Plans remain in works for a College of Dental Medicine in Joplin

Plans remain in the works to construct and open a KCU College of Dental Medicine in Joplin.

However, the school might not see its first students until the fall of 2023 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The structure would be built adjacent to the KCU Medical School in Joplin.

Part of the dental school will be housed in a portion of what was the temporary Mercy Hospital constructed south of the old St. Johns Hospital site after the 2011 Joplin tornado.

Ultimately, the new dental school will have three stories and be connected to the Medical school with a walkway.

Officials say groundbreaking should take place later this year.