By. Dr. Elizabeth Eggert
If you’re excited by the idea of helping people improve their oral health, working closely with patients, and entering a respected healthcare profession, dental hygiene could be a great fit for you. Dental hygienists play a key role in preventive dental care—cleaning teeth, assessing oral health, educating patients, and working side-by-side with dentists in offices, clinics, and community health settings. To become a licensed dental hygienist in Minnesota, you’ll go through a structured educational process that includes foundational coursework, competitive program applications, and hands-on clinical training.
Start in High School: Courses and Skills That Set You Up for Success
Even before you graduate high school, you can begin preparing for dental hygiene programs. Taking strong science courses like biology with lab, chemistry, anatomy/physiology, and health sciences will give you a solid academic foundation for the biology and clinical coursework you’ll encounter later. Classes in English/communication, math, and psychology also help, since dental hygiene programs often include writing, patient communication, and statistics requirements at the college level. Although high school classes alone won’t let you enter most dental hygiene programs directly, they help you build the grades and study skills you’ll need for college prerequisites and competitive applications. Additionally, developing manual dexterity, attention to detail, and strong interpersonal communication skills now will serve you well once you begin clinical training and begin working with patients.
Choosing Between Degree Options: Associate vs. Bachelor’s
When you’re ready to enroll in a dental hygiene program, you’ll generally see two types of degrees available:
- Associate’s Degree (AAS or AS) – This is the most common pathway. It typically takes about two years of professional coursework after you complete prerequisite classes and leads directly to eligibility for licensure as a dental hygienist. These programs focus on clinical skills like assessments, cleanings, radiography, local anesthesia, and patient education. Century College+1
- Bachelor’s Degree (BSDH) – A bachelor’s degree usually involves a longer program with broader coursework, including general education and possibly research, leadership, or community health classes. A bachelor’s degree can expand your opportunities beyond clinical care, such as roles in education, public health, management, research, or advanced practice. Metropolitan State University+1 dentistry.umn.edu
Programs like Century College offer an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene with a dual admission track that connects you to a Bachelor of Science pathway with Metropolitan State University so you can plan ahead if you want the bachelor’s credential.
Applying to Programs Near Minneapolis–St. Paul
There are several reputable dental hygiene programs in or near the Twin Cities where you can begin your journey:
- Century College (White Bear Lake/St. Paul area) – Offers an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene that prepares you for licensure and includes clinical experience. They also partner with Metropolitan State for bachelor’s options. Century College
- Normandale Community College (Bloomington area) – Provides an Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene with an option to transition into a bachelor’s degree through collaboration with Metropolitan State University. normandale-prod.azurewebsites.net
- Herzing University (Minneapolis) – Offers a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program on campus in Minneapolis that includes hands-on labs, clinical experience, and preparation for licensure. Herzing University
- University of Minnesota School of Dentistry – Delivers a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene (accelerated 3-year format) with a competitive admission process and an annual cohort of students. dentistry.umn.edu
To apply, you’ll typically submit a general college application first, then a program-specific application with prerequisites completed (often anatomy, biology, chemistry, communication, and social sciences) and, at some schools, additional materials like essays or interviews.
Advantages of a Dental Hygiene Career and What It Takes
Becoming a dental hygienist offers many advantages. You’ll enter a growing healthcare field with strong job demand, frequent opportunities in private practices and community settings, meaningful patient interaction, and competitive wages. Dental hygienists have the chance to make a direct impact on patients’ oral and overall health while working in a profession that values professional autonomy, education, and preventive care.
To thrive in this career, you’ll want to be detail-oriented, compassionate, and comfortable working closely with patients. Strong communication skills, the ability to work as part of a healthcare team, and manual dexterity for clinical tasks are all attributes that help dental hygienists succeed. With the right preparation and a commitment to your education, you can move from high school aspirations to a rewarding career in oral health.