MINNESOTA’S ORAL
HEALTH WORKFORCE
2012-2014
October 2015
2
Index
Background Info
About this data
4-12
Dentists
4-5
Education
6-9
Certification/Specialty
Additional Professional
Information
10-12
Population to Dentist Ratio
All Oral Health Professions
12-30
Future Plans
13-14
Employment and hours worked
Regional Distributions
15-16
Type of establishment
Demographics
17-21
Rural/urban by age
Key employment data
22-25
Summary of Findings
26-29
Policy prescriptions
30
Reference Maps
Overall data by profession
Expanded staff roles
Time spent
31-52
32
33
34-36
37-40
41-44
45-48
49
50
51-52
3
Index
Dental Therapists
53-63
Education
54
Licensure time
55
Future Plans
56
Employment and hours worked
Dental Assistants
80-94
Education
81-82
Future Plans
83-86
57-59
Employment and hours
worked
87-89
Type of establishment
60
Type of establishment
90
DT activities
61-62
Time spent
91-94
Dual licensure and dental
assistant supervision
Dental Hygienists
63
64-79
Education
65-66
Future Plans
67-70
Employment and hours worked
71-73
Type of establishment
74-75
Hygienist activities
76-77
Collaborative
agreement/restorative function
78-79
4
About this data
• The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is authorized to collect workforce
information from licensed health professionals at the time of license renewal as
directed in Minnesota Statues section 144.051-144-052. MDH’s Workforce Analysis
Program collects workforce data in partnership with the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.
The data presented here are from the Board’s administrative data and MDH’s
workforce survey.
• Dentist, dental hygienist and dental assistant surveys were administered during 2012
and 2013 as providers renewed their licenses. Dental therapists, a newly licensed
provider in Minnesota, were surveyed between October and November 2014 through
an online process separate from their license renewal and received reminders to
complete the survey.
5
About this data
• Survey response rates are based on the total number of active licenses for each
profession compared to the number of survey respondents. Anyone who is renewing
their license is eligible to complete the survey and new applicants are excluded.
• Dentist: 34%
• Dental Therapists: 83%
• Dental Hygienists: 41%
• Dental Assistants: 43%
• Data presented is based on those responding to each question. The number and
percent of respondents who skipped questions are noted throughout the document.
Some questions were also only asked if respondents met certain criteria so the totals
may differ across questions. These counts are also noted.
6
Reference maps
7
Minnesota rural-urban commuting areas
(RUCAs)
8
Minnesota rural-urban commuting areas
(RUCAs) cont.
• Rural-Urban Commuting Areas (RUCAs) are the main way this report
looks at data by geographic region.
• RUCAs measure the “rurality” of a location based on population size,
commuting distance, and driving time to larger population centers.
• More information about RUCAs can be found on the MDH website at:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/orhpc/define.html
9
Minnesota planning regions
10
Additional profession information
• For more information on oral health professions see: https://www.mndental.org/careers/
• Minnesota law informs roles, responsibilities and scope of practice. See Minnesota
Dentistry Practice Statutes for details: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=150A
• For information on licensing and other requirements for all oral health professions, see
the Minnesota Board of Dentistry: http://mn.gov/health-licensing-boards/dentistry/
• Dental Therapist: In 2009, the Minnesota legislature authorized a new oral health
profession called dental therapists (DT) that practice as part of a dental team to provide
educational, clinical and therapeutic services, including non-complicated restorations
and extractions. Dental therapists are designed to be mid-level practitioners. They can
operate more independently than other oral health professionals to do simple
extractions and treatment of patients. They can also supervise up to four dental
assistants. An advanced dental therapist (ADT) certification can be obtained to allow for
additional complex and independent work. Dental therapists primarily practice in
settings serving low-income, uninsured and underserved patients, or in areas
designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) for dental care to help
expand care to the underserved.
