Dr. Stephen Shuman Receives 2025 Guest of Honor Award
Mr. Stephen Shuman was chosen as the recipient of the Minnesota Dental Association’s Guest of Honor Award. He was honored by nearly 6,000 dental professionals in attendance at the association’s annual convention on Friday, April 25, at the St. Paul RiverCentre.
Dr. Stephen Shuman received his dental degree from Temple University and completed his Fellowship and MS degree in Geriatric Dentistry from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He joined the University of Minnesota faculty in 1989 and is now professor and director of the school’s Oral Health Services for Older Adults Program as well as director of the Division of Hospital and Special Care Dentistry. He also serves on the faculty for the school’s Special Healthcare Needs Clinic and the University’s HRSA-funded Northstar Geriatrics Workforce Expansion Program. As an educator, Dr. Shuman has been a mentor to countless students and colleagues, instilling in them a commitment to excellence, compassion, and service.
Dr. Shuman served on the Board of Directors of the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry for 10 years and was president of that organization from 1998-99. He currently serves as chair of the Oral Health Workgroup for the Gerontological Society of America and chair of the Minnesota Dental Association’s Barriers to Care Committee. His teaching and clinical programs have been recognized nationally and at the state and local levels, including the American Dental Association’s national Geriatric Oral Health Award and the 2016 Innovation Award from LeadingAge, the national association of over 6,000 non-profits representing the entire field of aging services. He is a fellow of the International College of Dentists and only the eighth dental professional to be inducted as a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, the nation’s oldest and largest organization of professionals working in aging research, education, policy, and practice.
Dr. Shuman has shown an exceptional commitment to advancing dental care and improving access to services for underserved populations. Through his work, he has highlighted and advocated for solutions to bridge these gaps, emphasizing a commitment to equity and inclusivity within the profession. Dr. Shuman’s contributions have significantly shaped policy and practice, leading to an environment where underserved communities are given priority within the MDA’s mission. Currently serving as chair of the MDA Barriers to Care Committee, he consistently plays a pivotal role in identifying and addressing the obstacles that prevent vulnerable populations from accessing quality dental care.
Dr. Shuman is a leading advocate for dementia-friendly dental practices, a critical area of focus amid an aging population. Through education and policy initiatives, he has worked to ensure that dental practitioners across Minnesota have the knowledge and the tools to provide effective and empathetic care to those affected by dementia.
The Minnesota Dental Association is the voice of dentistry in Minnesota, representing practicing dentists. It is committed to the highest standards of oral health and access to care for all Minnesotans. You can learn more at www.mndental.org.