Dr Ryan Collins

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.