Lyon College School of Dental Medicine: Shaping the Future of Oral Healthcare in Arkansas

Lyon College has expanded its academic offerings by establishing the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine (LCSDM) in Little Rock. This initiative marks a significant milestone for both the college and the state of Arkansas, addressing the growing demand for skilled dental professionals and improving access to quality oral healthcare.

Strategic Location and Expansion

Lyon College finalized the locations for its School of Dental Medicine and School of Veterinary Medicine in Little Rock and Cabot. Recognizing the importance of proximity to related entities, Lyon College leadership decided to locate the dental school in Little Rock, close to existing medical institutions. The Lyon College School of Dental Medicine will occupy floors 1-6 and 12 in Riverfront Plaza Building 5, formerly housing Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield offices.

According to Dr. Melissa Taverner, president of Lyon College, Little Rock offers unparalleled opportunities for students to gain practical experience and expertise in oral health and dental medicine. The location in Arkansas’s capital city will be an excellent addition to a world-renowned medical ecosystem that serves the entire region.

Development and Approvals

The Lyon College Faculty Assembly and Board of Trustees approved proposals to develop dental and veterinary schools in March 2022. In November 2022, the Higher Learning Commission Institutional Actions Council approved the college’s requests to offer the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Doctor of Medical Dentistry professional degrees.

Victor Werley, chair of the Lyon College Board of Trustees, stated that these new schools will play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare in Arkansas and beyond as Lyon College continues to expand its academic offerings and strengthen its footprint as a leader in higher education.

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Community Support and Partnerships

The establishment of the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine has garnered significant support from city officials, business and community leaders, and developers. Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. of Little Rock, expressed excitement about welcoming the school to Arkansas’s capital city. Kevin Huchingson, chairman and CEO of Colliers | Arkansas, noted the honor of working with Lyon College to locate the state’s first and only Dental School.

In 2022, Lyon College signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to foster joint efforts in both entities’ respective missions and identify opportunities for joint teaching, research, graduate education and professional development to benefit students and faculty.

Addressing Oral Health Needs

Dr. Burke Soffe, founding dean of the dental school, emphasized the commitment to addressing the oral health needs of the underserved across Arkansas. He is excited about the new possibilities that this location offers to positively impact the community, improve oral health literacy, and increase access to quality oral health care. Sen. John Boozman championed a $15 million federal appropriation for the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine in March.

Inaugural Class and Curriculum

Lyon College School of Dental Medicine welcomed its inaugural class of students last June to its new building on Allied Drive in Little Rock. The three-year Doctor of Dental Medicine program is the first of its kind in Arkansas and is filling a vital need - Arkansas ranks last in dentists per capita, said Dr. Dr.

The Class of 2028 represents a diverse and accomplished group, hailing from 17 states, with 43% of students from Arkansas and 33% from bordering states. Over 60% of the students bring prior experience working in dental clinics. According to Soffe, this inaugural class could not be more exciting. He added that Lyon College School of Dental Medicine first attracted him because as a native of North Little Rock, the school is close to home. He said the student culture is very collaborative, and he does not feel as if he is competing against his classmates.

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The Lyon College School of Dental Medicine’s curriculum is a cutting-edge, three-year program designed to accelerate learning while maintaining the highest standards of academic rigor and practical experience. According to Dr. Soffe, their innovative curriculum combines classroom instruction, simulation training, and direct patient care from the beginning. This model allows students to develop both the technical skills and the interpersonal communication needed to become skilled clinicians and compassionate caregivers. With a class size of 80, the program will serve 240 students at full enrollment, making it a major economic driver for central Arkansas.

Accreditation and Facilities

The Lyon College School of Dental Medicine has received initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Dr. Melissa Taverner, president of Lyon College, noted that achieving initial accreditation reflects the hard work and dedication of their faculty, staff, and supporters. Dr. Burke Soffe, founding dean of the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine, stated that this moment signifies the foundation of a new era in oral health for their state.

The dental school, located in Riverfront Plaza in Little Rock’s Riverdale neighborhood, features contemporary facilities designed to provide both exceptional education and community care. The seven-floor renovation project includes classrooms, a simulation clinic, and a 100-chair patient care clinic. According to Dr. Soffe, their patient care clinic will be a vital resource for Arkansas, ensuring access to high-quality dental services for thousands of residents each year.

Lyon Dental Early Admission Program (3+3)

Lyon College offers an exceptional opportunity for Lyon College students aiming to accelerate their dental careers through the Lyon Dental Early Admission Program (3+3). This innovative pathway allows Lyon College students admitted to the program to complete all pre-dental and general education requirements in three years, followed by three years of dental school at the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine (LCSDM) in Little Rock.

Admission to the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine via the Lyon Dental Early Admission Program is highly competitive, with only 10 seats available annually for each option (3+3 and 4+3). If any seats remain unfilled in one program, they will transfer to the other. The application is open to first-time, full-time students at Lyon College in Batesville. Transfer students are considered on a case-by-case basis. Both Arkansas residents and students from other states are eligible to apply. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview at the Lyon College School of Medicine in Little Rock in July.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The program follows a continuous, three-year, six-term model. Tuition and fees for each term are $51,000. Students will be billed two times per academic year, each for one-half of the annual tuition cost. The Lyon College School of Dental Medicine (LCSDM) does not offer institutional scholarships at this time. However, private or nonprofit organizations may offer competitive scholarships. Additionally, military or service-related opportunities may provide funding for tuition and fees.

Student loans are available to cover all or part of tuition. Federal loans require students to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. Students who cannot file a FAFSA may apply for loans through private lenders. Students seeking federal loans must complete a FAFSA at studentaid.gov. Before federal loan proceeds can be disbursed, students must complete online loan entrance counseling, and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN), if they have not done so for the type of loan they are using. The Lyon College Financial Aid office will notify students if this requirement applies to them.

Admissions Information

Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year will be accepted through the AADSAS portal, which opens annually in May. The minimum requirements include a DAT AA score of 17 and a science GPA of 2.8. LCSDM only accepts U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Efforts are being made to allow international student enrollment, but this may take several years before changes occur.

Letters of evaluation will be required from applicants. Candidates will be informed that these letters should be from science faculty who can evaluate the applicant’s performance and potential for success in dental school. Candidates for admission to LCSDM will be expected to provide evidence of observation and volunteering.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 cycle, LCSDM will use the American Dental Education Association’s Associated American Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS). Every application will receive a holistic, full-file review considering a spectrum of quantitative and qualitative factors that are subsequently described.

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