Our Mission
- Provide training for dental and non-dental health professionals at all levels to promote better geriatric care
- Contribute new knowledge about geriatric oral health
- Improve community access to high quality dental care for older adults
Quick Links
Advanced & Graduate Education
The Oral Health Services for Older Adults (OHSOA) Program offers a one-year Clinical Fellowship certificate program to develop the clinical expertise of dentists and dental hygienists in providing care for older adults. A two-year MS-Dentistry degree in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Graduate School is also offered for those interested in further developing their leadership skills in geriatric dental or dental hygiene education, research or program administration. A Graduate Minor in Gerontology is also available in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation.
University of Minnesota Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation
About OHSOA and Resources
Facts about OHSOA
Education
- OHSOA educates over 200 other learners per year including students in dentistry, dental hygiene, as well as other health disciplines. Faculty regularly present at regional and national conferences and continuing education programs for dental and non-dental professionals.
- OHSOA's intensive continuing education program, The Miniresidency in Geriatrics and Long-term Care for the Dental Team, began in 1991 and has trained over 300 dental professionals from across the US and around the world.
- In collaboration with the MN Northstar GWEP, OHSOA released a comprehensive interactive online training program for dental professionals on dementia care that is now available nationwide: Creating a Dementia-friendly Dental Practice: An In-depth Training Program.
Community Outreach
From 2006-2023, OHSOA’s nationally recognized Walker Methodist Dental Clinic provided over 30,000 visits valued at over $4.4 million for older adults, including residents in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and the community-at-large. Grants from the MN Dept. of Health, Delta Dental Foundation of MN, the Otto Bremer Trust and Stevens Square Foundation supported development of this clinic, which received the 2016 Innovation Award from LeadingAge, representing over 6000 non-profit aging services organizations across the US.
Contributing New Knowledge
- Student and faculty research projects at affiliated community sites have generated numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at local, regional, and national meetings.
- Training and research grants have generated over $4.5 million in funding for OHSOA and its affiliates from sponsors including NIH, CDC, HRSA, state government, local foundations and industry.
- OHSOA collaborated with the MN Dental Association and MN Department of Labor to develop new Safe Patient Handling guidelines and educational materials for Minnesota dental practices.
- OHSOA student projects have earned top honors in student research award competitions, including three First Prize awards in the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry’s Kamen Student Research Competition.
Selected Bibliography
§Chen X, Caplan DJ, Comnick CL, Hartshorn J, Shuman SK†, Xie X-J. Development and validation of a nursing home mortality index to identify nursing home residents nearing the end of life in dental clinics. Spec Care Dentist 2023 Mar;43(2):125-135.
Shuman S†, Owen M†. Ethical Issues in Oral Health Care for Older Adults. Generations: Journal of the American Society on Aging 2016;40(3):70-78.
§Chen X, Chen H, Douglas C, Preisser JS, Shuman SK† Dental treatment intensity in frail older adults in the last year of life. J Am Dent Assoc 2013;144(11):1234-42. (Cover Story)
§Chen X, Clark JJ, Preisser JS, Naorungroj S, Shuman SK† Dental caries in older adults in the last year of life. J Am Geriatr Soc 2013;61(8):1345-50.
§Grover S*, Rhodus NL. Common medical conditions in elderly dental patients, Part One: Northwest Dent 2012 Sep-Oct; 91(5):29-35. Part Two: Northwest Dent 2012 Nov-Dec; 91(6):12-16.
§Chen X*, Clark JJ, Naorungroj S. Length of tooth survival in older adults with complex medical, functional and dental backgrounds. J Am Dent Assoc 2012 Jun;143(6):566-78. (Cover Story)
§Grover S*, Rhodus NL. Dental management of Parkinson’s disease. Northwest Dent 2011 Nov-Dec;90(6):13-19.
§Shuman S†, Simonson P†, Tschida B, Owen M†, Ofstehage J†, Glasrud P. Myths and facts about Minnesota's new safe patient handling statute and your dental practice. Northwest Dent 2011;90(4):13-16.
§Chen X*, Shuman SK† Hodges JS, Gatewood LC, Xu J. Patterns of tooth loss in older adults with and without dementia: a retrospective study based on a Minnesota cohort. J Am Geriatr Soc 2010;58:2300-7. (Clinical Research Paper of the Year, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry)
§Chen X*, Hodges JS, Shuman SK†, Gatewood LC, Xu J. Predicting tooth loss for older adults with special needs. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2010; Mar 26.
