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.
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.

Macila Arnold ('23)
B.S. in Dental Hygiene
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 ('26)
Advanced Standing DDS
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.

Edgardo Leiva ('23)
DDS
Events
Latest Headlines

Kansas City Celebrates UMKC Carnegie R1 Status at Union Station
28 May 2025 | Community leaders came together to celebrate impact research milestone will have for region Read full story Kansas City Celebrates UMKC Carnegie R1 Status at Union Station

Graduates Honored at Professional Recognition Ceremony
26 May 2025 | The School of Dentistry's Professional Recognition honored the dental and dental hygiene graduates and those that supported their journey to their doctoral degree. Read full story Graduates Honored at Professional Recognition Ceremony

UMKC Celebrates May 2025 Commencement
17 May 2025 | University confers more than 2,600 degrees Read full story UMKC Celebrates May 2025 Commencement