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

Dr. Timothy Cox Named Curators’ Distinguished Professor
9 Sep 2025 | Recognized Among the Best of the Best Read full story Dr. Timothy Cox Named Curators’ Distinguished Professor

Dr. Roy J. Rinehart Foundation Welcomes New Students with BBQ Lunch and UMKC Pullovers
5 Sep 2025 | Dental School hosts a warm welcome. Read full story Dr. Roy J. Rinehart Foundation Welcomes New Students with BBQ Lunch and UMKC Pullovers

A Great Day for Lunch on the Lawn!
3 Sep 2025 | Annual Lunch on the Lawn Read full story A Great Day for Lunch on the Lawn!

Welcome to Dental School and the “K”!
2 Sep 2025 | UMKC Dental Alumni Association rolled out a big welcome Read full story Welcome to Dental School and the “K”!

Orientation for the DDS Class of 2029 and DH Class of 2027 Wraps
23 Aug 2025 | Highlights of Day 3 Orientation at the Dental School Read full story Orientation for the DDS Class of 2029 and DH Class of 2027 Wraps

DDS Class of 2029 and Dental Hygiene Class of 2027 Orientation Continues
21 Aug 2025 | Day 2 of Orientation was full of energy, learning, and community building. Read full story DDS Class of 2029 and Dental Hygiene Class of 2027 Orientation Continues