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 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.

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

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

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
CODA Third-Party Comments
Do you have thoughts on how our dental, dental hygiene or residency programs are doing — and how they can continue to grow? The Commission on Dental Accreditation invites public comment on its 2025 review of our dental, dental hygiene, and residency programs' adherence to accreditation standards.

Submit Your Comment
Our dental education, dental hygiene, periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics and advanced education in general dentistry programs will be visited by the commission November 18-20. In accordance with commission accreditation activities, we're now asking for comments to be used in the commission’s accreditation process. The deadline for submitting your comment is Sept. 19.
School of Dentistry Events
Latest Headlines

UMKC Launches Record-Breaking Campaign to Transform the Future
17 Oct 2025 | Blue & Bold aims to empower students, advance research and elevate communities Read full story UMKC Launches Record-Breaking Campaign to Transform the Future

UMKC Chancellor Unveils Bold Vision for the Future at State of the University
17 Oct 2025 | 7 takeaways elevating Kansas City’s Carnegie Research 1 University Read full story UMKC Chancellor Unveils Bold Vision for the Future at State of the University

Major Building Projects Taking Shape at UMKC
17 Oct 2025 | Construction includes largest capital improvement project to date Read full story Major Building Projects Taking Shape at UMKC

Recognizing the School’s 2025 Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Graduates
15 Oct 2025 | Advanced Education in Orthodontics Residents defend their thesis Read full story Recognizing the School’s 2025 Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Graduates

UMKC School of Dentistry Honors Students and Donors at Annual Scholarship Celebration
7 Oct 2025 | A night of gratitude and inspiration highlights the lasting impact of scholarship support Read full story UMKC School of Dentistry Honors Students and Donors at Annual Scholarship Celebration

Transforming Dental Education
26 Sep 2025 | UMKC’s D1 Denture Program Delivers Early Patient Care Experience Read full story Transforming Dental Education