Understanding Minnesota’s New Paid Break Law: What Dental Practices Need to Know

Minnesota’s updated meal and rest break requirements, effective January 1, 2026, represent one of the most significant changes to the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act (MFLSA) in years. These updates clarify minimum break times and require employers to rethink how they structure the workday. This has ruffled feathers in dental practices, where schedules are tight and patient care is continuous. 

Beginning January 1, 2026, Minnesota employers must provide qualifying employees a paid rest break of at least 15 minutes that: 

  • Must occur within each four consecutive hours worked 

  • Must be paid if under 20 minutes 

  • Intended for restroom use and general rest 

The MFLSA applies to “employees,” but Minnesota Statutes 177.23, subdivision 6 excludes certain categories, such as professionals, from the definition of “employee” for break‑law purposes. 

According to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, professionals are not covered by the meal and rest break requirements. 

In a dental practice, this means:

How Practices Can Incorporate the Change 

Consolidate Breaks into a 1-hour lunch 

  • 15 minute paid rest break 

  • 30 minute unpaid meal break 

  • 15 minute paid rest break  

  • All scheduled together as a 1 hour block 

**This is often the easiest solution for dental practices already using a 1 hour lunch. 

Stagger Front Office Breaks 

  • Ensure coverage for phones, check-ins, and insurance calls 

  • Rotate breaks so no one is left without support 

Maintain Current Clinical Scheduling 

  • Because clinical staff are exempt, you do not need to build 15 minute breaks into patient schedules.  

A helpful way to implement the new break expectations is to hold a team meeting and ask whether everyone feels they get adequate time for restroom breaks and, if not, how the team can resolve it together. It is important to document that the meeting occurred, that break expectations were reviewed, and that any schedule adjustments were discussed. This conversation also creates an opportunity to connect with staff on a human level, reinforcing trust, respect, and teamwork while ensuring everyone feels supported in the demands of their daily work. 

*Blog was written 1/1/26 and does not include developments or clarifications on the topic that transpired after. 

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