Hennepin Technical College Unveils New Dental Assistant Training Facility

Hennepin Technical College cut the ribbon on a new, expanded dental assistant training facility in Brooklyn Park, which the school hopes will help address a shortage of dental assistants.

The $1 million facility has state-of-the-art equipment and replicates an actual dentist’s office.

“Having a brand new facility to teach in is great for us and our students. We’re probably one of the most up-to-date facilities in the entire state at this point with technology and equipment,” said Jackie Bymark, a dental assistant faculty member who helped pursue funding for the project. “It really is like stepping into a newly renovated dental clinic.”

Delta Dental of Minnesota provided a grant to help fund the new equipment and added training space.

Hennepin Technical College and Delta Dental of Minnesota held a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

The addition will allow the college to double the number of students enrolled in its dental assistant program. Twenty-four students were previously enrolled, but another 24 started the program on Tuesday.

Bymark says the dental assistant shortage is still being felt at your local dentist’s office.

“We get calls, emails and messages on a daily basis from dental offices looking to fill vacancies,” said Bymark. “When you’re short, you can’t see as many patients in a day.”

Brooklyn Park