School Welcomes its New DDS and DH Classes

Excitement surged through the UMKC School of Dentistry on Wednesday as members of the DDS Class of 2025 and DH Class of 2023 went through preliminary orientation activities. Besides having their photos taken, the students checked out how their computers work with the school’s systems and were fit tested for their masks.

The 109 members of the Dental Class of 2025 range in age from 21 to 35; 50 are females and 59 male. They split geographically this way: Missouri (59), Kansas (28), Arkansas (4), New Mexico (2), Hawaii (3), Kuwait (4), and one each from Arizona, California, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio and Oklahoma.

Many class members are entering right from their undergraduate degree programs, and some bring more varied life experience. Macila Arnold, for example, has been in the Army Reserves for about 10 years and worked in animal health care in and out of the military. Canine dental work was part of that, contributing to Arnold’s interest in dentistry.

“There is growth potential in both military and civilian sectors in the dentistry field, which was an encouragement to do the career change,” Arnold said. “The military does assist in paying for college, which allows me to focus on school and currently not work a full-time job.

“I am nervous and anxious to start my time at UMKC, but I have already connected with other students and feel that together we can conquer what lies ahead of us!”

The 30 women in the DH Class of 2023 mainly come from Missouri (18) and Kansas (11) and range in age from 19 to 35. One member of the class, Kennedy Bauer, said, “I am beyond excited to start my journey into dental hygiene school! UMKC was my first choice of school in part because it’s the one area program that offers a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.”

Bauer, a member of the track and cross country team, also said UMKC’s athletic programs were a draw for her.

“I am a little nervous about balancing being a student athlete in hygiene school, but the faculty here has already done an amazing job making sure each of their students is prepared,” Bauer said. “This program sets everyone up for success, and that is another factor that makes UMKC stand out among hygiene schools.”

Orientation continues Thursday with official greetings and more formal instruction on the curriculum, school policies and procedures, advice on budgeting and finances, and a general Q&A.

Find photos from the day here.