Governor Greg Abbott has named Bryan Henderson, II, D.D.S. as the new chair of the State Board of Dental Examiners. Alongside this appointment, Abbott has selected Janessa Bock and Lisa Masters, D.D.S., to join the board and has reappointed Linda Burke, D.D.S. All terms are set to end on February 1, 2031. The board oversees dental and dental hygiene practices in Texas.
Bryan Henderson, II, D.D.S., from Dallas, is a dentist anesthesiologist and serves as a clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M University School of Dentistry. He holds positions on the boards of Woodhill Medical Park and Orange Tree Association and has previously led the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists. He is also involved with several professional organizations including the ADA, TDA, and Dallas County Dental Society. Henderson’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin, a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Baylor College of Dentistry, and an anesthesia certificate from what is now Drexel University Hospital.
Janessa Bock works as a clinical dental hygienist at Katy Family Dental Group and leads Oral Health Consultants, LLC as founder and managing partner. She has served as president for both the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association and Greater Houston Dental Hygienists’ Association and was a delegate to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Bock volunteers with the Texas HPV Coalition and earned her Associate degree in Dental Hygiene from Amarillo College.
Lisa Masters, D.D.S., based in San Antonio, is a board-certified periodontist at The Masters Dental Group and teaches part-time at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. She currently presides over the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation and has chaired committees for both state anesthesia advisory efforts and radiation oversight. Her affiliations include ADA, TDA, San Antonio District Dental Society among others. Masters holds degrees from Texas A&M University (Bachelor’s) and The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio (Doctorate in Dental Surgery and Master’s).
Linda Burke, D.D.S., practices pediatric dentistry in Harlingen where she owns Burke Children’s Dentistry and serves as president of Platinum Surgery Center. Her community involvement includes serving on several local boards such as Valley Baptist Medical Center and Lone Star National Bank Advisory Board. She is also affiliated with numerous dental associations including ADA and TDA. Burke received her undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s University before earning her dental degree at The UT Health Science Center at Houston; she completed her pediatric residency at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.
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