11
Additional professional information
• Dental Hygienist: Minnesota has two different efforts supported by legislation to help
expand the scope of work of hygienists to fill more gaps in the oral health needs of
Minnesotans. One is a collaborative agreement which allows them to work off site and
provide services in locations such as schools, nursing homes, and other clinics that
may not have dental services. Additionally, they may obtain a Restorative Procedures
credential allowing them perform any restorative procedures as authorized under
Minnesota law (M.S. § 150A.10, Subd. 4). This may include: place, contour, and adjust
amalgam restorations, glass ionomers, class I and V supragingival composite
restorations, and adapt and cement stainless steel crowns).
• Dental Assistant: Dental assistants may also obtain a Restorative Procedures
credential allowing them perform any restorative procedures as authorized under
Minnesota law (M.S. § 150A.10, Subd. 4). This may include: place, contour, and adjust
amalgam restorations, glass ionomers, class I and V supragingival composite
restorations, and adapt and cement stainless steel crowns).
12
MINNESOTA’S ORAL
HEALTH WORKFORCE
13
Minnesota’s oral health workforce
Source: Board of Dentistry, December 2013. Includes all professionals who have an active license and report practicing in
Minnesota (“Active Practice In State.” N=12,961). Of these, 5,819 were dental assistants; 4,101 were dental hygienists; 3,013
were dentists, and 27 were dental therapists.
14
Practice status of all oral health providers
Actively
Licensed
and
PracticingIn State
Actively
Licensed
and
PracticingOut of State
Actively
Licensed
but Not
PracticingIn State*
Actively
Licensed
and Not
PracticingOut of
State*
Total
Dental Assistants
5,819
179
1,284
44
7,326
Dental Hygienists
4,101
421
943
76
5,541
Dental Therapists
27
0
2
0
29
Dentists
3,013
421
559
34
4,027
All Professions
12,960
1,021
2,788
154
16,923
Profession
Note: 51 Dental Therapists were licensed in Minnesota as of 10/1/2015.
Source: Minnesota Board of Dentistry, December 2013 for dentists, dental hygienist and dental assistants. Dental Therapists as
of October 2014 and 2015.
* “Actively licensed and not practicing” professionals include those oral health providers that opt to maintain their professional
license but are not practicing for a variety of reasons (e.g., retirement; working in another field; or temporarily out of the labor
market for various reasons).
15
Rural-urban distribution of all oral health
providers in MN
Type of Area
Isolated
Small Rural
Large Rural
Urban
Dental
Dental
Dental
Assistants Hygienists Therapists
(N=5,594)
(N=3,864)
(N=26)
Dentists
(N=2,885)
Minnesota
U.S.
Population, Population,
2010
2010
7%
6%
8%
4%
10%
5%
6%
6%
4%
6%
7%
5%
11%
10%
4%
10%
13%
10%
76%
78%
85%
80%
70%
80%
Source: Minnesota Board of Dentistry, December 2013. Includes all providers who have an active license and report practicing in
Minnesota and had a valid Minnesota mailing address. Does not include providers who report active practice in Minnesota with an
out of state mailing address. Population distribution information for Minnesota and the U.S. comes from MDH calculations, and
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, AHRQ Pub No. 12-P001-4-EF, respectively.
16
Regional distribution of oral health professionals
Northeast
Dental
Assistants
(N=5,594)
5.3%
Dental
Hygienists
(N=3,864)
6.0%
Dental
Therapists
(N=26)
0.0%
Dentists
(N=2,885)
6.3%
Minnesota
Population,
2013
6%
Northwest
9.1%
8.0%
7.7%
7.8%
10%
Central
16.8%
13.1%
7.7%
9.7%
13%
Minneapolis/St. Paul
53.7%
56.7%
69.2%
61.7%
54%
Southeast
8.4%
9.7%
7.7%
8.7%
9%
Southwest
6.8%
6.4%
7.7%
5.4%
7%
Minnesota
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
Minnesota Region
Source: Minnesota Board of Dentistry, December 2013. Includes all providers who have an active license and report practicing in
Minnesota and had a valid Minnesota mailing address. Does not include providers who report active practice in Minnesota with an
out of state mailing address. Population distribution information for Minnesota comes from MDH calculations and the Minnesota
State Demographer’s Office 2013 Population Estimates: http://mn.gov/admin/demography/data-by-topic/population-data/ourestimates/index.jsp
17
Age distribution of oral health providers
Source: Minnesota Board of Dentistry, December 2013. Includes all professionals who have an active license and report practicing
in Minnesota.
