Director:

Jeff Nickel, D.M.D., MSc, Ph.D.

Faculty:

Laura Iwasaki, D.D.S., MSc, Ph.D., Leo Rogers Chair; Don Thompson, D.D.S., M.S.D, Clinic Director; Steve Billings, D.D.S.; Dustin Burleson, D.D.S.; Frank Crist, D.D.S., M.S.; Vance Dykhouse, D.D.S., M.S.; Scott Hamilton, D.D.S., M.S.D.; Kurt Hoffman, D.D.S.; Mike Klein, D.D.S.; Kurt Muehlebach, D.D.S.; James Osborne, D.D.S.; Ingrid Reed, D.D.S., M.S.; Brad Smith, D.D.S.; Jeff Thompson, D.D.S., M.S.; Don Wilson, D.D.S.; Ling Ye, Ph.D.

 

Program Overview

The advanced education program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics has existed since 1946. Approximately 350 UMKC orthodontists have graduated from the UMKC program and are located in many states and some foreign countries.

This is a full-time, 30 month program that begins in July. It is designed to prepare the student for community practice of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. Curriculum emphasis is placed on the edgewise technique and on interceptive and functional treatment. Management of craniofacial anomalies is taught didactically and clinically in association with the craniofacial team at Children's Mercy Hospital. Objective inquiry and statistical validation are emphasized in all aspects of this program. Completion of an original research project and paper is required. The computerized clinic facility is a working-research model that simulates the private practice environment. Courses, clinics, and dedicated research time are organized to facilitate the completion of an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in oral biology.  A separate application is required for the M.S. or Ph.D. program.

 

 

Application and Acceptance

Applications are considered from the following groups:

 

• Fourth-year dental students from American Dental Association (ADA) or Canadian Dental Association (CDA) Accredited schools who are in the top 50 percent of their graduating class.
• Graduates of ADA or CDA accredited dental schools who ranked in the top 50 percent of their graduating classes and have satisfactorily completed a general practice residency or other dental specialty program prior to application.
• Graduates of a School of Dentistry who ranked in the top 50 percent of their class and has been in general practices.

Selection of candidates is a twofold process. First, candidates are stratified on the basis of academic and professional performance: national board scores, GRE scores, class standing, other specialty program, practice experience, leadership roles in organized dental groups, dental school teaching, research experience and recommendations are considered.

Secondly, applicants meeting screening criteria are invited for interviews. All interviews are conducted at the School of Dentistry on the same day and all invited candidates must attend this session to be eligible for final selection into the class. If offered a position in a class, this offer, like all offers from the University, is contingent upon a successful background screening.  In order to begin the background screening, you must complete a Disclosure form and return it to Human Resources within two business days. Three residents are accepted into this program annually.

Application for admission MUST be through the ADEA PASS program and completed on or before September 1st of the year prior to planned enrollment. For more information, check the website http://dentistry.umkc.edu/patient_information/orthdentorthopedics.shtml or the Information Bulletin.  Each will provide information on the Graduate orthodontic Program.

 

Stipend

Thirty-three percent of clinical fee collections (as defined in the Financial Assistance section).*

*Available to eligible program residents (i.e., those who have earned a D.D.S./D.M.D. degree from an American Dental Association- or a Canadian Dental Association-accredited program).

 

Tuition and Fees

Estimated tuition costs may be found in the fees section of this catalog. There are additional fees for books, laptop computer and required meeting attendance associated with this program.

 

Instruments

Residents are required to pay an "instrument usage" fee to the school. All instruments are provided and are maintained by the Central Sterilization program of the school.

 

Financial Assistance

Up-to-date information on additional financial assistance may be found in the school financial aids charts at http://www.sfa.umkc.edu/.