Meet Dr. Henninger

Dr. Christopher Henninger was born in Tullahoma, TN. He went to boarding school at the Baylor School of Chattanooga where he not only excelled in academics but also earned a varsity swimming scholarship to attend the University of South Carolina. After completing his undergraduate degree in Biology and Chemistry at “the real” USC, he began his dental degree at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.

While in dental school, Dr. Henninger was awarded a scholarship from the United States Navy. As a part of this scholarship, he agreed to serve as a Dental Officer for 3 years in the Navy. During dental school, Dr. Henninger became heavily involved in short-term dental missions. He has traveled to over 12 countries on mission trips to provide dental services to underserved populations. He was one of the founding members of Dental Community Fellowship, a dental organization designed to mentor dental students to use their skills for greater good.

After completing dental school, Dr. Henninger was commissioned into the Navy Dental Corps as a Lieutenant at Officer Indoctrination School in Newport, RI. He completed a one-year residency in General Dentistry at the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital in Oceanside, CA. This residency was heavily concentrated in oral surgery, root canals, and hospital dentistry. After residency, Dr. Henninger was assigned to the USS BOXER (LHD 4) home ported in San Diego, CA. While on BOXER, he was responsible for maintaining dental readiness for over 1200 sailors as well as 3000 marines while deployed. Dr. Henninger deployed in 2008 as a part of Mission Continuing Promise to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Peru and in 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While in the Middle East, the USS BOXER and Dr. Henninger were involved in the rescue of the MV Maersk Alabama from Somali pirates.

After serving for four years in the U.S. Navy, Dr. Henninger joins us with a wealth of dental experience. He is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, San Diego Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. His clinical interests include the surgical placement and restoration of dental implants and dental anesthesia.

Dr. Henninger makes his home in Carlsbad. His wife, Camille, is a dermatologist at the Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital. In his spare time he enjoys running, biking, surfing, and pretty much anything outdoors.