In January 2025, Daniel Brunner (DDS ’96), M.D., began conversations with UMKC fundraisers about supporting the new UMKC Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building. Brunner was inspired by the Suchmans, a School of Dentistry alumni family who gave the first major gift to the building.

Brunner’s $250,000 pledge will ensure that the School of Dentistry’s new acute care clinic inside the building will bear Brunner’s family name, the idea of which he finds humbling.

“In 60 years from now, 80 years from now, it’s still going to be there and it’s still going to be helping people,” Brunner said. “There’s a real sense of pride in knowing that I’m supporting a clinic that’s going to be outstanding in a building of excellence.”

“If the acute care clinic was there when I was a student, I would probably have spent my evenings, weekends, as much time there as I possibly could,” Brunner said while reflecting on the importance of supporting the clinic.

Eric Gottman (DDS ’01, PROSTH ’04), interim associate dean for clinical programs, said the clinic will be an emergency area with endodontics and oral surgery in the same place.

The clinic will have its own entrance so it can remain open evenings and weekends. This extended service will benefit patients seeking emergency care after hours, and it will also provide some relief for area emergency rooms.

According to Gottman, each year, more than two million people nationwide with dental pain go to the ER to seek care.

“These patients don’t receive the treatment they need,” Gottman said. “They’re typically evaluated and given antibiotics and pain medication, so the problem doesn’t get solved. The acute care clinic will alleviate some of those pressures on ER departments while being able to perform the treatment the patient needs.”