Oral Health Services for Older Adults (OHSOA)

University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
15-136 Moos Tower
515 Delaware Street S.E.
Minneapolis, MN  55455-0348
Phone:  (612) 625-1191

The Oral Health Services for Older Adults (OHSOA) Clinical Fellowship is a 12 month, full-time program designed to develop the clinical expertise of dentists and dental hygienists in providing care for older adults.  Upon successful completion of the program's clinical and academic requirements, a Certificate is awarded by the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.  The program also provides an opportunity for those interested in further developing their leadership skills in geriatric dental or dental hygiene education, research, or program administration to prepare for entry into the MS-Dentistry and Graduate Minor in Gerontology programs offered in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Graduate School.   Together, the OHSOA Clinical Fellowship and the MS-Dentistry Program fulfill all of the guidelines for Geriatric Dental Fellowship Programs previously recommended by the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry and US Bureau of Health Professions.  The OHSOA Program is housed in the Department of Primary Dental Care in the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.  

The objectives of the OHSOA Clinical Fellowship Program are to develop:

• Expertise in the delivery of clinical oral health care to a broad range of older adults, from well to frail.
• Expertise in providing care to older adults from a variety of settings, including those in long-term care or other supportive environments.
• Understanding of the impact of biological aging, systemic disease, functional impairment, and drug therapy on the delivery of oral health care to older adults.
• Skills in working with a variety of health care professionals and the dental team to deliver effective oral health care.
• Administrative skills necessary to oversee clinical oral health programs for the elderly.

Applicants for whom English is a second language must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  The preferred performance levels for the TOEFL are as follows:

Paper-based Total TOEFL:           600

Computer-based Total TOEFL:     250

Internet-based Total TOEFL:        80

The distribution of effort during this 12 month program is approximately:            

Clinical rotations:   3-4 days/week

Courses, seminars, independent study: 1-2 days/week

Clinical requirements are completed primarily through rotations at outreach geriatric dental clinics operated in affiliation with the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, St. Paul, and Walker Methodist Health Center, Minneapolis.  Additional rotations in geriatric hospital dentistry are completed at the Minneapolis V.A. Medical Center.   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.  A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in and no more than 5 incomplete credits must be maintained throughout the program to remain in good standing.

Fellows enrolled in the program must pay the tuition and fees established each year by the School of Dentistry and the University of Minnesota for participation in this educational program.  However, most Fellows are eligible for financial support in the form of stipends and allowances through funding from the OHSOA’s sponsoring organizations and clinical revenues.  In addition, each Fellow typically may receive a travel allowance to attend at least one clinically focused geriatric conference during their one year OHSOA Program at the discretion of the program director.

Those wishing to apply for admission to the Oral Health Services for Older Adults Clinical Fellowship Program must submit:  1) a completed OHSOA application form; 2) official academic transcripts of all coursework taken after high school; 3) three OHSOA recommendation forms from individuals familiar with the applicant’s knowledge and clinical skills; 4) Scores on National Dental Boards or Dental Hygiene Boards; and 5) a brief essay (under 500 words) which relates the applicant's career goals to the goals of the program.  Foreign applicants must also submit a complete set of TOEFL scores and National Dental Board scores.

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.

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.   Up to 40 percent of the semester credits completed in Graduate School coursework during a Fellow's OHSOA clinical program may be transferred for credit toward the MS degree in Dentistry at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies for the MS-Dentistry Program.  The components of the OHSOA curriculum are outlined below.  Detailed descriptions of these courses are available on the University of Minnesota web site at: http://www.catalogs.umn.edu/courses.html under Twin Cities campus courses.  

Information on additional courses on aging through the University Center on Aging can be found at:  http://www.hpm.umn.edu/coa/.

Course List

Sample Calendar

Prospective Student Letter

OHSOA Application

Recommendation Form