Annual Dinner Honors Scholarship Donors and Recipients

“I remember sitting here as a student at the scholarship dinner and feeling so thankful, and also a little in awe of those in the room who had donated to make all of the scholarships possible.”

Crystal Walker (DDS ’04, PEDO ’06), Rinehart Foundation chair, shared her personal story at the annual Scholarship Recognition Dinner on Monday, October 14 in Pierson Auditorium, with a room full of student scholarship recipients and their donors. She received the Myrtle Rinehart Scholarship, wife of Dr. Roy J. Rinehart, the namesake of the Rinehart Foundation, that she is now the chair of.

“It’s up to us to continue this tradition of support,” she continued, “Because as you can see tonight, you are truly changing the lives of UMKC School of Dentistry students through your generosity.”

This dinner tradition is one that students and donors look forward to each year, to get have an opportunity to meet and mingle with donors, and even play some cross-generational trivia.

This year, the school distributed an outstanding 407 scholarships to 210 students, totaling $1,558,782.77 in educational support – breaking the school’s and the Rinehart Foundation’s record in scholarship support once again.

Fourth year dental student Justin Harper shared with donors “Your donations make impacts that reach well beyond our short time at UMKC. The relief from educational debt allows students like me a “foot in the door” when it comes time to buy into or start a practice, thus allowing us to impact countless lives in our communities.” He finished his remarks saying “[I] look forward to one day returning alongside my classmates to attend this event again, next time in the role of supporters of the dental program and future students.”

View group photos of students and donors here.

View candids from the event here.

 

Dental Alumni Association Takes New Students Out to the Ballgame

The UMKC Dental Alumni Association hosted the incoming dental and dental hygiene classes by taking them out to a Royals game. Students, alumni, faculty and staff attended the Kansas City Royals vs. Los Angeles Angels game on August 20, at Kauffman Stadium. Attendees enjoyed a pre-game tailgate with grilled favorites before heading inside. Although the Royals didn’t bring home a win, the UMKC Dental Alumni Association was thrilled to meet and greet with the new students and enjoy a night out at the ballpark once again.

View photos from the event here.

UMKC Orthodontics Partners with Smiles Change Lives

The UMKC School of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics has partnered with Smiles Change Lives to provide access to life-changing orthodontic treatment to children from families that cannot afford the full cost of braces.

Smiles Change Lives, originally the Virginia Brown Community Orthodontic Partnership, has treated more than 16,000 children since 1997, when they initially partnered with the dental school, and has emerged as the nation’s leader in providing access to orthodontic care for qualified youth.

This July, orthodontic residents renewed the partnership and began treatment for six patients, selected by Smiles Change Lives.

Hear from Erin Cahil, star of multiple Hallmark films, about the organization’s mission and how you can get involved here.

Celebrating the Transition to Patient Care

“Congratulations for choosing to live a life that matters.”

Dean Steven Haas addressed a crowd of more than 1,000 people who came to the school’s annual Transitioning Ceremony on Friday, May 31 at Unity Temple on the Plaza. There, the new clinicians from the Dental Class of 2026 and Dental Hygiene Class of 2025 were welcomed to clinical practice. The ceremony is a momentous occasion celebrating years of rigorous study and preparation. Continue reading

Military Commissioning Ceremony

Megan Keller, Captain, United States Air Force
Stationed at: Kessler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi

Cole Johnson, Lieutenant, United States Navy
Stationed at: Great Lakes Naval Base, Chicago, Illinois

Annemarie LaBarca, Captain, United States Army
Stationed at: Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia