Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) Degree Program

Overview:
The UMKC School of Dentistry educates competent and caring oral health care providers through a curriculum that combines the best of the classroom and clinic. Preclinical dental and biomedical courses give our students the solid conceptual foundation they will need to successfully practice dentistry. Beginning early in the first year and increasing throughout the four-year program, students work with peers and faculty to master the clinical skills required to deliver comprehensive oral health care. Students treat their assigned patients within a "team" system of clinic organization, which is a hallmark of this program.

If you are a college student with 90 or more hours of college credit or a college graduate, you may apply for admission to the D.D.S. program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete a baccalaureate degree prior to starting their dental education. As a public institution financially supported by the state of Missouri, our first obligation is to qualified residents of Missouri. Additionally for many years we have had formal or informal agreements with the states of Kansas, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Hawaii to accept qualified residents of those states to our program. Preferred consideration will be given to applicants who are residents and high school graduates of the states listed above. Other exceptions may be made on an individual basis.

To apply for the D.D.S. program, you must submit an application through the American Dental Education Association’s application service (AADSAS). Although the deadline for submission is October 1, early applications are strongly recommended. A preference is given to applications received in the Office of Student Programs of the School of Dentistry prior to September 1. Keep in mind that AADSAS can take up to two months to process and deliver an application. Therefore, it is extremely important that you apply in June or July of the year prior to anticipated entry into dental school.

The admission process is a selective one. A number of variables will be considered: academic credentials, Dental Admission Test scores, letters of recommendation, and your written responses to a series of questions. In addition, a "by invitation only" interview is a part of the selection process.

More information can be found in the FAQs (frequently asked questions) page.

This four-year program begins in August and culminates with a doctor of dental surgery degree. Click here to view the curriculum in detail.

A Suggested Pre-Dental Schedule of Activities can be downloaded here.

RESERVED ADMISSION PROGRAM
(The guidelines for the Reserved Admission Program were modified in February, 2007)

The Reserved Admission Program for the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree at the UMKC School of Dentistry enables highly motivated, ambitious, talented Missouri and Kansas residents to pursue their dream of becoming a dentist.

Admission to the UMKC School of Dentistry's DDS program is very competitive. Approximately 1,000 candidates apply every year for a limited number of seats. Reserved Admission Program students will have a reserved seat in a future UMKC DDS Program class.

As a Reserved Admission Program student you can apply for admission directly to the School of Dentistry without going through the national computerized application service required of traditional DDS candidates.

To be eligible for Reserved Admission you must have completed a minimum of but not more than four semesters of college credit while being continuously enrolled in full-time course loads (a minimum of 15-18 credit hours per semester). Your science grade point average must be at least 3.60 in a degree-seeking program including prerequisite courses.

To receive information about or application materials for the program, please contact the Office of Student Programs either by phone (1 800 776-8652 or 816 235-2080) or by email.

D.D.S. Program Information:
For more information or to receive brochures describing the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) Program use this link - request Information.

If you prefer to call or write the office:
call 800/776-8652 or 816/235-2080, or write to:

Office of Student Programs
UMKC School of Dentistry
650 East 25th Street
Kansas City, MO 64108

D.D.S. Program Application:
An application for admission must be submitted to the American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). An online application is available at the ADEA website www.adea.org.

Diversity Programs and Activities

Summer DAU Program
Great Start Program

Dental Explorer Post
For information about the school’s Dental Explorer Post, click here.

Other links of interest
Information about Kansas City is available here.
Maps and directions to the School of Dentistry can be found here.
Information about the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) is available here.

Academic Program Upcoming Events
School of Dentistry Academic Calendar (2007-2008) PDF | Word