Lyon College Gives First Look at New Dental School

Lyon College officials gave a sneak peek at a new dental school Thursday night (July 25) — the first in Arkansas.

Lyon’s new dental school, located in Little Rock’s Riverdale neighborhood in the old Alltel headquarters, will occupy seven floors of the 12-story building, including the top floor. An earlier attempt to locate the dental school in Heifer International’s headquarters in downtown Little Rock failed months ago.

Renovations of the new space are being completed by Baldwin and Shell Construction of Little Rock. WDD Architects of North Little Rock is the 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 have an on-site clinic that provides 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.

It is expected that 80 students per year will enroll in a three-year curriculum to earn a degree. Soffe said the school is still on track to accept its first students next year and begin classes in June 2025.

He tells Talk Business & Politics that the registrations are already exceeding expectations.

“We are excited to start processing applications and interviewing potential students. We are also excited that students are applying, even though we are not a household name,” he said.

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

“Our innovative three-year curriculum is designed to accelerate learning while maintaining the highest standards of dental education. Following approval from the Commission on Dental Accreditation, we look forward to welcoming our first class of 80 students. These students will be the pioneers of a new era in dental education in Arkansas, benefiting from top-notch facilities and a curriculum that emphasizes both academic rigor and hands-on experience. Our goal is to cultivate a new generation of dental professionals who are not only skilled clinicians, but also compassionate caregivers committed to improving oral health throughout the state,” said Soffe.

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

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

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott was at the reception Thursday, welcoming Lyon College from Batesville to Little Rock and central Arkansas.

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