Dentists make a ton of money in the United States, and it is no different in Missouri or elsewhere. The profession is projected to grow by 8 percent between 2020 to 2030, making it one of the most in-demand healthcare professions in the world.
However, dentistry is one of the tougher healthcare professions; hence, the acceptance rate of dental schools in Missouri is 5.1 percent. This means that to gain admission to dental schools in Missouri, you have to work extremely hard, and excel academically. But you are assured of a truly rewarding career.
With that out of the way, we have compiled a list of the best dental schools in Missouri for you. Let’s dive in.
Overview of Dental Schools in Missouri
There are three dental schools in Missouri. They offer a variety of programs and have different admissions requirements. The number of students enrolled at each school ranges from 96 to 857, and the number of graduates per year ranges from 10 to 33.
Job Outlook for Dentists in Missouri
Dentists in the United States earn a whopping $163,200 on an annual average according to B.L.S, and the profession is projected to grow by 8 percent from 2020 to 2030 (as fast as average).
However, there are many factors that affect the outlook of dental practitioners in Missouri. These figures include:
- The growth rate of the state’s population is estimated at 0.69 percent annually.
- The number of practicing dentists in Missouri is expected to grow by 1.1 percent by 2026.
- The annual salary for a dentist in Missouri is between $170,000 – $183,000 on average, making it one of the highest paying states for this profession. Thus, competition is extremely high.
- The cost of living index for St Louis is 81.3 compared with 100 across all US metro areas (this means it costs less to live there). Hence, Missouri records a high migration of dentists from other states coming to live and practice the profession there.
Related: Dental Schools in Ohio
How to Become a Dentist in Missouri
A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for admission to dental school. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or international students in F-1 status and enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university at the time of application.
A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (although 3.5 is considered more competitive) is required for admission into a dental program; however, most schools set higher standards for their individual programs of study and may require an additional year of undergraduate work (e.g., majoring in biology).
Dental school is extremely competitive: only about one in four applicants are typically admitted to a dental school program each year. In 2015 alone there were almost 8,000 candidates vying for just 2,200 spots across allopathic medical schools nationwide including those within Missouri itself.
Popular Read: Dentist Schools in California
Other processes to become a dentist in Missouri include:
- Pass the Dental Admission Test (DAT).
- Enroll in a doctorate dental school in Missouri.
- Complete two years of coursework in biological sciences.
- Pass the National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) Part I. There is a fee attached. Typically $40 – $150.
- Complete two more years of coursework in dental school.
- Pass the NBDE Part II. There is an application fee attached.
- Graduate from dental school.
- Apply for, and obtain licensure to practice dentistry in Missouri. The dental specialist fee costs $150.
- Pass the licensure test to obtain a practicing license in Missouri.
- Apply for jobs.
- Take continuing education courses to maintain your license.
You Can Read: How to Become a Dentist in Houston for a full breakdown.
Entrance Requirements for Missouri Dental Schools
In Missouri, the average GPA for students entering dental schools in the state is 3.0 minimum. This figure was determined by looking at all of the previous year’s class rosters and calculating the average GPA for each school.
However, this does not mean that your chances of getting into a dental school are doomed if you have a low GPA—nearly half of all students admitted to these programs had GPAs under 3.4.
Furthermore, every medical school has its own set of requirements and admission guidelines that can vary from year to year based on applicant numbers and other factors like funding levels from state governments or private donors who help fund scholarships for future doctors-in-training.
Still, it never hurts to aim high when preparing yourself mentally before beginning applications. There may be room available at another university nearby where requirements are different than one might expect them to be based on what we’ve seen here today.
Salary of Dentists in Missouri
The average salary of dentists in Missouri is just over $181,000 per year. In other states, it is typically lower. And in comparison with other healthcare-based professions, Dentists are far more well-paid. Only professionals like Surgeons can boast of better pay.
In terms of dental-related professions, Dental Assistants earn $68,073 annually.
Orthodontists (teeth and jaw alignment) are the highest-paid dental-related professionals. In Missouri, they earn $283,660 per year.