18
Gender of oral health providers, by
profession
Source: Minnesota Board of Dentistry, December 2013. Includes all professionals who have an active license and report actively
practicing in Minnesota.
19
Female dentists by age
Source: Minnesota Board of Dentistry, December 2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and report actively
practicing in Minnesota (N=3,013).
20
Race of oral health providers
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all providers who have an active license, report
actively practicing in Minnesota, and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal. Between 5 and 8
percent of survey respondents (depending on profession) did not answer the survey question on race.
21
Ethnicity of oral health providers
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all providers who have an active license, report
actively practicing in Minnesota, and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal. Anywhere from 5
to 8 percent of survey respondents (depending on profession) did not answer the survey question on ethnicity.
22
Average hours worked per week
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all providers who have an active license, report
actively practicing in Minnesota, who are currently employed in the oral health field and who responded to the MDH workforce
survey during their license renewal. Anywhere from 0 to 34 percent of survey respondents (depending on profession) did not
answer the survey question on hours worked, with dentists having the highest percent missing.
23
Future plans to practice in Minnesota
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all providers who have an active license, report
actively practicing in Minnesota, and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal. Anywhere from
zero to three percent didn’t respond to the question.
24
Planning to work 5 years or less in
Minnesota: reasons by profession
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all providers who have an active license, report
actively practicing in Minnesota, and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal. Anywhere from 0
to 17 percent of survey respondents (depending on profession) did not answer the survey question on reasons planning to work 0
to 5 years.
25
Pipeline data: Minnesota education
programs
2012-2013 graduates by
program type
Over 1 and under 4
years
4 years
Graduate Level
Total
383
-
-
383
194
86
3
283
-
-
133
133
Dental Assistant
Dental Hygienist
Dentist
Dental Therapy
Graduates
2011
University of
Minnesota
9
Metropolitan
State/Normandale
7
Annual Total
16
Cumulative
Total
16
2012
9
-
9
25
2013
9
4
13
38
2014
9
5
14
52
2015
6
-
6
58
2016 (est.)
8
12
20
Source: Table 1: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, LMI Wise, 2015. Dashes indicate education level doesn’t apply to profession. Table 2: University
of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Karl Self 2015.
26
Summary of Findings
• Numbers of providers. There were 2,894 dentists, 26 dental therapists, 3,866 dental
hygienists, and 5,598 dental assistants actively licensed and practicing in Minnesota
during the time frame this report covers (2012-2014). (Note that 13 percent of dentists
reported earning a specialty certification in orthodontics, oral surgery, and other fields.)
• Geographic distribution. Minnesota’s oral health professionals are concentrated in
the metropolitan areas of the state. Seventy-six percent of dentists are working in areas
classified as “urban” (compared to 70 percent of the state’s population). In urban areas,
there is one dentist for every 1,676 people, while in “isolated rural” areas (the least
populated areas of the state), the ratio is one dentist for every 3,853 people. Trends are
similar for dental therapists: 85 percent are employed in urban areas, compared to just
eight percent in isolated rural areas.
• Age. Among all oral health providers, dentists are the oldest group. Nearly half—43
percent—of actively practicing dentists are 55 or older. Rural dentists are slightly older
than dentists in urban areas of the state. Dental hygienists and assistants are a
significantly younger group, but dental therapists are the youngest of the four, with
more than half age 34 or younger.
27
Summary of Findings
• Gender. The majority of dental assistants, hygienists and therapists are female.
Dentistry, on the other hand, is still a male-dominated occupation, with nearly three of
every four dentists a male. However, dentistry is among the fastest-feminizing
professions in healthcare. With each successively younger age group the share of
female dentists has grown, and among dentists 34 years and under, females
outnumber males. Depending on gender differences in career trajectories, this
demographic shift could have significant implications on the field as a whole.
