After years of preparation, the state’s first dental school welcomed its inaugural group of students to its Little Rock campus this month.
Classes started at the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine last week, and officials are already gearing up to interview candidates for the second cohort in August. Founding Dean Dr. Burke Soffe said he’s shed several tears over this “exciting moment” and he’s “extremely proud” of the 80 students who’ve just started their three-year journey.
“We were really intentional in the admissions process to screen for leaders and to screen for those that are committed to dentistry, committed to rural areas, committed to serving and just high-character individuals,” Soffe said. “We’ve got really special students who are ready to make an impact.”…