UMatters

[The following was provided by the UMKC Office of Public Relations.]

UMKC’s School of Dentistry (SOD) has received $1.5m to establish an Endowed Chair in Practice Management. The endowment represents a combined gift from three SOD alumni: Gary McCabe Ross (DDS ′80), Albuquerque, N.M.; Charles Squire (DDS ′68) and Mrs. Margit Squire, Wichita, Kan.; and Onas Johns (DDS ′32, deceased), Springfield, Mo.

The person appointed to the Endowed Chair position will work to develop a curriculum that prepares students for careers in private practice dentistry. The new Chair will also manage the day-to-day operations of the dental school’s planned Innovation Clinic.

The classroom portion of the curriculum will focus on exposing students to the realities of running a dental practice, such as how to finance a practice, manage debt and set realistic financial goals. They also will learn how to handle personnel matters like hiring, training and mentoring staff; create a budget; handle payroll; manage purchasing and evaluate contracts.