Joplin, Mo.-based Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine completed its construction and is set to welcome its first class of students this fall, according to a June 26 report by The Joplin Globe.
The school's first class will have 80 students, which will help address the state's need for dentists in underserved areas.
The $80 million project is expected to have an annual financial impact of $45 million on the Joplin area and create 200 jobs, the report said.
The new school features a simulation lab with 84 stations which can accurately simulate dental decay, periodontal disease and root canals. There are also intraoral cameras that aid in identifying and diagnosing plaque formations, cavities, gum disease and chipped teeth.
Plans for the dental school were initially unveiled in 2019.