UMKC 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

Whether you’re new to oral healthcare or an experienced professional, our programs deliver the education you need to reach your full career potential.

Become a Student

Become a Patient

We’d love to be your dental care team — our students and residents, guided by licensed professionals, treat over 60,000 patients each year.

Become a Patient

Work with Us

We offer rewarding academic and staff opportunities—and we’d love for you to join us.

Work With Us

Support Us

With generous support, we fund scholarships, endowments, and professional programs. Every gift matters — and makes a difference.

Support Us

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 residency programs

We offer several advanced education residency 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

Caring for Our Community: Food and Social Support Resources

Together, we thrive — connecting UMKC to care, compassion, and community.

Food and Social Support Resources

At the UMKC School of Dentistry, we’re committed to lifting one another up. Guided by our values of compassion and justice, we know that challenges like food insecurity and access to social support can touch anyone. That’s why we’re offering some great resources — on campus and across the Kansas City Metro — to help our community stay nourished, supported, and strong.

Community Resource Guide link opens in a new tab

School of Dentistry Events

All School of Dentistry Events

Latest Headlines

Students enjoy visiting an organization's table

School of Dentistry Students Enjoy a Sunny Lunch on the Lawn

10 Sep 2026 | Another great event with the Office of Student Involvement! Read full story School of Dentistry Students Enjoy a Sunny Lunch on the Lawn

Dean Luepke poses with a student and an alumni at the Royals game

School of Dentistry Roos at the K

9 Sep 2026 | An annual tradition brought the School of Dentistry community to see the Royals once again Read full story School of Dentistry Roos at the K

Dean Luepke poses with a student and an alumni at the Royals game

Meet the 2026 UMKC Trustees’ Scholars

1 Sep 2026 | Seven outstanding students join the university’s prestigious scholarship program Read full story Meet the 2026 UMKC Trustees’ Scholars

Two students pose with thumbs up in their Rinehart Foundation jackets

New Dental and Dental Hygiene Students Receive Warm Welcome from Rinehart Foundation

28 Aug 2026 | A special Lunch & Learn for incoming students at the School of Dentistry Read full story New Dental and Dental Hygiene Students Receive Warm Welcome from Rinehart Foundation

A child in a white lab coat pretends to do a dental examination

A Fun-Filled Take Your Kid to Work Day at the School of Dentistry!

26 Aug 2026 | Families welcomed for a morning of interactive dental activities Read full story A Fun-Filled Take Your Kid to Work Day at the School of Dentistry!

Two students pose for a photo with their pancakes

DDS Class of 2030 and DH Class of 2028 Complete Orientation

24 Aug 2026 | Orientation wrapped up with a fun-filled day in the School of Dentistry Read full story DDS Class of 2030 and DH Class of 2028 Complete Orientation

Dentistry News