§Hsu KT*, Shuman SK†, Hamamoto DT, Hodges JS, Feldt KJ. The application of facial expressions to assess orofacial pain in cognitively impaired older adults. J Am Dent Assoc 2007;138:963-9. (1st Prize, Amer. Society for Geriatric Dentistry Kamen Student Research Competition).
Pronych GJ*, Sutow EJ, Sykora O. Dimensional Stability and dehydration of a thermoplastic polycarbonate-based and two PMMA-based denture resins. J Oral Rehabil. 2003; 30(12):1157-61. (1st Prize, Amer. Society for Geriatric Dentistry Kamen Student Research Competition)
Shuman SK†, Pronych GJ* Ofstehage JC†. Dental Services (Ch. 14), in Markenson AJ (Ed): Long-Term Care Survey and Certification Guide. Chapel Hill, Eli Research, 2000.
§Thai PH**, Shuman SK†, Davidson GB. Nurses' dental assessments and subsequent care in Minnesota nursing homes. Spec Care Dentist 1997;17:13-18. (2nd Prize, American Society for Geriatric Dentistry's Kamen Student Research Competition).
§Owen MK*. Prevalence of oral methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in an institutionalized veterans population. Spec Care Dentist 1994;14:75-9. (1st Prize, American Society for Geriatric Dentistry's Kamen Student Research Competition).
Shuman SK*, Loupe MJ†, Davidson GB, Martens LV†. Productivity in Minnesota dental practices with increased visits by older patients. J Pub Health Dent 1994 54:31-38.
§Johnson TE.* Factors contributing to dentists' extraction decisions in older adults. Spec Care Dentist 1993;13:195-9. (2nd Prize, American Society for Geriatric Dentistry's Kamen Student Research Competition).
Shuman SK†, McCusker ML, Owen MK*. Enhancing infection control for elderly and medically compromised patients. J Am Dent Assoc 1993; 124:76-84.
* OHSOA graduate student
** Summer research student
§ Conducted at OHSOA affiliated teaching sites
† OHSOA faculty
Joining the Program
Apply
Applications are accepted throughout the year for study to begin during the summer, fall or spring semesters. Completed applications should be received at least three months prior to the anticipated enrollment date.
Application Materials:
- A completed OHSOA application form
- Official academic transcripts of all coursework taken after high school
- Three OHSOA recommendation forms from individuals familiar with the applicant’s knowledge and clinical skills
- Scores on National Dental Boards or Dental Hygiene Boards
- A brief essay (under 500 words) which relates the applicant's career goals to the goals of the program
Program Requirements
| Subject | Description |
|---|---|
| Test scores | Scores on National Dental Boards or Dental Hygiene Boards |
| Transcripts | Official academic transcripts for all coursework taken after high school. |
| Degree |
|
| Additional preferences |
|
| International applicants | Applicants for whom English is a second language must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score at least 95 (internet-based). Applicants are exempt from taking the TOEFL if within the past 24 months they have successfully completed 24 quarter credits or 16 semester credits in residence as a full-time student at a recognized institution of higher learning in the United States. |
Curriculum
The distribution of effort during this 12-month program is approximately:
- Clinical rotations: 3-4 days per week
- Courses, seminars or independent study: 1-2 days per week
Clinical requirements are completed primarily through the Special Healthcare Needs Clinic. Fellows must complete 24 semester credits in mandatory OHSOA activities and 4 semester credits in electives to constitute 28 semester credits during 12 months of continuous enrollment to complete the requirements for the certificate.
OHSOA Clinical Fellows are responsible for developing their program of clinical education and professional growth in conjunction with the OHSOA faculty. Initial curriculum planning by the Fellow is completed at the beginning of the first semester of enrollment. Course credits completed in the OHSOA Clinical Fellowship Program that are also included in the MS in Dentistry curriculum in the Graduate School may be transferred for credit towards the MS in Dentistry degree at the discretion of the student’s advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies for the MS in Dentistry Program. Read more information on programs and courses available through the University’s Center for Health Aging and Innovation.
In the News
Contact the Program
Program Director
Stephen K. Shuman, DDS, MS, FGSA, FICD
15-136 Moos Tower
515 Delaware St. SE
Minneapolis, MN
[email protected]