5 and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, with a ‘C’ or higher grade in all required prerequisite courses. See Admission Requirements.
The program in Dental Hygiene is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation [and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements”].
10. Associate in Applied Science Degree in dental hygiene by Century College, White Bear Lake
This school offers an Associate in Applied Science Degree in dental hygiene.
The Dental Hygiene Program provides the knowledge and skills necessary to gain licensure and to practice as a dental hygienist.
Skills include direct patient care, patient assessment, dental hygiene care planning, scaling, root planing, radiographs, preventive measures, sealants, local anesthetic administration, nitrous oxide sedation, and customized oral health education for individuals and groups.
The program prepares you to take written and clinical licensing exams. The Dental Hygiene curriculum requires two consecutive academic years including one summer. Students will:
- Work on a professional dental team to provide high-quality patient care in a variety of settings including an onsite dental clinic
- Perform a wide range of patient procedures including patient assessment, x-rays, cleaning, and administering a local anesthetic
- Make a difference by promoting oral health for adults and children.
In conclusion, these dental hygienist programs and more are offered by different schools in Minnesota, as well as other programs and courses. You can make your choice and pursue a degree in any one of them.
Dental Hygienist programs in Minnesota – FAQs
[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”How long does it take to become a dental hygienist in Minnesota? ” answer-0=” An Associate Degree takes 20 – 30 Months A Bachelor’s Degree takes 4 – years A Master’s Degree takes Between 1 and 2 years ” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”What is the salary of a dental hygienist in Minnesota? ” answer-1=”According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average dental hygienist salary in Minnesota is Hourly $36.74, monthly $6,370, and $76,410 annually. ” image-1=”” headline-2=”h3″ question-2=” How many dental hygienist schools are in Minnesota? ” answer-2=”There are about 10 or more dental hygienist schools in Minnesota.” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”true” css_class=””]