UMKC Expanding School of Dentistry in St. Joseph to Address Dentist Shortage

Posted March 11, 2025

Chancellor Mauli Agrawal of the University of Missouri-Kansas City announced a new academic expansion in the school of dentistry during the 2025 State of the University meeting.

UMKC seeks $12 million in funding from state, federal, and philanthropic sources to launch an expanded dental program in St. Joseph. The program would use space on Missouri Western State University’s campus.

The program aims to target the shortage of dentists in the northwest region.

“We are proud to announce a proposed satellite program for the UMKC School of Dentistry in St. Joseph, designed to address the severe shortage of dentists and dental hygienists in the surrounding counties,” Agrawal said during the presentation on Monday.

While UMKC is still awaiting approval and funding before the program is officially launched, the university plans to open the program in the fall of 2027.

The new campus would add 10 dental students per year—40 total when fully operational—increasing UMKC dental graduate output by 10% Additionally, the dental hygiene program would add five students per year, increasing UMKC dental hygiene graduates by 15%. Dental students’ first two years would be spent in Kansas City and complete clinical training in St. Joseph. Dental hygiene students would also split their studies between Kansas City and St. Joseph.

The UMKC 2025 State of the University meeting follows the university’s announcement it achieved the Carnegie R1 (Research 1) designation. The classification places UMKC with other top-ranked elite research universities.