I usually end my dean’s messages with a note of gratitude, but in this donor appreciation edition of Explorer, it seems much more fitting to start with thanks.

The contributions of our loyal alumni and friends, talented students, hardworking staff, faculty, administration and researchers committed to the very highest standards are what make us great. In this issue, we’re afforded the opportunity to recognize and express gratitude for extraordinary generosity, support and commitment.

Giving comes in various forms, not just monetary. Many give their time. Others, their talent. And some, like our graduates who serve in the dental corps of our armed services, show up for our country. We recognize their service and the remarkable care they provide the military and their families — no matter where they were called — in our cover story, Called to Serve, on page 10. Serving our country has been a long and proud tradition at UMKC, and to all our service members, we say “thank you.”

The practice of dentistry is flourishing, and as times change, we’re developing along with it. We’re seeing more applications than ever. We’re drawing in the best and brightest, including our incoming classes, which you can read about on page 18.

These students are starting their journey as we’re in the final planning and design workshops for the new Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building, which will house most of our clinical programs and will be a state- of-the-art dental home for our patients. Our new students will be the first class to start and finish their clinical experience in the new facility. An update on the project can be found on page 6. We feel it’s equally important to invest in the current facility. Many key operations will remain, and cosmetic improvements and updates, including security enhancements, are planned. Our Dental Faculty Practice has relocated into a new space that will have new equipment, allowing us to test chairs and delivery units being considered for the new building.

As exciting things continue to happen locally, we’re continuing our commitment to providing care for underserved and rural areas. We are constantly seeking meaningful experiences to offer students, like a new rural health rotation program opportunity in Salina, Kansas, highlighted on page 20.

In this issue, we say farewell to several of our retired colleagues. We’re grateful for their contributions and wish them the very best. With departures come opportunities for faculty and administrators to join the school. We welcomed the new chair of Orthodontics and the new director of our Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program, which has reopened after a year’s hiatus.

Accepting my appointment as dean has come with challenges, but those have been outweighed by wonderful opportunities and the remarkable and committed family here at UMKC School of Dentistry.

With gratitude,

Steven E. Haas, D.M.D., J.D., MBA
Dean, UMKC School of Dentistry