Stephen K. Shuman, DDS, MS
Professor, Department of Developmental and Surgical Sciences

Contact Info
Faculty Fellow, University of Minnesota Minnesota Area Geriatric Education Center, 1989-1990
DDS, Temple University, 1978-1982
MS, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry (Oral Health Services for Older Adults Program), 1987-1989
BA, University of Pennsylvania, 1973-1977
Summary
Dr. Shuman is Professor and Director of the Oral Health Services for Older Adults Program in the Department of Developmental & Surgical Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He also serves as Dental Director for the Walker Methodist Dental Clinic in Minneapolis where he teaches geriatrics, conducts research and maintains his clinical practice. Dr. Shuman received his dental degree from Temple University and completed his Geriatric Dental Fellowship and MS-Dentistry degree at the University of Minnesota. He is a past president of the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry and currently serves as Chair of the Oral Health Workgroup for the Gerontological Society of America as well as Chair of the Minnesota Dental Association’s Barriers to Care Committee. His teaching and clinical programs have been recognized with the American Dental Association’s Geriatric Oral Health Award and the 2016 Innovation Award from LeadingAge, the national association of over 6000 non-profit organizations representing the entire field of aging services. He was the School of Dentistry’s 2016 Century Club Professor of the Year and in 2018 was inducted as a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, the nation’s oldest and largest organization of professionals in the field of aging.
Awards & Recognition
2018 - Fellow, Gerontological Society of America 2017 - Century Club Professor of the Year, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry 2016 - National Innovation Award LeadingAge National For “Walker Methodist Dental Clinic” 2010 - Paper of the Year (Clinical Research), Univ. of Minnesota School of Dentistry, for: Chen X, Shuman SK, Hodges JS, et al. Patterns of tooth loss in older adults with and without dementia: a retrospective study based on a Minnesota cohort. J Am Geriatr Soc, 58(12):2300-7. 2007 - Innovation of the Year Award Minnesota Health & Housing Alliance for “Walker Dental Clinic” 1995 - Geriatric Oral Health Care Award - American Dental Association, for "The Wilder Senior Dental Program-Linking Community Service for Education" 1994 - Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society, Faculty Member 1987 - Achievement Award, National Association of Counties, Washington, D.C., "Dental Care to Underserved Groups in Peoria County, IL"
Research
Research Summary/Interests
My early scholarly work and publications focused on the impact of the growing number of older adult consumers of dental care on dental practice economics and practice productivity. The economic analyses and perspectives employed in these studies continue to inform my work in care delivery models for older adults given the growing importance of cost-efficiency in health care. An additional area of research, scholarship and program development has been devoted to oral health in the long-term care environment, specifically including care delivery systems and ethical and legal issues. More recent research conducted at our community dental clinics has focused on clinical issues and treatment outcomes for geriatric conditions that complicate treatment planning and care delivery, such as dementia and end of life trajectories. Two recently funded projects by NIH and CDC in collaboration with ASTER Labs, Shoreview, MN are focused on the development of new technology to support disabled older adults and their caregivers in maintaining oral health and function.
Research Funding Grants
2019-2021 | Automated Dental Care Device for Persons with Oral Hygiene Disabilities – Phase 2 Trial | CDC and ASTER Labs, Shoreview, MN (2R44CE002849-02) | $244,714 | PI-U of MN |
2019-2021 | Miniature Passive Device for Locating Lost Dentures in Care Facilities –Phase 2 Trial | NIH/NIDCR and ASTER Labs, Shoreview, MN (2R44 DE026377-02) | $135,216 | PI-U of MN |
2019-2021 | Dementia-Friendly Dental Practices | Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging & Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation | $24,901 | Consultant, Faculty |
2019-2024 | Northstar Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) |
| $96,100 | Interprofessional Coordinating Council, Faculty |
2017-2021 | Walker Methodist Dental Clinic Affiliation Agreement |
| $455,000 | Project Director, Faculty |
Publications
Invited Papers, Book Chapters and Other Media
1.Shuman, S.K., Owen, M.K. “Ethical Issues in Oral Health Care for Older Adults.” Generations: Journal of the American Society on Aging, 40(3):70-78, 2016.
2.“Promoting Oral Health for Older Adults” Web-based Geriatric Education Module, Minnesota Area Geriatric Education Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (2015)
3.“Oral Health Toolkit for Long-term Care Settings” (Contributor), American Medical Directors Association,
4.“Growing Old with a Smile: Oral Care for Older Adults in Long-term Care” (
5.Shuman, S.K, Pronych,
Long Term Care Facility Survey and Certification Guide. Chap. 14,
6.McCusker,
Refereed Publications
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3.Chen X,
4.Chen X,
5.Hsu KT, Shuman SK, Hamamoto DT, Feldt KJ,
6.Shuman, S.K. Doing the Right Thing: Ethical Challenges in Geriatric Dental Care. Journal of the
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13.Shuman, S.K. A Physician's Guide to Coordinating Oral Health and Primary Care. Geriatrics 45(8):47-57, 1990.
12.Shuman, S.K. Ethics and Rationing Health Care. J Am Dent Assoc, 121(5):639, 1990.
13.Shuman, S.K. Ethics and the Patient with Dementia. J Am Dent Assoc 119(6):747-748, 1989.
Non-refereed Publications
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2.Shuman, SK, Simonson PJ, Tschida BC, Owen MK, Ofstehage JC, Glasrud PH. Myths and facts about Minnesota's new safe patient handling statute and your dental practice. Northwest Dent 90(4):12-16, 2011.
3.Shuman, S.K. Goals and Strategies for Improving Dental Care in the Nursing Home: Part Two. Northwest Dent 78(1):23-26, 1999.
4.Shuman, S.K. Goals and Strategies for Improving Dental Care in the Nursing Home: Part One. Northwest Dent 77(6):21-26, 1998.
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6.Shuman, S.K. New Dentists and Older Patients: Preparing for Dental Practice in an Aging Society. Dentistry 96, Journal of the American Student Dental Association, 16(3):7-9, 20-1, 1996.
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8.Shuman, S.K. Dental Practice Productivity and the Aging Patient. Northwest Dentistry 70(3):27-29, 1991.
Published Research/Educational Abstracts
1.Shuman S.K., Simonson M.J. Oral Health and Dementia: Current Evidence and Recommendations. Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, Washington, DC, July 21, 2015.
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17.Shuman, S.K. The Relationship Between Postmenopausal Estrogen Depletion and Tooth Loss. Journal of Dental Research 73(Special Issue):237, 1994.
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