Lyon College holds groundbreaking for first dental school in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Lyon College is in the process of making history as college officials held a groundbreaking for the first dental school in Arkansas.

Dr. Burke Soffe, the founding dean of the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine, said the dental school will not only be a learning experience for students but also a resource for Arkansans.

School officials said in May that the locations for its School of Dental Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine will be in Little Rock and Cabot. The school will have an onsite clinic specializing in services for children, the elderly and people with special needs, Soffe said.

According to the Lyon College Institute of Health Sciences, the dental school is set to open in 2025. Soffe said the school will provide a three-year curriculum and will begin to welcome the first class of 80 students after receiving approval from the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

“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,” he said.

Lyon College president Melissa Taverner expressed her gratitude for the milestone and praised the board of trustees, faculty and staff who had a hand in creating the school. She also thanked Little Rock city leaders and other organizations for their support.

“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. Together, we are making history and paving the way for future generations of dental professionals in Arkansas.”

Local and state leaders also shared their congratulations, including Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, U.S. Sen. John Boozman and Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.

School officials said that Boozman contributed to addressing the shortage of dental professionals in the state with a $15 million federal appropriation to the dental school.

For more information on the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine, visit LyonInstitute.com .

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