Governor Greg Abbott has announced significant appointments to the State Board of Dental Examiners, which is tasked with the regulation of dental and dental hygiene practice within Texas. The board will now be chaired by Bryan Henderson, II, D.D.S., who brings a wealth of experience to the role not only as a dentist anesthesiologist but also as an educator at the Texas A&M University School of Dentistry. Joining him are new appointees Janessa Bock and Lisa Masters, D.D.S., as well as the reappointed Linda Burke, D.D.S. Their respective terms are set to run through February 1, 2031.
Bryan Henderson, a notable figure in the Dallas dental community, holds positions on several boards including the Woodhill Medical Park and the Orange Tree Association. His professional affiliations span the American Dental Association (ADA) and beyond, highlighting his comprehensive involvement in the dental anesthesiology field. According to a statement obtained by the Office of the Texas Governor, Henderson holds degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and Baylor College of Dentistry, with an anesthesia certificate from what is now known as Drexel University Hospital.
Janessa Bock offers a different perspective, bringing clinical dental hygiene expertise to the Board. As founder and managing partner of Oral Health Consultants, LLC, her entrepreneurial and leadership experiences are substantial, most notably demonstrated through her past presidential role at the Texas Dental Hygienists' Association. Bock, an advocate for public health and who's active with the Texas HPV Coalition, received her Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from Amarillo College, as reported by the Governor's announcement.
Adding to the Board, Lisa Masters is a periodontist whose academic and clinical contributions have been recognized through her presidency at the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation. Alongside her part-time faculty position at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, Masters's previous role as the chair of the Anesthesia Advisory Committee exhibits her expertise in essential areas of dental regulation. Her educational credentials include a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, according to the official state announcement.
Linda Burke returns to the Board with a renewed mandate to contribute her substantial experience in pediatric dentistry. Based in Harlingen, she operates a private practice and holds presidency at Platinum Surgery Center. Her board involvement extends to several local organizations like the Valley Baptist Medical Center, underlining her commitment to both the profession and the community. Information provided by the Governor's office shows Burke's academic journey having taken her from St. Mary’s University to The UT Health Science Center at Houston, where she completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery before her residency in pediatric dentistry at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.