• Race and ethnicity. In general, the oral health professions remain overwhelmingly
white and non-Hispanic in Minnesota. Dental therapists are a slightly more diverse
group of professionals, with over ten percent of providers indicating that they were
more than one race, and just under five percent indicating that they were Hispanic.
• Education. The oral health workforce primarily operates in a state, not a national, labor
market. Three out of four practicing Minnesota dentists earned their dental degree from
the University of Minnesota; likewise, 100 percent of dental therapists, 85 percent of
dental hygienists, and 98 percent of dental assistants were trained in Minnesota.
28
Summary of Findings
• Work hours. Dentists work an average of 34 hours per week. The other professions
working with them have similar work weeks. The majority of oral health providers report
that they are working their desired number of hours, but approximately one in five oral
health professionals (excluding dentists) say they would like to work more hours than
they currently do. This indicates underutilized provider capacity to meet the oral health
needs of the state.
• Establishment types. The majority of oral health providers work in small
establishments—either a solo private practice or a small group private practice. Fortysix percent of male dentists work in their own solo practice compared to 26 percent of
female dentists—a trend worth watching as the share of female dentists grow.
Additionally, younger dentists are practicing more in small or large group private
practices than dentists 55 and older who tend to practice in solo private practices.
It is also worth nothing that more than one out of every three dental therapists is
employed in a non-profit clinic.
29
Summary of Findings
• Future plans. When asked about their future employment, only 55 percent of dentists
indicated that they planned to continue working more than 10 years, compared to 64
percent of dental hygienists, 65 percent of dental assistants, and 74 percent of dental
therapists. This is almost certainly a reflection of the age of the dentist workforce. The
majority who planned to leave the field within five years indicated that they were leaving
to retire.
• Rural Dentists. Rural areas of the state are at the greatest risk of serious future
shortages of dentists: approximately one-third of rural dentists indicated that they
planned to leave the profession within five years or less (to retire, most indicated).
Interestingly, however, rural dental hygienists may have greater longevity in the field:
just six percent indicate they plan to practice less than five years.
30
Policy Prescriptions
• Oral health professional shortage concerns are concentrated in isolated and
small rural areas. Focusing efforts on new ways of better serving people in
these areas could bring benefits.
• As younger dentists are working less in solo private practice, efforts to
support or transition solo practices as dentists retire, especially in rural areas,
could be of value.
• When considering solutions to a rural dentistry shortage, it is worth noting the
expanded roles that hygienists may play in providing oral health care.
Hygienists working under collaborative agreements with dentists can provide
care with less oversight from dentists, work from non-traditional settings or
have other expanded responsibilities. This can widen dental services settings
and increase services available.
• Efforts to support the dental therapy profession could be worthwhile. As the
dental therapist profession grows, they can help fill gaps for the underserved
(as intended by legislation) and support the long term oral health needs of
Minnesotans.
31
Dentists
32
Education: earned degree from the University of
Minnesota
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Data includes all dentists who have an active license,
report actively practicing in Minnesota, and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=1,381).
Just under three percent of dentists who completed the survey did not respond to the question about where they earned their
dental degree (N=39).
33
Certification/specialty of Minnesota
dentists
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. All dentists who have an active license, report actively
practicing in Minnesota, and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=1,381). Just over three
percent of dentists did not respond to the survey question about certifications (N=43).
34
Population-to-dentist ratio by rural-urban
regions
•
Population to practitioner ratio is one indicator of oral health care access. Isolated areas of the state have the highest
population to dentist ratio, which decreases as the population size of an area grows. Large and small rural areas
have very similar population to dentist ratios.
• These ratios do not necessarily indicate shortages. They do not take into account the other professional (such as
dental hygienists and assistants) that dentists work with to provide patient care. There are also official shortage
areas designated in the state. These areas have a number of different calculations used and relate to specific
federal government programs.
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and
report practicing in Minnesota and who reported a valid Minnesota mailing address (N=2,885).
35
National trends: dentists per 100,000
population
Source: American Dental Association Supply of Dentists. Reported data are based on the American Dental Association (ADA)
Masterfile, 2015.
