Feature

Leadership Change at the Dental School

Posted on by Audriana Thompson

Steven Haas, dean of the School of Dentistry since 2021, announced his resignation on November 1. Haas has played a vital role in shaping plans for new teaching clinics in the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building that will open in 2026. School of Pharmacy Dean Russ Melchert has stepped in as interim dean as he did during a dean transition several years ago at the School of Dentistry.

UMKC launched a national search for the next dean of the School of Dentistry, seeking a leader with the vision and energy to guide the school into a new phase of academic, clinical and research excellence. The new dean will strengthen and continue our tradition of being a model oral healthcare education institution. The dean will play a critical role in expanding upon the school’s excellence by elevating academic and clinical services in the new Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building, a $145 million capital project that will provide state-of-the-art clinical teaching and healthcare services to the community. UMKC is working with the higher-education executive search firm Greenwood, Asher & Associates. The search committee is listed below.

Search Committee Members

  • Chair, Brian Klaas, dean of Henry W. Bloch School of Management
  • Sumeet Dua, vice chancellor for research
  • Nick Rogers, immediate past chair, Rinehart Foundation
  • Laura Beard, senior student services coordinator, School of Dentistry
  • Jeffrey Primos, assistant dean, School of Dentistry
  • Gustavo Leal, clinical assistant professor and director, Advanced Standing Dental Program
  • Erin Bumann, associate professor, School of Dentistry
  • Tanya Gibson, associate professor, School of Dentistry
  • Cynthia Petrie, professor, Dr. George Tanaka Hawaii Professor of Restorative Dentistry and chair of the Department of Restorative Clinical Science
  • Tanya Mitchell, professor and chair division of Dental Hygiene
  • Jason Firth, president of the American Student Dental Association
  • Joe Spalitto, School of Dentistry alumnus
  • Jeffrey Kagihara, School of Dentistry alumnus
  • Melanie Simmer-Beck, professor, chair of Dental Public Health and Behavioral Science, interim chair of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences and director of the STAHR Program

Navy Leader Visits Alma Mater, Local Schools During Outreach

Posted on by Audriana Thompson

Since 2005, the U.S. Navy has hosted Navy Weeks in cities around the country without a significant Navy presence to educate the American public on its capabilities and relevance to national security. It brings Sailors from all around the globe to conduct outreach and immerse themselves in these communities for a week.

For some of these Sailors, it could also be a type of homecoming.

“This is where I went to Dental School on the Health Professions Scholarship Program,” Rear Adm. Walter Brafford, commander of the Naval Medical Forces Development Command and chief of the Navy Dental Corps, said. “It’s great to be back and to share my experiences of all the things I’ve done in the Navy and the opportunities the Navy provides.”

During this year’s Navy Week, Brafford and a group of Naval Medicine officers and corpsmen visited several schools in the Kansas City area November 11 – 17, 2024, to make connections and share what it’s like to be a health care professional in the Navy.

One of the schools on the list was the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s School of Dentistry.

“I graduated from here in 1996 and joined the Navy as a dental officer shortly after on July 7,” he said. “It’s been an awesome ride. I’ve met a lot of great people, made some really good friends.

Read the full story here.

Story by Malcolm McClendon
Naval Medical Forces Development Command

The UMKC representatives on the tour included:

  • Dr. Derek Williams, Lieutenant Commander, US Navy, & Clinical Associate Professor
  • Dr. Eric Gottman, Interim Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
  • Mr. Richard Bigham, Assistant Dean for Student Programs
  • Third-Year Student Doctor Quinten Reasoner, ENS US Navy Dental Corp

Navy personnel visiting the UMKC Health Science Campus included:

  • Rear Admiral Walter Brafford, Commander, Naval Medical Forces Support Command & Chief, U.S. Navy Dental Corps
    • Native of Southwest Missouri
    • Graduate of UMKC dental school
  • Captain Alison Castro, Deputy Chief, U.S. Navy Nurse Corps
  • CAPT Shauna O’Sullivan
    • Summa Cum Laude graduate from KCU Medical School (1999-2003)
  • CAPT Calvin Suffridge, Deputy Chief, U.S. Navy Dental Corps
  • CDR Bryan Pyle, U.S. Navy Medical Corps Service Policy & Practice Officer
  • Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Philip Jean-Gilles, Command Master Chief, Naval Medical Research Command
  • LT Zachary Pommer, RDML Brafford’s Aide
  • Mr. Malcom McLendon, Naval Medical Forces Support Command Public Affairs Officer

Our sincerest appreciation to all our students, staff, faculty, alumni and all service members for their service in the US military!

