Meet the Team at Banana River Dental

Dr. Ryan Collins, DMD

Dr. Ryan Collins was born in upstate New York, but his parents quickly moved down to Florida when he was 2 years old. While living in Melbourne Beach, he went to Gemini Elementary, Hoover Junior High, and Melbourne High School.

When it came time for college, Dr. Collins attended his first and only choice, the University of Florida at Gainesville. During his freshman year of undergrad, he was one of three applicants selected for the UF College of Dentistry’s Early Admission Program. Also his high school sweetheart, Ashley, moved up to Gainesville to be with him and to start her career in coaching gymnastics. As soon as he graduated dental school, they moved back to Melbourne Beach, an obvious decision as they both have family in the area, and they both believe this area is a little slice of paradise. When he graduated at age 24, Dr. Collins was the youngest licensed dentist in the state of Florida. 

In the seven years before starting Banana River Dental, Dr. Collins practiced dentistry in several different styles of offices throughout Brevard and Indian River Counties. Private offices in Melbourne and Merritt Island, a corporate office in Palm Bay, a non-profit clinic in Fellsmere, and most recently an emergency walk-in office in Rockledge. This variety of experience allowed Dr. Collins to work with young children in the public health setting, and also develop skills to treat adults with high anxiety and phobias in the emergency clinic.

Dr. Collins married Ashley in 2012 at Ryckman Park in Melbourne Beach, and they moved to Indian Harbor Beach in 2014. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Collins became fishing buddies with Dr. McHenry’s son. One day while driving back from a kayak-fishing adventure in the Thousand Islands of Cocoa Beach, they discussed that Dr. McHenry was soon to retire, and Dr. Collins would be a perfect fit to takeover. In April 2017, Dr. Michael McHenry retired after serving his loyal patients for 40+ years on the beachside, and Dr. Collins took the helm.

In his free time, Ryan enjoys surfing, fishing, and running with the kids in the double jogger stroller.                                                         

Since we at Banana River Dental are also all about our pets, Dr. Collins’ dog is named Buddy, and he is a 9 year old rescue puppy. He looks and acts similar to a yellow lab, but since he has a purple tongue, some have even suspected he’s part-Chow. Buddy is extremely playful, full of energy, and loves swimming and chasing anything that moves.

Dr Don Cork, DDS

Dentist

With over 37 years of clinical experience, Dr. Cork brings a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality dental care to the Space Coast community.

Dr. Cork hails from a military family, with his father serving 26 years in the U.S. Air Force. Though his upbringing took him to various locations, he proudly claims Texas as home. He completed his undergraduate studies in Biology at Baylor University before earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio in 1988.

Dr. Cork began his dental career as a Staff Dental Officer in the U.S. Navy, where he was one of 68 dental officers providing diagnostic and restorative dental care to over 2,000 recruits each month at Boot Camp. During this time, he received advanced training in Oral Surgery and Endodontics (root canals). He later served with the Indian Health Service in Winnebago, Nebraska, where he oversaw the dental clinic on the Winnebago Indian Reservation, providing care to a population of 3,500 Native Americans.

In 1996, Dr. Cork transitioned to private practice, founding the North Sioux Dental Clinic in North Sioux City, South Dakota. Under his leadership, the practice grew from a small team of three to a thriving office with 19 employees. Known for its patient-centered approach and use of advanced technology, the clinic became a pillar of the local community, offering a standard of excellence that Dr. Cork continues to uphold in his practice today.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Cork and his wife enjoy playing tennis in local recreational leagues, finding joy in both competition and camaraderie. He values the opportunity to refine his skills on the tennis court as much as in the dental clinic. While fluent in English, he also speaks limited Spanish, further enhancing his ability to connect with a diverse patient base

Monica

Clinical Assistant

Monica is originally from Evansville, located in Southern Indiana. She moved to Melbourne in 1990 and graduated from Eau Gallie HS. She grew up hanging out in a dental lab as her grandfather owned a small crown and bridge lab in Evansville. He handed over the reins to her Uncle when she was very young, keeping it in the family, and employing several family members at different times over the years. Dentistry runs deep in her roots.

Monica started assisting in 1996 and received her certifications from Indian River State College, known then as Indian River Community College. She also received certifications as a Phlebotomy Tech and EKG Tech, but ultimately stayed in the dental field. She has a daughter named Jamie who is her everything. Her and her husband Robert currently have 3 dogs as well as 3 cats. All 6 are rescues of some type.Madison who is a Boxer, German Shepherd and pit mix. Sophie who is a Plott hound and Black-and-Tan hound mix. Maxwell who is a Catahoula and Border Collie mix.

The cats are Hootie and Luna, sisters from the same litter, who are Tortoise Shell Calicoes and Elsie who is a deaf Lynx Point Siamese. They obviously enjoy animals with our mini zoo/circus, anything creating or crafting, home repair/remodeling, outdoor activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and getting muddy ATV riding.

Monica and Dr. Collins began working together in Rockledge and quickly realized how well they work together. "We have a lot of similar outlooks on patient care and enjoy changing the opinions of those nervous individuals who may not have had the best experiences in a dental chair. It's about taking the time to actually hear what the patient is saying, as well as explaining things in a manner that makes sense to them. There is nothing more satisfying then having that nervous, unhappy, patient who is in pain or embarrassed get up from a visit smiling and ask to give us a hug while commenting that that was the best dental visit they have ever had.

Nicole

Hygienist

Nicole was born in Upstate New York but moved to Florida with her family at age 4. She grew up in the Melbourne/Palm Bay areas and currently lives in West Melbourne with her husband, Steve, and their 4 year old twins, Liam and Lucas.

She loves taking weekend trips and hosting weekly family dinners.

Nicole went to The Florida State University where she obtained her Bachelors in Science degree in Psychology in 2005. She then went to Brevard Community College for Dental Hygiene school and graduated in 2007. Prior to having kids she was active in the Brevard County Dental Hygiene Association and served as the President in 2008-2009. She loves her patients and makes them feel calm with her friendly demeanor and big smile. 

Cathy

Hygienist

Cathy is originally from Michigan but moved to South Florida with her family at age 10. She has also lived Hendersonville, NC before returning to Florida and settling in Melbourne Beach with her husband of 24 years and two children.

She graduated from Palm Beach State College with her Dental Hygiene degree in 1994. She has 24 years of patient care experience and has worked in Periodontal, Pediatric, and General dental settings.

Cathy is kind and friendly and sure to put you at ease while providing thorough dental care.

She continues to enjoy her career and genuinely cares about each patient she treats at Banana River Dental.