Lyon College Dental School Receives Initial Accreditation, Plans to Welcome First Students in June

A rendering of the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine in Little Rock (WDD Architects rendering provided by Lyon College)

National accreditors approved Lyon College’s plans to open Arkansas’ first dental school later this year in Little Rock.

The Commission on Dental Accreditation awarded Lyon “initial accreditation” following a site visit, plan reviews and interviews with faculty and administrators, said Dr. Burke Soffe, dean of the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine. The initial approval allows the school, which will be located 5 Allied Drive in the Riverdale neighborhood, to welcome its first class of students in June. The school will be eligible for full accreditation after the first class graduates.

“This moment signifies the foundation of a new era in oral health for our state,” Soffe said. “I am beyond proud of our team and excited for the future of oral health in Arkansas.”

Accreditation is the culmination of ambitious plans Lyon announced in 2022 to open Arkansas’ first dental school as well as a veterinary school. (Lyon officials plan to unveil architectural renderings for the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine this afternoon in Cabot, where the school will be located.)

Leaders at Lyon College, located in Batesville, began exploring the idea for a dental school largely in response to Arkansas’ near-bottom position in many national oral health rankings. It is one of 14 states without a dental school and the only state with more than 2.5 million people and no dental school. 

The first dental students will begin coursework in June with plans to graduate in 2028, thanks to a special curriculum that is completed in three years instead of the standard four.

There will be 80 students in each class, meaning 240 students will attend the school once it’s at full capacity.

Renovations are underway on seven floors at Riverfront Plaza with Baldwin & Shell of Little Rock as construction manager and WDD Architects of North Little Rock as the project architect. The space will house classrooms, a simulation clinic and a 100-chair patient clinic. 

“Our patient care clinic will be a vital resource for Arkansas, ensuring access to high-quality dental services for thousands of residents each year,” Soffe said. “With a particular focus on serving vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly and those with special needs, this clinic will also act as an exceptional training ground for our students, preparing them to deliver compassionate care throughout their careers.”

In addition to Arkansas’ poor health standing, the state is home to a rapidly aging population of dentists, who on average are over the age of 50. 

Lyon College President Melissa Taverner said the accreditation reflected the hard work of the school’s faculty, staff and supporters. 

“Oral health is closely tied to overall health, and as the population ages, the demand for skilled dental professionals is growing exponentially,” Taverner said. “The Lyon College School of Dental Medicine will not only help meet this demand but also serve as a beacon of hope for the communities we serve. We are investing in Arkansas’ future and building a program that will transform lives for generations.”