Minnesota Requirements

Each state in America has requirements for licensure. The state of Minnesota legislates specific criteria for professionals in the field of dental assistance. The following information is from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)

Definitions

Radiography Requirements

To legally operate dental X-ray equipment and perform dental radiographic procedures in Minnesota, a dental assistant must obtain a limited radiology registration. To register, an applicant must:

1. Provide evidence of having completed a board-approved course on dental radiology offered through a CODA-accredited school; AND

2. Pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam or other board-approved nationally recognized radiation exam within the last 5 years; AND

3 Pass the MN jurisprudence exam within the last 5 years; AND

4 Provide proof of current CPR certification; AND

5 Submit to a criminal background check; AND

6. Submit an application to the MN Board of Dentistry and pay the accompanying fee.

Dental Assistant Requirements

A dental assistant in Minnesota may perform basic supportive dental procedures specified by the State Dental Practice Act under the supervision of a licensed dentist or dental therapist.

The dentist is responsible for ensuring that the assistant:

Completes and maintains consecutive and current CPR certification, AND
Complies with the most current infection control practices for a dental setting.

Licensed Dental Assistant Requirements

To earn status as a Licensed Dental Assistant in Minnesota, dental assistants must:

1. Pass the national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam within the last five years, AND

2a. Graduate from a MN CODA-accredited dental assisting program, or

2b. Graduate from a CODA-accredited program in a state other than MN and, upon MN Board review of curriculum, complete additional coursework, AND

3. Pass the MN Dental Assistant State Licensing exam (formerly known as the MN Registration exam) within the last five years, AND

4. Pass the MN Jurisprudence Exam within the last five years, AND

5. Provide proof of current CPR certification, AND

6. Submit to a criminal background check, AND

7. Apply for licensure to the MN Board of Dentistry.

All licensed dental assistants must maintain a consecutive and current certificate in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) at the BLS level.

Note: A dental assistant who received and maintained registration in MN before Jan. 1, 2010, can continue to practice as a licensed dental assistant without completing any further requirements. The licensed dental assistant must submit the fee for an original license to the MN board at the time of renewal.

To perform restorative procedures limited to placing, contouring, and adjusting amalgam restorations, glass ionomers, and supragingival composite restorations (class I, II, and V) where the margins are entirely within the enamel, and adapting and cementing stainless steel crowns, Licensed Dental Assistant must have completed an MN Board of Dentistry-approved course in these functions and have submitted proof of completion to the MN Board of Dentistry.

Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) with Collaborative Practice Authorization Requirements

A Licensed Dental Assistant may be employed or retained by a health care facility, program, or nonprofit organization to perform specified dental assisting services without the patient first being examined by a licensed dentist, without a dentist’s diagnosis or treatment plan, and without the dentist being present at the location where the services are being performed, if the Licensed Dental Assistant has:

1. Entered into a collaborative agreement with a licensed dentist, which must be part of a collaborative agreement established between a licensed dentist and a dental hygienist, that designates authorization for the services being provided by the dental assistant

AND