Periodontists (gum specialists) in Missouri make an annual base average salary of $220,117 in Missouri.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons make $192,975 in Missouri per year.
The Dental Hygienists in Missouri make $84,211 at the same time.
The Dental Lab Technicians in Missouri earn an average income of $92,129 annually.
If you are looking for a job where you will make more money than the dentist role but still want a hands-on career where you are helping people every day then check out the “dental schools near me”.
Tuition Information of Dental Schools in Missouri
Here is the tuition breakdown of what dental schools in Missouri cost:
| Dental Schools in Missouri | Tuition fee per year (resident students) | Tuition fee per year (international students) |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | $19,203.45 | $38,272.30 |
| Saint Louis University School of Dentistry | $20,880 | $20,880 |
| A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health | $79,742 (2021/22) | $79,742 (2021/22) |
| Midwest Technical Institute (Dental Assistant program) | $14,711 | $14,711 |
List of Dental Schools in Missouri
The following are the best dental schools in Missouri:
The University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Dentistry, Kansas
Located in Kansas City, Missouri, the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Dentistry is the oldest dental school in the state. Since its establishment, the school has been educating generations of dentists ever since.
Feeling like you need a change from your current school? Maybe one that offers more opportunities for hands-on training and learning from real patients? At UMKC they believe in training doctors who will become leaders through mutual respect, shared commitment, and creative problem-solving.
UMKC is the only public dental school in Missouri, and it is widely reputed to be the home of the best dental programs in Missouri, thanks to its unique teaching style, its nationally-recognized research professors, and state-of-the-art medical facilities. UMKC’s School of Dentistry is unmatched in the whole of Missouri state.
The school offers various dentist specialty programs, like:
- Endodontics,
- Periodontics,
- Orthodontics,
- Dental Hygiene, and
- Resident Oral Surgery programs.
The school also has various tuition assistance programs, as well as financial aid for candidates who qualify.
Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education, Bridgeton
The Saint Louis University School of Dentistry (CADE), St. Louis is one of the top dental schools in Missouri and a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Dental Association. The school offers a four-year program that leads to an ADA-approved Doctorate degree in dentistry (DMD).
A continuing education program has been established at SLU’s Center for Advanced Education located on an off-campus site where students can take graduate courses while they are completing their clinical training or serving their externships. Students may choose from two tracks: general dentistry or pediatric dentistry.
SLU’s CADE offers specialty dental programs in Missouri in pediatric dentistry (for children), periodontics, endodontics, and orthodontics; it has been called the first facility for advanced dental education in Missouri and it also doubles as a top dental school in the state.
Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health at A.T. Still University (ATSU), St. Louis
A.T. Still University (ATSU) Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health is only one of the two dental schools in St. Louis, and it’s one of the few dental schools in the U.S. that isn’t exclusive to four-year students (though they do offer a BS/DDS joint degree).
The ATSU School of Dentistry also offers a number of unique opportunities to students—including an accelerated program for transfer students, who can complete their bachelor’s degree while pursuing their doctorate.
The school has an enrollment of around 200 students and boasts a small class size with a ratio of one faculty member to every five students.
Despite the prestige of this school, ATSU is also very expensive; the tuition cost for the 2021/2022 session is $79,792 (which will increase to $83,140 in the 2022/23 to 2025/2027 sessions). At ATSU, the tuition fee is paid twice in an academic year – first at the beginning of the first semester, and then at the beginning of the second semester.
ATSU also has strict finance policies. Delinquent tuition payments attract a 1.5 percent fee added to the next payment. Thus, a lot of students may find this difficult to cope with. But altogether, ATSU is a great dental school, and they offer comprehensive programs in periodontics, orthodontics, and oral surgery.
The Following Schools Offer Dental Assistant Programs in Missouri
We have listed the best dental schools in Missouri. However, if you are interested in dental assistant programs in Missouri instead, these are your best options:
Concorde Career College-Kansas City, Kansas
Concorde Career College-Kansas City is a for-profit school that offers programs in dental assisting, dental hygiene, and dental technology. Accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), Concorde has been serving students since 1999.
