Sandy Tesch grew up in upstate New York and attended dental hygiene school at Broome Community College in Binghamton, New York. After working for a few years as a clinical hygienist, she returned to school full-time to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in school health education. Upon completion of her BSE degree, she was tired of the cold winters in NY and decided to move to Texas to further her professional career. 

Sandy worked as a dental hygiene clinician for several general practices while completing her Master of Science in Health Professions (Health Education/Health Administration) at Southwest Texas State University. She has been a registered dental hygienist for over 45 years.

Sandy currently serves as TDHA’s Legislative Director and chair of the Governmental Affairs Council. She is a past president of both the Austin and TDHA. On the national level, she served as ADHA Vice President and District IX Director. 

Sandy has recently retired from the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) after 31 years as a state employee within the Oral Health Improvement Program (OHIP) for the office of the Public Health State Dental Director. Her specialty includes dental public health, education, and administration.

She serves nationally as a sealant consultant for the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD). Sandy has served in many, many leadership roles on the TDHA Board of Directors over the past 20 years.

She and her son Tyler live in Austin and spend their free time traveling, gardening, TNR rescues, and eating out. Right now, her primary focus is enjoying retirement!