See photos from the visit here.

GEHA Solutions Supports Increased Diversity Through Oral Health Equity Scholarships

Posted on by Audriana Thompson

Scholarships and funding to nationwide organizations aims to address historically disadvantaged groups and improve population health.

LEE’S SUMMIT, MO (October 15, 2024) – Today, Government Employees Health Association, Inc. (“GEHA,” pronounced G.E.H.A.) and GEHA Solutions, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of GEHA and a leading dental network leasing company (leveraging the GEHA Connection Dental Network), announced their continued dedication to address oral health inequities. To actively address the causes of population health disparities within the dental and dental hygiene industries, GEHA Solutions will expand its funding and partnerships with the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, BrownGirl, RDH and Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships.

In 2024, GEHA Solutions has:

Provided $220,000 for 29 scholarships and fellowships to the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry to bridge the financial divide for students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds and who commit to advancing oral health equity.

Invested $75,000 for BrownGirl, RDH, to empower a more culturally diverse dental hygiene workforce through 26 collegiate scholarships and annual conference/continuing education funding for practicing registered dental hygienists.
Partnered with Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships to strengthen the pathway from middle school to dental school for youth and pre-dental students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds throughout America, including a $5,000 GEHA grant.

“This investment from GEHA Solutions marks a significant milestone in expanding oral health equity and is a continuation of groundwork laid years ago,” said Steven Haas, dean of the UMKC School of Dentistry. “This funding is not only an investment in the immediate future; it represents a deep-seated commitment to sustaining our efforts toward achieving oral health equity. It signifies GEHA Solutions’ faith in our goal of providing the community with highly skilled and caring dental professionals for years to come. By enabling more students to pursue and complete their dental education while reducing their debt, we are setting the stage for long-term improvements in oral healthcare access and outcomes.”

Read the full press release here.

Story from GEHA (Government Employees Health Association, Inc.)

School Volunteers Bring Smiles to Boo at the Zoo

Posted on by Audriana Thompson

In 2019, the UMKC Chapter of Sigma Phi Alpha- Dental Hygiene National Honor Society began a Community Service project for UMKC dental and dental hygiene students at the Kansas City Zoo’s “Boo at the Zoo” event.

In recent years, Clinical Instructor, Prof. Tamra Hoffman, RDH, organizes volunteers from the student led organizations and classes  from the School of Dentistry. Participation in this event allow students to dress up in costume, grab an oral hygiene puppet and connect with community kids about the fun of good brushing while passing out some goodies. Kids gather around for the opportunity to show our future dentists and dental hygienists their brushing skills.

This year, there were participants from dental hygiene class of 2025 and 2026 and dental classes of 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028. Alexmarie Gomez, President of the Dental Hygiene Alumni Association (DHAA), and DHAA board member Grace Wilson, joined in on the festivities. It is always great to see present and past graduates of our programs reaching out to our communities.

Volunteers included:
Erica George
Kaytlyn Kunkel
Abby Garcia
Marissa Johnson
Daysha Horne
Peyton Howard
Toni Fraizer
Klare Rollins
Julia Messina
McKenzie Caster
Charlotte Kettler
Anna Mitchell
Amrutha Sudarsana Babu
Dhruvi Patel
Emily Fuchs
Jade Bauer
Radhika Swaminathan
Tommy Mataya
Danny Pham
Emma Blain
Tin Chen
Itzhel Martinez
Hira Sukhera
Lauren Rowland
Flavia Santos
Hardi Thacker
Kaylee Kytasaari
Hannah Sloan
Kylee Kiernan
Chloe Gerken
Grace Ipsen
Abby Hecker
Isabella Cannon
Shreya Patel
Alyssa Knaak
Kamryn Peters
Chelsea Breihan

See photos from the event here.

Courtesy of Prof. Tamra Hoffman

2024 Oral and Craniofacial Sciences Graduates

Posted on by Audriana Thompson

The following 3 students completed the requirements for the Oral and Craniofacial Sciences MS degree. Congratulations!