Students receive hands-on training in classrooms and clinical settings to learn about procedures such as dentistry, anesthesia, oral surgery, and endodontics. The curriculum also prepares students for employment as registered dental assistants or hygienist assistants by covering topics such as infection control, sterile technique, and emergency care.
The school also provides training on how to use several different types of equipment used in dentistry today (such as ultrasonic scalers). And because many colleges offer online courses these days—some even at no cost—it’s possible to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree while still maintaining your current job.
Missouri State University College of Health and Human Services, Department of Dental Hygiene, Springfield
Missouri State University’s Department of Dental Hygiene, Springfield is a public institution that was founded in 1913. The school offers degrees at the following levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate (Ph.D.). There are 12 departments within the college.
The most popular programs are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Medical Laboratory Science/Medical Laboratory Technician; Clinical Laboratory Science/Clinical Laboratory Technician; Nursing Assistant/Aide and Hospitality Management.
Midwest Technical Institute, Fenton
Midwestern Technical Institute is a private, not-for-profit institution located in Fenton, Missouri. MTI offers a variety of programs, including dental assistant and dental hygiene.
Founded in 1995 by Brian Huff, the college has grown to include four campuses in Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa. MTI offers one of the best dental assistant programs in Missouri.
Popular FAQs
When you’re researching medical schools, it’s natural to have a lot of questions. Fortunately, we have the answers. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about dental schools in Missouri:
How many dental schools are there in Missouri?
There are currently three accredited dental schools in Missouri, including one public university, and two private institutions. In the United States generally, there are 70 dental and dental-related schools.
How many years does it take to become a dentist?
It takes about 8 to 10 years of school to become a dentist. The first four years are spent in a Bachelor of Science program, where you’ll take classes like biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. You’ll learn about the human body and how it functions. You’ll also get an introduction to the history of dentistry.
After your bachelor’s degree, you’ll continue on to dental school for another four years. During this time, you’ll learn how to diagnose and treat patients with oral diseases and disorders. You’ll also learn how to prevent oral diseases in healthy patients through routine checkups and cleanings.
After dental school comes two more years of specialty training (optional but important) in a hospital or clinic setting before you can become licensed as a dentist.
Related: Dentistry in Las Vegas: Everything You Should Know
Is studying Dentistry worth it?
The answer is YES!
Dentistry is one of the most rewarding professions you can choose, and it’s not just about helping people look and feel better. You’ll be able to help them live healthier lives, too.
As a dentist, you’ll see your patients every day and get to know them well—and that means you’re in a unique position to educate them about the importance of oral health. Your patients will trust your advice because they know you, and they’ll be more likely to take care of their teeth because they know you’ll be there to help them if anything goes wrong.
You’ll also have the opportunity to help your community by providing free services for people who can’t afford them. And if that isn’t enough, there’s always the fact that dentists are some of the highest-paid professionals out there. So if you’re thinking about going into dentistry, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise: it’s worth it.
Is dentistry competitive?
Dentistry is competitive, but there are still plenty of opportunities to make a great living. You can start your own practice, work for a large company, or even work remotely if you’re okay with working with remote patients.
To be successful in dentistry, you’ll have to have the right set of skills and abilities. You need to be able to talk to people, listen to them when they talk back, and make sure that they feel comfortable throughout the process.
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Final Thoughts
Missouri is a great place to study dentistry. The state hosts some of the best dental schools in the country and has a rich history of dental education. If you’re interested in becoming a dentist, you should consider applying to Missouri’s top-ranked dental schools.
Wrapping It Up
Dental schools in Missouri provide students with an excellent education and a chance to enter the dental field. The job outlook for dentists in Missouri is very good, and many opportunities exist for graduates to earn high salaries. Dentists have a great deal of flexibility in their career choices, which allows them to work with different patients while still enjoying their chosen profession.