Hospital and Special Care Dentistry Fellowship

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Hospital and Special Care Dentistry (HCSD) Fellowship Program is designed to expand the scope and depth of graduates’ knowledge and clinical skills, enabling them to provide comprehensive oral health care to a wide range of population groups, with an emphasis on the medically, cognitively and physically challenged patients. Fellows will function as part of an interdisciplinary health care team that provides treatment in clinic and hospital settings.

The HSCD Fellowship is a 15 month, full-time program designed to develop the clinical expertise of dentists in caring for patients with special health care needs that generally have access barriers in traditional dental care settings and require alternative approaches from providers with additional training. A University of Minnesota Regents approved certificate will be awarded upon successful achievement of the program’s clinical and academic objectives. The program is housed in the Division of Hospital & Special Care Dentistry, Department of Developmental & Surgical Sciences at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.

The deadline for applications is September 30, 2026.

• expand their capacity to treat patients with special health care needs and complexities.
• become comfortable with more  complex procedures to maximize general practice capabilities.
• prepare for other specialty/residency programs by gaining more clinical, medical and surgical experience with more complex patients.
• practice in rural or other settings where access to specialists is less available.
• pursue future career opportunities in hospital dentistry.
• practice in community clinics or  agencies (eg, FQHCs, Indian Health Services) where enhanced general dentistry skills are valuable.
• prepare for leadership positions in Hospital/Special care dentistry, including teaching, program administration and research.