Sale of Property for Arkansas’ First Dental School Falls Apart

The proposed sale of a Little Rock, Arkansas-based campus for Lyon College’s upcoming dental and veterinary schools has collapsed as OneHealth Companies, the school’s partner, missed the deadline to purchase the Heifer International facility. The school is now actively seeking an alternative site in Little Rock to house the newly formed Lyon College Institute for Health Sciences. Despite the setback, both dental and veterinary schools are scheduled to commence classes in late summer or early fall of 2025, with an expected 100 students in each inaugural class. Heifer International has since filed a lawsuit regarding the failed transation. Arkansas faces a critical need for dental and veterinary schools, given its 51st ranking in dental health and a shortage of dentists. The state also ranks 49th in its veterinarian-population ratio, with agriculture constituting a significant portion of the economy. The schools, if opened on schedule, would be the first of their kind in Arkansas, addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals in these fields. An economic impact study estimates a $94 million total economic impact on the state related to labor alone and plans to recruit potential students in the coming year remain unchanged. Click here to read more.