School of Dentistry

A Dental Education That Cares

Our students serve the community and gain valuable clinical experience by providing the highest standard of care alongside our experienced faculty practitioners at our dental clinics. Our students are the future of oral healthcare.

Become a student

Become a patient

Why Choose UMKC

There are many reasons to choose UMKC for your dental healthcare education. Here are just a few:

8 accredited programs

Our programs are fully accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. In addition, we provide several scholarships to help cover the cost.

6 advanced programs

We offer several advanced education programs for practitioners, including endodontics, general dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics and periodontics.

50% of practitioners in the state

As the only public dental school in Missouri and Kansas, our graduates account for roughly half of all practicing dentists in the surrounding area.

60,000 patient visits

Under the supervision of experienced faculty practitioners, our students provide oral healthcare for a wide range of patients at our clinics.

What Our Students Have to Say

From volunteering in the community to patient care in our clinics, our students have a lot to say about what they like about our programs.

Being able to get involved in the community through hygiene has been just so much fun. I’ve loved my experience here in Kansas City.
Dental hygiene student Macila Arnold wears a mask and face shield while cleaning the teeth of a primate at the zoo. She works with another student.

Macila Arnold ('23)

B.S. in Dental Hygiene

Macila's story

The school’s focus on putting patients first captured my attention. I want to treat people, not just as my patients, as if they were my family.
Flavia Santos Bada, a student in the advanced standing program, works on a simulation mannequin at the dental school. She wears a mask and glasses while she concentrates.

Flavia Santos Bada ('26)

Advanced Standing DDS

Flavia's story

Playing soccer — and especially coaching — has helped me in dealing with my patients. We coach our patients to keep good oral hygiene and teach them the skills to achieve that.
DDS student Edgardo Leiva, wearing a clinic gown and face mask, talks to a patient sitting in the dental chair.

Edgardo Leiva ('23)

DDS

Edgardo's story

Events

Latest Headlines

DDS student Edgardo Leiva, wearing a clinic gown and face mask, talks to a patient sitting in the dental chair.

Dental Double Take

23 Jun 2025 | A surprising number of twins have enrolled at UMKC School of Dentistry Read full story Dental Double Take

photo

UMKC School of Dentistry Hosts American College of Prosthodontists Day of Learning

20 Jun 2025 | The Missouri and Kansas Sections of the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) jointly hosted their “Third Day of Learning” on June 7 at the UMKC School of Dentistry. Read full story UMKC School of Dentistry Hosts American College of Prosthodontists Day of Learning

photo

STAHR Dental Assisting Internship Program Hosts Incoming Students

13 Jun 2025 | The STAHR Dental Assisting Internship Program recently completed its second year, offering an intensive onsite training experience to six scholars — three incoming dental students and three incoming dental hygiene students. Read full story STAHR Dental Assisting Internship Program Hosts Incoming Students

Dentistry News