Bio

Laurel Henderson, DDS, MS, is an Oral Medicine specialist at Stanford Medicine whose clinical practice focuses on the diagnosis and management of complex oral health conditions within an academic medical center environment. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from University of Southern California and holds a Master of Science in Health and Strategic Communication.

Dr. Henderson completed advanced specialty training in Orofacial Pain at the University of Southern California, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and Oral Medicine at Harvard University/Brigham and Women's Hospital. Her clinical expertise includes oral mucosal diseases, salivary gland disorders, Oral Oncology, supportive cancer care, oral epithelial dysplasia, and chronic orofacial pain conditions. She works closely with surgeons, oncologists, and other medical specialists to provide interdisciplinary patient care.

Her academic interests include improving access to medically necessary oral healthcare, advancing non-surgical therapies for oral potentially malignant disorders, and evaluating patient-friendly preventive lip care products, including SPF-based formulations designed to support long-term lip health. Her clinical approach emphasizes trauma-informed, patient-centered care for medically complex populations. A native Californian, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and painting in her free time.

Clinical Focus

  • Dentistry
  • Oral Medicine
  • Orofacial Pain
  • Oral Oncology
  • Supportive Cancer Care
  • Taste Disturbance
  • Dry Mouth
  • Mucosal Disease
  • Oral Ulcers

Academic Appointments

Honors & Awards

  • Case Report Award, Organization of Teachers of Oral Diagnosis, American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM) (2025)
  • Resident of the Year, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJMC) (2022)
  • Outstanding Patient Provider Interaction, Class of 2017, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California (USC) (2017)
  • Fellow, Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (2015)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Candidate, American Board of Oral Medicine (2026 - Present)
  • Diplomate, American Board of Orofacial Pain (2023 - Present)
  • Fellow, American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (2022 - Present)

Professional Education

  • Residency: Brigham and Women's Hospital (2025) MA
  • Board Certification: American Board of Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Pain (2023)
  • Residency: Long Island Jewish Medical Center (2022) NY
  • Residency: Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California (2019) CA
  • Dental Education: Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California (2017) CA
  • Residency/Certificate, Harvard University/Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Oral Medicine and Oral Oncology (2025)
  • Residency/Certificate, Northwell Health Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJMC) at Hofstra University, Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (2022)
  • Residency/Certificate, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California (USC), Orofacial Pain (2019)
  • DDS, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California (USC) (2017)

Contact

  • Clinical (Primary)  Stanford Oral Surgery and Medicine Clinic 724 Oak Grove Ave Ste 120 Menlo Park, CA 94025 (650) 724-4433 (fax)

Additional Clinical Info

Additional Info

All Publications

  • Reimbursement equity for dentistry A call to integrate oral and medical care JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION Henderson, L., Nakshabandi, A., Almousa, M., Kuchibhotla, N., Pettas, E., Bisch, C., Alturki, A. U., Ikeda, K., Vacharotayangul, P., Treister, N. S., Sonis, S. T. 2026; 157 (8): 809-811

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.adaj.2025.10.003

    View details for Web of Science ID 001842127800001

    View details for PubMedID 41240029

  • The oral medicine workforce and impact on access to care in the United States ORAL SURGERY ORAL MEDICINE ORAL PATHOLOGY ORAL RADIOLOGY Yoon, P., Klein, B., Alabdulaaly, L., Nakshabandi, A., Almousa, M., Henderson, L., Al-Hadlaq, M., Bajonaid, A., Vacharotayangul, P., Treister, N., Sonis, S. 2024; 138 (6): 745-752

    Abstract

    The objective of this study was to characterize the current oral medicine (OM) workforce by examining the distribution of OM diplomates (OMDs) across the Unites States and to determine the need for expanding access to care.The OMD access was calculated based on the OMDs per 10,000 state population from the 2020 US Census data as well as their distance from state capitals and most populated cities. OMD penetrance in hospitals and cancer centers was assessed at National Cancer Care Network (NCCN) cancer centers, and Best Hospitals as reported in the 2022 US News and World Report (USNWR).OMDs are present in 64% of the states with an uneven geographic distribution. Primary workplaces included dental schools (47%), hospitals (30%), and private practices (19%). Of the OMDs in private practice, 57% limited their practice to OM. OMDs were noted at 28% of NCCN cancer centers, 30% of USNWR Best Hospitals for Cancer, and 20% of USNWR Best Hospitals.There is low density and uneven distribution of OMDs with approximately one-third of the population without access to an OMD in their state, thus limiting access to care. This suggests both vast opportunities for growth and expansion of OM, as well as challenges in developing and training the necessary workforce.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.oooo.2024.08.010

    View details for Web of Science ID 001355262800001

    View details for PubMedID 39277445

https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5101-8801