Thesis Projects:

Dr. Brandon Knapp: Effect of Build Angle and Print Layer Thickness of Clinical Accuracy  of 3D-Printed Orthodontic Models

Dr. Charlie Boehm: Digital Indirect Bracket Bonding in Orthodontic Practice

Dr. Brandon Simister: Job Satisfaction in Orthodontics: Private Practice Versus Corporate Practice

Annual Dinner Honors Scholarship Donors and Recipients

Posted on by Audriana Thompson

“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.

 

UMKC Health Professions Students Selected for Missouri AHEC Scholars

Posted on by Audriana Thompson

by West Central Missouri AHEC

The West Central Missouri Area Health Education Center has selected seven medical students from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine and ten students from the School of Dentistry to join the nationally recognized AHEC Scholars program. Local AHEC Scholars will join health professions students from all over Missouri and nationally to participate in activities designed to promote a greater understanding of the issues that impact individual and community health care.

Selected medical students are Ethan Nguyen, Eric Chai, Katelyn Junghans, Libby Lueck, Rachel Perera, Shekhar Gugnani, and Vani Patel. Selected dental students are Ann Coleman, Arnulfo Pulido, Caleb Kline, Chad Blaylock, Caitlin Ruth, Elise Baumann, Hannah Lehnhoff, Kylee Meloy, Maddie Janes, and Peyton Kusgen.

AHEC Scholars is a two-year program designed to promote a greater understanding of the issues that impact individual and community healthcare. The program provides opportunities for students to improve the health status and outcomes in their communities through service projects and civic engagement, interdisciplinary training in rural and underserved clinical settings, and by increased awareness of topics including, behavioral and oral health integration, social determinants of health, cultural competency, practice transformation, and other current and emerging health issues.

“Missouri AHEC Scholars are a part of a national initiative to prepare tomorrow’s healthcare professionals to become leaders in interprofessional, transformative practice who serve those who need it the most,” said Stephanie Taylor, Director of the West Central Missouri AHEC. “These students will collaborate with other students representing various health professions including nursing, medical, dental, pharmacy, therapy, and allied health fields and position themselves to join or lead a diverse and culturally competent health workforce. We are very excited to include students from UMKC programs in this group.”

AHEC Scholars is funded by the Health Resources and Administration Association (HRSA) with support from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. For more information about the AHEC Scholars program contact Stephanie Taylor at 816-634-3346 or email stephanie.taylor@hccnetwork.org.

SNDA/HSDA Hosts Veneer Restoration Opportunity

Posted on by Audriana Thompson

This October, Student National Dental Association/Hispanic Student Dental Association (SNDA/HSDA) hosted a veneer restoration lecture and hands-on activity, co-sponsored by Ivoclar, to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and increase the clinical experience of members.

“The event turned out great,” said HSDA president, Gabriel Martin Sasamoto. “It was very rewarding to see that everyone was enjoying themselves and learning.”

Isabel Guevara, HSDA treasurer, expressed gratitude for the more personalized experience outside of regular class time with instructors Dr. Gustavo Leal, president of the Missouri Section of American College of Prosthodontics, and Dr. Derrick Williams. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to further develop my personal relationships with our incredible faculty and our organization’s members in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month,” she said.

Daysha Thorne, SNDA president, echoed that statement. “The hands-on activity was very helpful. I learned a lot of valuable skills that I can use not only in school but in practice as well.”

View photos from the event here.

 

 

 

School Hosts Prospective Students for Showcase Day

Posted on by Audriana Thompson

The dental school hosted a group of eager applicants on Friday, September 27 for a Showcase Day, where students met each other, faculty and staff and learned about the dental school experience.

From school tours, to a Class 1 Prep activity, applicants and their families got an inside look at what to expect if they attend.

Attendees also enjoyed a social gathering at Vested Coffee.

To view photos from the event, click here.

School Teams Up with the Kansas City Chiefs for TeamSmile

Posted on by Audriana Thompson

On September 24, student and faculty volunteers from the UMKC School of Dentistry made their way to Arrowhead to team up with the Chiefs for another TeamSmile event, sponsored by Humana, Sun Life/DentaQuest, Hunt Family Foundation, and SKYGEN, to deliver dental care to disadvantaged children.

According to TeamSmile, “By partnering with professional sports organizations, we create an experience that develops bonds between children’s organizations, oral health professionals, surrounding communities, and the athletes that solidify the message that oral health care is vitally important to long-term health.”

See photos from the event here.