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 another term ending February 1, 2031. The board is responsible for regulating 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 sits on the boards of Woodhill Medical Park and the Orange Tree Association—where he also acts as treasurer—and has previously led the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists. Henderson holds memberships with several professional organizations including the American Dental Association (ADA), Texas Dental Association (TDA), American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, and Dallas County Dental Society. He is also involved with the State Fair of Texas Youth Livestock Auction Committee. His 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 manages Oral Health Consultants, LLC. She previously served as president and legislative director for the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association and held leadership roles in other dental hygiene associations in Houston and nationally. Bock volunteers with the Texas HPV Coalition and earned her Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from Amarillo College.
Lisa Masters, D.D.S., practices periodontics at The Masters Dental Group in San Antonio and teaches part-time at UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry. She currently leads the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation and formerly chaired the Anesthesia Advisory Committee for the State Board of Dental Examiners. Her affiliations include ADA, TDA, San Antonio District Dental Society, Texas Society of Periodontists, Southwest Society of Periodontists, American Academy of Periodontology, and she previously served on the Texas Radiation Advisory Board. Masters completed her undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University before earning both Doctorate in Dental Surgery and Master’s degrees from The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Linda Burke, D.D.S., operates Burke Children’s Dentistry in Harlingen and presides over Platinum Surgery Center. She holds board positions with Valley Baptist Medical Center, Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, Lone Star National Bank Advisory Board; she is active in various professional groups such as ADA, TDA, Rio Grande Valley District Dental Society among others related to pediatric dentistry. Burke also participates in local civic organizations like Junior League of Harlingen and Ronald McDonald House Charities Rio Grande Valley where she was chairperson previously. Her educational credentials include a Bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University followed by a Doctorate from The UT Health Science Center at Houston; she completed her pediatric residency at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.