36
Dentists per 100,000 population
• Comparing overall trends to Minnesota data indicates possible concern in the more
rural populations of Minnesota, especially in the isolated areas.
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and
report practicing in Minnesota and who reported a valid Minnesota mailing address (N=2,885).
37
Dentist’s future plans to practice in
Minnesota
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and
report practicing in Minnesota (N=1,381). Just over three percent of dentists did not respond to the survey question about future
plans (N=45). Survey question: “If you are currently practicing as a dentist in Minnesota, how many more years do you plan to
practice in Minnesota?”
38
Future plans of dentists in Minnesota by
gender
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and
report practicing in Minnesota (N=1,381). Just over three percent of dentists did not respond to the survey question about future
plans (N=45). Survey question: “If you are currently practicing as a dentist in Minnesota, how many more years do you plan to
practice in Minnesota?”
39
Future plans of dentists in Minnesota by
region
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license, report a
Minnesota mailing address, and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=1,342). Just over
three percent of dentists did not respond to the survey question about future plans (N=52). Survey question: “If you are currently
practicing as a dentist in Minnesota, how many more years do you plan to practice in Minnesota?”
40
Reason planning to work 5 years or less
as a dentist in Minnesota
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and
report practicing in Minnesota and answered the future plans question with 5 years or less (N=305). Just over five percent did not
respond to the reasons question (N=17).
41
Current employment status of dentists
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license, report a
Minnesota mailing address, and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=1,381).
42
Employment status of dentists by region
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and
report practicing in Minnesota and who reported a valid Minnesota mailing address (N=1,342).
43
Average weekly hours worked
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and who
responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and are working in a paid position as a dentist (N=1,335). A
total of 453 dentists (34 percent) who completed the survey did not respond to the question about weekly hours worked.
44
Average weekly hours worked: age 65
and older
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists 65 and older who have an active
license and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and are working in a paid position as a
dentist (N=114). A total of 105 dentists 65 and older (52 percent) who completed the survey did not respond to the question about
weekly hours worked.
45
Type of establishment where dentists work
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and who
responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and are working in a paid position as a dentist (N=1,335). A
total of 80 dentists (6 percent) who completed the survey did not respond to this question. Survey question: “What type of practice
setting is this site?”
46
Type of establishment by age group
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and who
responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and are working in a paid position as a dentist (N=1,335). A
total of 80 dentists (6 percent) who completed the survey did not respond to this question. Small group is 2-4 dentists and large
group is 5 or more. Survey question: “What type of practice setting is this site?” Less than 1 percent have an unknown age.
47
Type of establishment by gender
Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and who
responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and are working in a paid position as a dentist (N=1,335). A
total of 80 dentists (6 percent) who completed the survey did not respond to this question. Small group is 2-4 dentists and large
group is 5 or more. Survey question: “What type of practice setting is this site?”
48
Type of establishment by region
Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and who
responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and are working in a paid position as a dentist and have a
valid Minnesota address (N=1,299). A total of 80 dentists (6 percent) who completed the survey did not respond to this question.
Small group is 2-4 dentists and large group is 5 or more. Survey question: “What type of practice setting is this site?”
49
Rural-urban location by age group
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and who
responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and are working in a paid position as a dentist and have a
valid Minnesota address (N=1,299).
50
Expanded roles as reported by dentists
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license, report
practicing in Minnesota (“active practicing in state”), who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal,
and who report a Minnesota mailing address (N=1,342). Three percent of dentists are missing (N=39).
51
Percent of time spent on patient care
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and who
responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and are working in a paid position as a dentist (N=1,335). A
total of 157 dentists (12 percent) who completed the survey did not respond to this question.
52
Percent of time spent on administrative
work
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dentists who have an active license and who
responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and are working in a paid position as a dentist (N=1,335). A
total of 157 dentists (12 percent) who completed the survey did not respond to this question.
53
Dental Therapists
54
Educational attainment of dental
therapists
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2014. Includes all dental therapists who have an active license,
report practicing in Minnesota, and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=23).
