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Becoming a Dental Assistant in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Dental assistants in Saint Paul get the benefit of living in one of the best areas in the Midwest. Saint Paul and its neighboring city, Minneapolis, make up the largest metropolitan area in the state and are often referred to as the Twin Cities. Located around the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix rivers in east central Minnesota, Saint Paul is the state capital and was rated as the 6th most-livable city in the US in 2019 due to its low cost of living.

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Dental Assistant Schools in Saint Paul

While dental assistants in Minnesota may train on the job, to qualify as a licensed dental assistant (LDA) the state has further educational requirements. If your goal is to acquire an LDA certification, consider these accredited programs in the Twin Cities:

  • Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC). Located in downtown Minneapolis, MCTC has a large and well-equipped campus near the Basilica of Saint Mary on Hennepin Avenue. They offer several programs for dental assistants, including a three-semester program designed for future LDAs. Their courses offer a mix of class and clinic experience and include everything you need to qualify for your LDA license. Upon completion of the program, you will have a diploma and be ready to sit for the licensing examinations.
  • Hennepin Technical College (HTC). HTC offers several programs for dental assistants at their Brooklyn Park campus just north of Minneapolis. The shorter program is geared toward people who want to become a dental assistant or pursue their LDA certification. Their longer, two-year associate’s degree program is designed for students who plan to continue their education to higher levels. After graduation, you will be ready for an entry-level position in a dental office and be qualified to sit for the LDA exams.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there were 3,650 dental assistants working in Saint Paul in 2017. The field is expected to increase another 8.3 percent by 2026, so dental assistants in this region can expect to find many job opportunities.

Dental assistants in Saint Paul make an average of $24.33 per hour, which is above the national average. A full-time dental assistant can expect to make approximately $50,610 annually.

Working as a Dental Assistant in Saint Paul

Minnesota is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” and the state enjoys a great deal of natural beauty. Dental assistants in Saint Paul enjoy beautiful, green summers and snowy winters, and life in the metro area is always exciting. You can take in a game at the Xcel Energy Center, where the Minnesota Wild hockey team plays, or head to the Science Museum of Minnesota. The city is filled with great restaurants and local shops, and with the cost of living being so low you can afford to enjoy yourself.