Governor Greg Abbott has named Bryan Henderson, II, D.D.S. as chair of the State Board of Dental Examiners. In addition to this appointment, Governor Abbott has appointed Janessa Bock and Lisa Masters, D.D.S., and reappointed Linda Burke, D.D.S. to the board for terms ending February 1, 2031. The State Board of Dental Examiners is responsible for regulating dentistry 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 the Texas A&M University School of Dentistry. He holds board positions at Woodhill Medical Park and the Orange Tree Association and is involved with several professional organizations including the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists—where he previously served as president—the American Dental Association (ADA), Texas Dental Association (TDA), American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, Dallas County Dental Society, and participates on the State Fair of Texas Youth Livestock Auction Committee. Dr. Henderson earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Austin, Doctor of Dental Surgery from Baylor College of Dentistry, and completed an anesthesia certificate at the Medical College of Pennsylvania.
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 served as president and legislative director for the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association and held leadership roles with both the Greater Houston Dental Hygienists’ Association and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Bock also volunteers with the Texas HPV Coalition. She received her Associate of Applied Science 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 part-time faculty member at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. She currently serves as president of the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation and was formerly chairperson for the Anesthesia Advisory Committee on the state dental board. Her memberships include ADA, TDA, San Antonio District Dental Society, Texas Society of Periodontists, Southwest Society of Periodontists, American Academy of Periodontology; she also previously served on the Texas Radiation Advisory Board. Dr. Masters holds a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University along with Doctorate in Dental Surgery and Master’s degrees from The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Linda Burke, D.D.S., located in Harlingen, owns Burke Children’s Dentistry and leads Platinum Surgery Center as president. She sits on boards including Valley Baptist Medical Center, Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, Lone Star National Bank Advisory Board; she also belongs to several professional organizations such as ADA,TDA,Rio Grande Valley District Dental Society,and others related to pediatric dentistry.She has previously chaired both Harlingen Area Chamber Commerceand Ronald McDonald House Charities Rio Grande Valley.Burke graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from St.Mary’s University,a Doctorate in Dental Surgery from The UT Health Science Center at Houston,and completed her pediatric residency training at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.
