IN OCTOBER 2024, Steven Haas, DMD, J.D., MBA, announced his resignation after serving as dean of the dental school for three years. During his time at UMKC, Haas helped to ensure the success of the School of Dentistry, introduced new programs and prioritized expanding the school’s reach.

Assuming his role in a post-pandemic rebuild phase, Haas successfully reinstated the Advanced Education in Dentistry Program and introduced the Advanced Standing Program, which has received hundreds of applications. Haas also played a vital role in shaping School of Dentistry plans for the new Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building. In addition to his influence on the school’s impact in Kansas City, Haas made strides in providing more dental care to those living in rural communities in our region.

“Serving as your dean has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” said Haas.

Russell Melchert, Ph.D, dean of the UMKC School of Pharmacy, will serve as interim dean during the national search for Haas’ replacement.

Former Dean Hits the Road to Meet with Alumni

FORMER DEAN STEVEN HAAS, DMD, J.D., MBA, took a road trip in September to meet with alumni in Missouri and Kansas. The social occasions gave alumni the chance to reconnect and reminisce over appetizers and drinks. Attendees also got to hear a special presentation from Haas about the School of Dentistry’s plans for the new Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building.

THE NEWEST DENTAL AND DENTAL HYGIENE classes spent a night at the ballpark on Aug. 20 thanks to the Dental Alumni Association. Those who attended enjoyed a tailgate with tacos and games, and the good weather almost made up for the Royals’ loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Win or lose, attendees agreed that the event is a fun tradition; many alumni still remember it fondly from when they were students.

UMKC’s dental clinics have developed a devoted patient pool spanning decades
By BRYCE PUNTENNEY

Since its inception more than a century ago, the UMKC School of Dentistry has been dedicated to serving the Kansas City community and beyond. Last year alone, more than 70,000 patients received oral healthcare in its clinics. Through the years, many of those patients have become as passion-ate about the school as its loyal alumni.

Take Linda Haag, 79, whose his-tory as a patient in the school’s clinics spans nearly 75 years and two buildings – soon to be a third. Allen Norman, 86, who has lived blocks from the school for 30 years, has been a patient for even longer, and will tell any of his neighbors how important the school and its Health Sciences District partners have been to the nearby Longfellow neighborhood that he calls home. Continue reading →

Suchmans Join Build Tomorrow, Together Campaign With Donation
By JOHN MARTELLARO

In the Spring of 1970, Rodger Suchman completed his DDS degree in what was then the brand-new, state-of-the-art UMKC dental school building at 25th and Holmes streets. Now, a half-century later, he and his family are taking the lead in ensuring UMKC dental school students and faculty – and their patients – will have access to state-of-the-art teaching and patient-care tools well into the 21st century.

The Suchman family has made an initial major School of Dentistry alumni gift for construction of the UMKC Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building (HDIB), a high-tech, ultra-modern research, teaching and patient-care facility to be built on the corner of 25th and Charlotte streets. The School of Dentistry will have a significant presence in the five-story, 160,000-square-foot building, which will house dental clinics on the second, third and fourth floors. Dentistry’s lecture halls, research areas, advanced program clinics and pre-clinic lab work will remain in the current building. Continue reading →

Class of 1971 Scholarship
The Class of 1971 Scholarship provides financial assistance for DDS students who are in financial need and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Recognizing parents who attend dental school can sometimes face increased financial burdens, this class scholarship gives preference to a School of Dentistry student who has child dependents. Continue reading →

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS and donors gathered Monday, Oct. 14, in Pierson Auditorium for the School of Dentistry’s annual scholarship celebration. Students and donors enjoyed meeting each other, participating in a cross-generational trivia game and hearing about the impact scholarships have made on students’ lives.

“Your donations make impacts that reach well beyond our short time at UMKC,” said fourth-year dental student Justin Harper. “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, allowing us to impact countless lives in our communities.” Continue reading →