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.

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

UMKC

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

UMKC Celebrates May 2025 Commencement

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

Dentistry News