Dentist Salary in Missouri (2026)

Worth knowing: Missouri operates two distinctive dental education institutions. The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry (founded 1881) is the only DDS-granting institution in Missouri, graduating ~110 DDS dentists per year. A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (Kirksville, opened 2013) operates a DMD program with ~50 graduates per year, focused on rural + underserved practice missions. Together these programs supply roughly 50-60% of MO's licensed dentist pipeline; the remainder come from out-of-state DDS programs (Indiana University School of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Iowa). MO is HPSA-designated for dental health professional shortage in roughly 50% of counties (predominantly rural southeast + south-central MO) — driving sustained loan-forgiveness programs and rural-practice premium. DSO networks (Heartland Dental, Pacific Dental, Aspen Dental, Dental One) have aggressive MO suburban presence in St. Louis + Kansas City + Springfield. The 1% city earnings tax in St. Louis applies to dental practice wages earned within city limits — most suburban dental practices avoid this; BJC HealthCare oral surgery + endodontic practices on the WashU/BJC Central West End campus pay 1% on city-earned wages.