55
Amount of time dental therapists have
been licensed
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2014. Includes all dental therapists who have an active license,
report practicing in Minnesota, and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal. Based on original
license date compared to survey launch date (N=23).
56
Dental therapists’ future plans to practice
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2014. Includes all dental therapists who have an active license,
report practicing in Minnesota, and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=23). Survey
question: If you are currently practicing as a DT or ADT, how many more years do you plan to practice?”
57
Current employment status of dental
therapists
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2014. Includes all dental therapists who have an active license,
report practicing in Minnesota, and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=23).
58
Hours dental therapists work per week
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2014. Includes all dental therapists who have an active license,
report practicing in Minnesota, who responded to the MDH workforce survey and were working in a paid position as a dental
therapist (N=19).
59
Comparison of actual hours to wanted
hours
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2014. Includes all dental therapists who have an active license,
report practicing in Minnesota, who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal, and working in a paid
position as a dental therapist (N=19).
60
Type of establishment where dental
therapists work
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2014. Includes all dental therapists who have an active license,
report practicing in Minnesota, and working in a paid position as a dental therapist (N=19). Survey question: “Which of the
following categories best describes the location where you work the most hours?”
61
Dental therapists activities in a typical
week
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2014. Includes all dental therapists who have an active license,
report practicing in Minnesota, and working in a paid position as a dental therapist (N=19).
62
Percent of time spent on restorative work
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2014. Includes all dental therapists who have an active license,
report practicing in Minnesota, who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal, and working in a paid
position as a dental therapist (N=19).
63
Dental therapist dual licensure and dental
assistant supervision
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2014. Includes all dental therapists who have an active license,
report practicing in Minnesota, who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal, and working in a paid
position as a dental therapist (N=19).
64
Dental Hygienists
65
Education: earned degree from a program in
Minnesota
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license and
who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=2,248). A total of 53 hygienists who completed the
survey did not respond to this question (or approximately 2.4 percent of all survey respondents).
66
Educational attainment of dental
hygienists
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license and
who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=2,248). A total of 51 hygienists who completed the
survey did not respond to this question (or approximately 2.3 percent of all survey respondents).
67
Dental hygienist’s future plans to practice in Minnesota
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license and
who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=2,248). A total of 50 hygienists who completed the
survey did not respond to this question (or approximately 2.2 percent of all survey respondents). Survey question: “If you are
currently practicing as a dental hygienist in Minnesota, how many more years do you plan to practice in Minnesota?”
68
Plans for future practice as a dental
hygienist by region
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license and
who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and have a valid Minnesota address (N=2,146). Of
those with a valid Minnesota address, 50 did not answer the question on future plans (2 percent). “If you are currently practicing as
a dental hygienist in Minnesota, how many more years do you plan to practice in Minnesota?”
69
Reason planning to work 5 years or less
in Minnesota as a dental hygienist
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license and
who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and plan to work 0 to 5 years (N=2,248). A total of 17
hygienists who completed the survey did not respond to this question (or approximately 5.6 percent of all respondents to the
previous question).
70
Plans for future practice as a dental hygienist by plans
to enroll in a dental therapy program
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license and
who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=2,248). A total of 50 hygienists who completed the
survey did not respond to their future plans (2 percent of all survey respondents). A total of 48 hygienists who completed the
survey did not respond to plans to train as a dental therapist (2 percent of all survey respondents). “If you are currently practicing
as a dental hygienist in Minnesota, how many more years do you plan to practice in Minnesota?”
71
Current employment status of dental hygienists
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license, who
responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=2,248).
72
Hours dental hygienists worked per week
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license and
who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and are currently employed as a hygienist (N=2,093). A
total of 118 hygienists did not respond to the hours worked questions (6 percent).
73
Comparison of actual hours to wanted
hours
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license and
who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and are currently employed as a hygienist (N=2,093). A
total of 118 hygienists did not respond to the hours worked questions (6 percent).
