Lyon College gives first look at new dental school

Lyon College leaders gave a sneak preview of a new dental school – the first in Arkansas – on Thursday evening (July 25).

Located in Little Rock’s Riverdale neighborhood in the old Alltel headquarters, Lyon’s new dental school will occupy seven stories in the 12-story structure including the top floor. A previous effort to locate the dental school in the Heifer International headquarters in downtown Little Rock fell through months ago.

Renovations to the new space will be completed by Baldwin and Shell Construction of Little Rock. WDD Architects of North Little Rock is project architect.

“The Lyon College School of Dental Medicine will be a beacon of innovation and excellence, providing comprehensive dental education and services. We will feature an onsite clinic offering high-quality dental care to the community, including specialized services for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with special needs. This clinic will not only serve as a training ground for our students but also as a vital resource for the citizens of Arkansas, ensuring access to essential dental care,” said Dr. Burke Soffe, founding dean of the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine.

An anticipated 80 students per year will take part in a three-year curriculum to receive a degree. Soffe said the school is still on track to accept its first students over the next year and begin classes in June 2025.

He tells Talk Business & Politics that applications are already outpacing expectations.

“We’re excited to start going through those applications and start interviewing prospective students, but we’re excited that despite the fact that we aren’t a well-known commodity that students are applying,” he said.

The closest dental school to Arkansas is at the University of Memphis in Tennessee.

“Our innovative three-year curriculum is designed to accelerate learning while maintaining the highest standards of dental education. Upon receiving approval from the Commission on Dental Accreditation, we eagerly anticipate welcoming our inaugural class of 80 students. These students will be the pioneers of a new era in dental education in Arkansas, benefiting from high-quality facilities and a curriculum that emphasizes both academic rigor and practical experience. Our goal is to cultivate a new generation of dental professionals who are not only skilled clinicians but also compassionate caregivers dedicated to improving oral health outcomes across the state,” Soffe said.

Dr. Melissa Taverner, president of Lyon College, said the dental school is a turning point for the school, which is also launching a new veterinarian college in Cabot.

“This moment represents an incredible achievement for Lyon College and the state of Arkansas. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our board of trustees, Dr. Soffe, and all of our faculty and staff who are making this school a reality. Their dedication and hard work have turned a vision into reality, setting the stage for a transformative impact on dental education and healthcare in our state,” Taverner said.

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott was at the reception on Thursday. He welcomed Batesville-based Lyon College to Little Rock and central Arkansas.

“With the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine here in Arkansas’s capital city, it further cements Little Rock’s place as the center for health care and innovation for the entire state of Arkansas,” said Scott. “We are excited to welcome the state’s first-ever dental school to the Riverdale neighborhood and anticipate the positive, transformational outcomes for our community from having the best and brightest future dentists who will call Little Rock home. We appreciate Lyon’s trustees, Dr. Taverner and everyone who has worked to make this school a reality as we improve dental care in our city and region.”