Attendees at the UMKC School of Dentistry annual benefit gala, Pouring from the Heart, celebrated 25 years of generosity on April 3, 2025. Hosted by the school’s Dr. Roy J. Rinehart Memorial Foundation, this year’s event raised more than $110,000. The funds aid student-patient clinical experiences in the school’s dental clinics. Every procedure funded provides essential care to a patient while giving students valuable hands-on experience as they work toward their degrees and prepare to serve their communities.

Each year, the school’s dental clinics provide approximately 60,000 patient visits and average $510,000 in uncompensated dental care. Patients are critical to the school’s mission of educating the next generation of dental professionals while giving students the opportunity to provide top-notch oral care. Under the guidance of dental faculty members, dental and dental hygiene students deliver much-needed comprehensive care — everything from routine dental cleanings to oral surgery — for the Kansas City community and beyond.

At each Pouring from the Heart, radio personality Steven St. John (B.A. ’96) returned to emcee, leading guests in a fun-filled night that includes a silent auction, a live auction, a fine jewelry raffle, a game of Heads or Tails and a 25th anniversary-celebratory signature cocktail.

As part of the evening’s festivities, Jancee Johnson (DDS ’25) shared the story of a patient she treated who got his smile back thanks to Pouring from the Heart funds. Johnson’s patient had a genetic disorder that left him without any teeth. Through Pouring from the Heart treatment vouchers, the patient received dentures that changed his life. According to Johnson, her patient shared that he was no longer being bullied at school because of his new smile. His confidence had grown tremendously, and he was extremely thankful for the generosity of Pouring from the Heart donors.