Missouri dental school expands enrollment by 33% to address dentist shortage
Missouri dental school expands to address aging workforce. Practical for workforce planning in the region.
A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health will increase its student body from 63 to 84 students, marking a 33% expansion approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The growth begins in July 2027 and aims to address workforce shortages in the state.
Why Missouri needs more dentists
Approximately 45% of dentists currently practicing in Missouri are age 55 or older, according to Gaylah Sublette, president of ATSU's Missouri campus. This demographic shift threatens the availability of dental care across the state. By expanding its student cohort, the school expects to increase the pipeline of new graduates entering Missouri's dental workforce.
How the expansion will work
Dental students at ATSU spend their first two years on the Kirksville campus before relocating to the school's St. Louis Dental Center for clinical training. The expansion requires additional faculty and staff to support the larger cohort. Enrollment growth is scheduled to begin in July 2027.
Frequently asked questions
How many dental students will A.T. Still University admit after the expansion?
The school will increase enrollment from 63 to 84 students, a 33% expansion. The growth begins in July 2027.
Why is Missouri expanding its dental school enrollment?
Approximately 45% of Missouri dentists are age 55 or older, creating a significant workforce gap. The expansion aims to increase the supply of new dentists to meet future demand.
Where do A.T. Still University dental students train?
Students spend their first two years on the Kirksville campus and then move to the school's St. Louis Dental Center for their final years of clinical training.
When does the dental school enrollment expansion begin?
The expansion of faculty, staff, and increased student enrollment begins in July 2027.
