Dr. Sarah Hardin, chair of clinical sciences and associate professor at the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine, has been named the 2025 Cynthia Caceres Baker New Dentist of the Year by the Arkansas State Dental Association. The award was presented by Dr. Ashley McMillan, the 2022 recipient and associate dean for clinical affairs at LCSDM.
This prestigious honor recognizes early-career dentists who exemplify excellence in clinical care, leadership in organized dentistry, and a commitment to advancing the profession.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” said Dr. Hardin. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to help build a program rooted in clinical excellence and community-minded care. It’s especially meaningful to share the importance of organized dentistry with our students, helping them find connection, purpose, and a strong professional foundation as they begin their journey.”
A native of Magnolia, Arkansas, Dr. Hardin previously served as assistant program director of the General Practice Residency at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), where she also held a faculty position. Her early clinical work included time at the Arkansas Children’s Dental Clinic.
She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry, a B.A. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Hendrix College, and completed a General Practice Residency at UAMS.
Dr. Hardin is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) and currently serves as president of the Arkansas Academy of General Dentistry. She also represents Arkansas as a delegate to the AGD House of Delegates, is a past president of the Central District Dental Society, and remains active in both the AGD and the American Dental Association.
Dr. Burke Soffe, founding dean of the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine, praised Dr. Hardin’s leadership and impact:
“Dr. Hardin is a gifted educator, a tireless advocate for her profession, and a role model for our students. This honor is well deserved, and her work at Lyon College is already shaping a clinical program rooted in excellence, compassion, and real-world readiness.”
