Arkansas Children’s and Lyon College have announced a new academic affiliation aimed at expanding pediatric dental care, clinical education, and research opportunities across Arkansas.
The partnership between Arkansas Children’s and the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine, the state’s first and only dental school, will officially begin July 1, 2026.
Under the agreement, Lyon College School of Dental Medicine will provide administrative oversight and faculty services supporting pediatric dental programs at Arkansas Children’s. Arkansas Children’s will assist with clinical education and hands-on training opportunities for Lyon dental students.
Officials say the collaboration will strengthen pediatric dental care while helping build a pipeline of future pediatric dentists in Arkansas.
Arkansas Children’s President and CEO Marcy Doderer said the partnership reinforces the organization’s commitment to expanding access to specialized pediatric healthcare services.
The hospital system currently operates complex dental and craniofacial care programs, mobile dental units, school-based oral health programs, and fixed-site dental clinics throughout the state.
Dr. Burke Soffe said the affiliation will expose dental students to real-world clinical environments while increasing access to dental services for children statewide.
Lyon College welcomed its first dental students in 2025 and plans to continue expanding healthcare education programs in Arkansas, including a proposed veterinary medicine school in Cabot scheduled for 2027 pending accreditation.
Both organizations emphasized the partnership will also support collaborative research projects, continuing education opportunities, and future academic initiatives focused on pediatric healthcare and oral health services.
Arkansas Children’s remains the state’s only healthcare system solely dedicated to pediatric care, serving approximately 850,000 children statewide through facilities in Little Rock and Springdale.
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