Dent County is located in the south-central region of Missouri. It is part of the Ozark Plateau and is bordered by Phelps, Crawford, Texas, Shannon, and Wright counties. The county seat is Salem. The county was organized in 1851.

The county is governed by a three-member county commission, elected from three districts. Other elected officials include a sheriff, prosecuting attorney, assessor, collector, coroner, surveyor, and public administrator.

The county is served by the Dent-Phelps R-III School District, which includes Salem Elementary, Salem Middle, and Salem High School. The county also has several private schools.

The economy of Dent County is largely based on agriculture, with corn, soybeans, and hay being the primary crops. Other industries include manufacturing, retail, and tourism. The county is home to several state parks, including Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, Elephant Rocks State Park, and Taum Sauk Mountain State Park.

For the most up-to-date and in-depth information, please check the public records links below.