Our Doctor

Bryan Rathke, D.D.S.

picture of Dr. Bryan Rathke

Dr. Rathke earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the No. 1 - rated UTHealth San Antonio School of Dentistry.  He has taken courses with the Misch Implant Institute and is currently pursuing his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry.

Dr. Bryan Rathke was born and raised in Huntsville, Texas where his family members have been citizens of Huntsville extending four generations.  He is the son of Dr. David and Mrs. Pam (Ryan) Rathke.  A top 5% 2007 graduate of Huntsville High School, he was a member of the Huntsville Hornet Military Marching Band, and served as a drum major of the band his junior and senior years.

Dr. Rathke completed his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University in College Station where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in May 2011.  Throughout his time as a student at Texas A&M, he was a member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band in the Corps of Cadets.  While a senior in the Aggie Band, he served as B-Company Commanding Officer as well as Infantry Band Drum Major.  Under his command, B-Company was awarded the Bruno A. Hochmuth Award for Military Proficiency, and the General George F. Moore Award for Most Outstanding Unit in the Corps of Cadets.  His honors earned while at Texas A&M include Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, and the Certificate in Leadership Study and Development.

In December of 2011, Dr. Rathke married Elizabeth Grona, daughter of Bob and Patsy Grona, also of Huntsville.  Mrs. Rathke is a 2005 graduate of Huntsville High School, where she was also a member of the Huntsville Hornet Military Marching Band and also a drum major for the band her senior year.  She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health from SHSU in 2009, and then earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and her R.N. at the UTHealth School of Nursing in Houston in 2011. She spent several years as an R.N. at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, and  is currently an R.N. at Conroe Regional Hospital.

Dr. Rathke and his wife spend their free time enjoying camping, fishing, and hiking with their sons and local family, and their dog, Eva, whom they found with a rescue organization while living in San Antonio.  They are active members at Elkins Lake Baptist Church.

In Memoriam

David O. Rathke, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. (Jan 18, 1954 - Sep 22, 2022)

picture of Dr. David Rathke

Dr. David Rathke opened our dental practice in 1981. He earned his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in 1998 after earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1980 at the top five nationally rated UT Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry, where he was chosen "the student most proficient in anesthesiology." He is also a third-generation alumnus of Sam Houston State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1976 with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. Although born and raised elsewhere in Texas, Dr. Rathke graduated from Huntsville High School in 1972, and was in the top 10% of his class.

He was a member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the Brazos Valley District Dental Society, The Houston-Conroe-Huntsville Implant Study Group, the International Association for Functional Orthodontics, and the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology.

Dr. Rathke was happily married to Pam Ryan Rathke for more than 37 years.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Rathke had a very wide variety of interests, including Amateur Radio, electronics and computers, astronomy, woodworking and metal machining, genealogy, history (especially Texas history), and music.

Dr. David Rathke was a uniquely intelligent and compassionate man, and he is sorely missed.

Our Staff

Crystal Longnecker

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Crystal has only recently started a career in dentistry, but in her former life had worked in medicine starting in 2004. Her experience includes 13 years as a medical assistant, insurance specialist, and in medical billing and coding.

Crystal was born in San Antonio but frequently moved growing up. Though she moved all around the state and to New Mexico twice, she mainly lived in the greater Houston area. During her sophomore year of high school, her family moved to New Waverly. She graduated a year early and met her husband, Mark, through a mutual friend. Crystal has been married to Mark since 2006 and they share one amazing daughter together.

In her spare time, Crystal enjoys gaming, crafting, gardening, and taking care of a large menagerie of animals at her house.

Betty Brown, RDA

Betty started her career in dentistry in 1969 in Houston. For 22 years, her husband's transfers took her to Massachusetts, Georgia, and Louisiana.

"I was born and raised in Huntsville. My life has taken me many places, and I have worked in numerous dental practices.

"Over the years, I have had such great experiences and have learned so much. This led me to Dr. Rathke's office, where I have brought 52 years of experience and a willing nature to keep learning and growing.

"In my spare time, I enjoy fishing and gardening. What a joy it is to be fishing, or to see something grow!"

Vonda Chunn, RDA

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Gabby Flores, RDA

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Gabby graduated from Huntsville High School in 2015. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from SHSU in December 2019.

Since high school, Gabby knew she had a passion to work in the dental field. She plans to go to dental school and pursue her dream of becoming a dentist.

Gabby is married to her high school sweetheart, Nathanael Archuleta, and they have two pets. In her spare time, she loves to go hiking and spend time with family.

Kathy Sanders, RDH

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Kathy graduated from Madisonville High School in 1973. She earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene from Tyler Junior College in 1982, and was licensed to practice Dental Hygiene in Texas that same year. Kathy later earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from Sam Houston State University in 1992. She has now been a dental hygienist for 34 years, and celebrated being part of the Rathke Family Dentistry team for the last 13 of those years!

Kathy and her husband, Larry, have been married since 1992, and are proud parents of two sons. Kathy describes herself as a "people person." She enjoys meeting and getting to know people, and spending time with family and friends. "I love my family time. Porch-sitting, reading, antiquing, gardening, and the company of our family's two cats are all the things that make me happy."

“As a dental hygienist, it is really rewarding to be able to contribute to patients' overall health while helping them attain good dental health. I feel so blessed and thankful to have chosen a career that I truly enjoy, and to be part of a team of such awesome, caring, and fun people!"

Dianne Simmons, RDH

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Dianne graduated from Conroe High School in 1982. She earned her Associate of Applied Science degree and her Dental Hygiene license from Lamar University in 1985, and has been practicing Dental Hygiene since then. After meeting her husband, Russell (who was a patient), they moved to Morris Plains, New Jersey, where she obtained her Northeast Regional Boards in 1988, enabling her to practice in 15 northeastern states, in addition to Texas. When her husband’s job brought him back to Texas, she earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from Sam Houston State University in May of 1994.

Dianne has practiced Dental Hygiene for over 36 years, with the most recent 23 years spent in Dr. Rathke's practice. She has worked in every aspect of Dental Hygiene, from pediatrics to periodontics. Her greatest satisfaction is to have a patient, young or old, that has had a bad dental experience in the past leave our office with a positive, rewarding experience and a smile.

Dianne and Russell are members of Elkin's Lake Baptist Church, and have three beautiful daughters. Dianne enjoys performing community service. She is a sustaining member of the Junior Service League of Huntsville, a member of the Texas Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and an active member of the Certified Emergency Response Team of Walker County. It is very rewarding to her to help others. She enjoys snow skiing, spending time with her family, and especially, dancing. Dianne loves life and never meets a stranger.