Practice models in the dental profession are undergoing changes that reflect the current business environment. This is especially true in multiple practice settings which encompasses the fastest growing segment in our industry. The increasing demand for more comprehensive business knowledge in dentistry has created a special opportunity for dental students at UMKC. To combine the clinical acumen of the dental profession with a deeper understanding of business and management essentials, the UMKC School of Dentistry and the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management have teamed up to offer the opportunity for Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) students to also start and potentially complete their Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the same time.

As the field of health care becomes more complex and more focused on cost-effectiveness, profitability, and managing resources, an understanding of business analytics, accounting, innovation, finance, decision-making, personnel management, strategic planning, and related areas is crucial for today’s practicing dentist, no matter what career option you choose. Regardless of whether you enter the private sector, public health, corporate dentistry, the military, or academics, an increased understanding of the business side of the profession will be beneficial.

UMKC’s Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Professional MBA degrees are offered cooperatively by the School of Dentistry and the Henry W. Bloch School of Management respectively. This ground-breaking combined degree program permits completion of all dental and business school requirements concurrently.

Graduates of the UMKC DDS and Professional MBA programs would offer an unique perspective in any facet of the dental profession. Some examples might include:

• Establishing and managing business essentials in the private sector
• Community outreach & public health clinic providers and management
• Research & development opportunities
• Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) as an entrepreneur or employee
• Administrative & business positions in academia and the armed forces

Cross-Acceptance of Degree Hours

Students in both programs are able to pursue two separate degrees. A major benefit of the program is that it results in a reduction in the number of credit hours in the MBA Program as students may apply six (6) credit hours of Doctor of Dental Surgery coursework towards the MBA degree.

The MBA Program will allow the following courses to substitute as electives in the Bloch PMBA:

• DENT 6306 Transitions: An Introduction to the Profession and Practice of Dentistry (0.5 credit hours)
• DENT 6307 Transitions: Introduction to the Profession & Practice of Dentistry II (0.5 credit hours)
• DENT 6402 Transitions: Introduction to the Profession and Practice of Dentistry III (0.5 credit hours)
• DENT 6403 Transitions: Introduction to the Profession & Practice of Dentistry IV (0.5 credit hours)
• DENT 6518 Transitions: Introduction to the Profession & Practice of Dentistry V (1.0 credit hours)
• DENT 6520 Transitions: Introduction to the Profession & Practice of Dentistry VI (1.0 credit hours)
• DENT 6615 Transitions: Introduction to the Profession & Practice of Dentistry VII (1.0 credit hours)
• DENT 6616 Transitions: Introduction to the Profession and Practice of Dentistry VIII (1.0 credit hours)

Application Procedure, Admission and Program Approval

Students interested in the coordinated DDS/MBA program must be admitted to the UMKC Doctor of Dental Surgery program.  Admission to the MBA program is a separate process. The UMKC program is offered in person or online.

Eligibility

To be considered for admission into the UMKC MBA program, DDS students must have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university prior to entry in the DDS and MBA programs.

Affordability

We know that paying for college is an important part of your decision-making process. There are many things you need to factor in, including tuition, residency (Missouri or out-of-state), fees, the cost of books and much more.  There is help available and it comes in many forms: federal loans, scholarships and grants. Students on this pathway will be charged additional tuition and book expenses through the UMKC MBA program.  Options are available through federal financial aid to adjust and increase a student’s eligible semester budget based on these expenses.  For students planning to complete courses after completion of the DDS, at least half-time graduate enrollment (5 credit hours or more) in a degree-seeking program (MBA) is required to maintain loan deferment from repayment.  Affordability details are available at https://bloch.umkc.edu/admissions/affordability.html.

Application Process

The regular application process for admission to each School must be followed.

• MBA program Admission Instructions
• DDS Program Application Instructions

How to Apply

Admission to the MBA program is selective. A completed application includes all of the following:

• UMKC application, plus application fee.
• Official transcripts* (one copy) from all colleges/universities attended, sent to:
  • UMKC Office of Admissions / 120 Administrative Center / 5100 Rockhill Road / Kansas City, MO 64110-2499

*Alternatively, you may also wish to work with the UMKC Dentistry Student Affairs Office regarding transcripts since they have received official copies.

If your prior university sends electronic transcripts, they should be sent to umkc-admtranscript@umkc.edu.

• Dentistry College Admission Test (DAT) percentile scores sent from the Dentistry Student Affairs Office.
• A current resume. This can be submitted via e-mail to Blochgrad@umkc.edu or uploaded to the UMKC MBA Application.
• A one-page goal statement that describes your career plans, why you desire to attend UMKC, and why you want to obtain the MBA. This can be submitted via e-mail to Blochgrad@umkc.edu or uploaded to the UMKC MBA Application.
• International applicants who do not have a university degree from a U.S. university are required to submit results from the TOEFL or IELTS. A minimum of 100 on the TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS is required to be considered for admission.

Acceptance and Progression 

DDS students admitted to the MBA program must maintain good academic standing in both programs. 

Minimum good academic standing for the DDS program is current enrollment in the Doctor of Dentistry program, 2.5 minimum cumulative grade point average, 2.5 minimum previous semester grade point average, and not on probation. The DDS program reserves the right to restrict the number of semester credit hours to those indicated in the timeline table below which includes a maximum of 6 credit hours per semester. Students must petition the SOD Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for any additional credit hours. Further, students in a “probationary or dismissal” status may not enroll in MBA courses for the subsequent term(s).

Minimum academic standing for the MBA program requires attainment of a cumulative Bloch School graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better, including grades of B (3.0) or better in 80% of the Bloch School courses completed. 

Due to different grading standards, separate GPA calculations for each program will be listed on the transcripts and credit hours are not included in the other programs GPA calculation or academic policies.

Contact Information

The MBA application is handled through the Henry W. Bloch School of Management. For more information about the program’s curriculum or on how to apply, contact the Managing Director of Graduate Programs, Gene Pegler – (816) 235-5254.

DDS students are also encouraged to contact the following School of Dentistry Resources:

• Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, 816-235-2010 - Any course work taken outside the dental curriculum requires that a student is in good standing and must be pre-approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
• Dr David Thein, Clinical Professor, Practice Management Curriculum Development, theind@umkc.edu, 816-235-5253

Recommended Course Timeline / Map

*A maximum of seven years will be allowed for completion of MBA degree requirements.