Joplin KCU College of Dental Medicine nears completion
Members of the media got the chance to check out the progress of Kansas City University’s state-of-the-art College of Dental Medicine Thursday.
The $65 million dollar project is set to be completed in May, with the first class of dental student-doctors beginning their studies in June.
The 100,000 square foot space of dental education and clinical space sits adjacent to the existing College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Linda Niessen, Dean of the College of Dental Medicine, says this facility will be future-proof. “Part of the reason that we’ve invested in this technology is we’re training our students to practice dentistry in the future. They’re going to graduate in 2027 and we want them practicing through 2077.”
Niessen says the incoming class comes from all over the country, with half coming from the four-state area. “Many have bachelor degrees and master’s degrees as well. A few are retraining from other careers too.”
Once full enrolled, the KCU College of Dental Medicine expects to provide an additional 40,000-50,000 patient visits a year to the Joplin region.
Data shows that the four-state area has fewer dentists per capita than most areas of the country. “There’s a shortage of dentists in [the four-states],” said Niessen. “By putting the school here, we hope to recruit from the four-state area and we’re really focusing on recruiting individuals who grew up in small towns because if you grew up in a rural area you’re comfortable there, and you’re more likely to go back there.”
The first class of students will be able to participate in interprofessional education and practice experiences with osteopathic medicine and clinical psychology students.
