Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Bryan Henderson, II, D.D.S. as chair of the State Board of Dental Examiners. In addition to this appointment, Janessa Bock and Lisa Masters, D.D.S. have been named to the board, while Linda Burke, D.D.S. has been reappointed for a term ending February 1, 2031. The State Board of Dental Examiners oversees the regulation of dental and dental hygiene practices in Texas.
Bryan Henderson, II, D.D.S., based in 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 is involved with several professional organizations including the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists and the American Dental Association (ADA). “Henderson received a Bachelor of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin (UT), Doctor of Dental Surgery from Baylor College of Dentistry, and a certificate in anesthesia from the Medical College of Pennsylvania (now Drexel University Hospital).”
Janessa Bock works as a clinical dental hygienist at Katy Family Dental Group and is founder and managing partner at Oral Health Consultants, LLC. She has previously served as president and legislative director for the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association and held leadership roles with both state and national dental hygiene associations. “Bock received an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from Amarillo College.”
Lisa Masters, D.D.S., practices as a board-certified periodontist at The Masters Dental Group in San Antonio and teaches part-time at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. She currently serves as president of the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation and was formerly chair for the Anesthesia Advisory Committee for the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. Her affiliations include several local and national dental organizations. “Masters received a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University (TAMU) and a Doctor of Dental Surgery and a Master of Science from The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.”
Linda Burke, D.D.S., who is based in Harlingen, owns Burke Children’s Dentistry and serves as president at Platinum Surgery Center. She sits on multiple boards including Valley Baptist Medical Center, Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, and Lone Star National Bank Advisory Board. Her memberships span various professional societies related to pediatric dentistry along with community organizations such as Junior League of Harlingen. “Burke received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Mary’s University and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from The UT Health Science Center at Houston and completed her pediatric dentistry residency at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.”