74
Type of establishment where dental
hygienists work
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license, who
responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal, and who are currently working as a dental hygienist
(N=2,093). A total of 181 hygienists did not respond to the work location question (8 percent). Survey question: “Which of the
following categories best describes the location where you work the most hours?”
75
Type of establishment by region
Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license, who
responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal, and who are currently working as a dental hygienist
(N=2,093). A total of 181 hygienists did not respond to the work location question (8 percent) and 94 (4 percent) don’t have a valid
Minnesota address. Survey question: “Which of the following categories best describes the location where you work the most
hours?”
76
Dental hygienist activities in a typical week
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license , who
responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal, and who are currently working as a dental hygienist
(N=2,093). A total of 298 hygienists did not respond to the time spent on work tasks question (14 percent).
77
Percent of time spent on patient care
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license , who
responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal, and who are currently working as a dental hygienist
(N=2,093). A total of 298 hygienists did not respond to the time spent on work tasks question (14 percent).
78
Dental hygienists who perform expanded
restorative functions
See slide 11 for more information on expanded restorative functions. Additionally, see these websites:
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=150a.10 and http://mchoralhealth.org/mn/collaborative-practice/
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license and
who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal, and who are currently working as a dental hygienist
(N=2,093). A total of 120 hygienists did not respond to the expanded restorative function question (6 percent). A total of 154
hygienists did not respond to the collaborative agreement question (7 percent).
79
Dental hygienists working under
collaborative agreements
See slide 11 for more information on collaborative agreements. Additionally, see these websites:
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=150a.10 and http://mchoralhealth.org/mn/collaborative-practice/
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all hygienists who have an active license and
who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal, and who are currently working as a dental hygienist
(N=2,093). A total of 154 hygienists did not respond to the collaborative agreement question (7 percent).
80
Dental Assistants
81
Education: earned degree from a program
in Minnesota
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=3,130). A total of 61 dental assistants did not
respond to the question (2 percent).
82
Educational attainment of dental
assistants
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=3,130). A total of 82 dental assistants did not
respond to the question (3 percent).
83
Dental assistants’ future plans to practice
in Minnesota
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=3,130). A total of 106 dental assistants did not
respond to the question (3 percent). Survey question: “If you are currently practicing as a dental assistant in Minnesota, how many
more years do you plan to practice in Minnesota?”
84
Reason planning to work 5 years or less
in Minnesota as a dental assistant
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and selecting 0 to 5 years more work in field
(N=329). A total of 24 dental assistants did not respond to the question (7 percent).
85
Future plans to enroll in a dental therapy
program
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=3,130). A total of 72 dental assistants did not
respond to the question (2 percent).
86
Planning to change jobs: future plans to
enroll in a dental therapy program
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=3,130). A total of 72 dental assistants did not
respond to the question (2 percent).
87
Current employment status of dental
assistants
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal (N=3,130).
88
Hours dental assistants worked per week
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and are employed in a paid position (N=2,893). A
total of 78 dental assistants did not respond to the question (3 percent).
89
Comparison of actual hours to wanted
hours
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and employed in a paid position (N=2,893). A total
of 207 dental assistants did not respond to the questions (7 percent).
90
Type of establishment where dental
assistants work
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and employed in a paid position (N=2,893). A total
of 257 dental assistants did not respond to the questions (9 percent). Survey question: “Which of the following best describes the
location where you work the most hours?”
91
Dental assistants activities in a typical
week
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and employed in a paid position (N=2,893). A total
of 500 dental assistants did not respond to the questions (17 percent).
92
Percent of time spent on patient care
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and employed in a paid position(N=2,893). A total
of 500 dental assistants did not respond to the questions (17 percent).
93
Percent of time spent on administrative
work
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and employed in a paid position(N=2,893). A total
of 500 dental assistants did not respond to the questions (17 percent).
94
Seventy-six percent or more of time on
administrative work: establishment type
Source: Minnesota Department of Health Workforce Survey, 2012-2013. Includes all dental assistants who have an active license
and who responded to the MDH workforce survey during their license renewal and employed in a paid position (N=220).One
dental assistant in the 76+ category did not respond to the establishment type question.