Spear Education: Complete Guide to Dental Continuing Education and Practice Growth
Spear Education is a dental education and professional development organization focused on helping dentists and dental teams improve clinical skills, treatment planning, patient communication, and practice development. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Spear provides several learning formats, including online education, hands-on workshops, seminars, Study Clubs, and team training.
For dentists, continuing education is an important part of staying current with techniques, technology, treatment planning approaches, and developments in patient care. Spear Education combines continuing education with practical resources designed to help dental professionals apply what they learn in their everyday practices.
Whether you are a recent dental graduate, an experienced general dentist, a specialist, or part of a dental practice team, understanding what Spear offers can help you determine which educational format fits your professional goals.
What Is Spear Education?
Spear Education is a dental education organization that provides continuing education, clinical training, practice-development resources, and professional learning opportunities for dentists and dental teams.
The organization says its approach goes beyond individual courses by combining online learning, in-person education, Study Clubs, team training, and other practice-development resources.
Spear’s educational philosophy is closely associated with Facially Generated Treatment Planning (FGTP), a framework developed by Dr. Frank Spear. The organization describes FGTP as a way of considering five interconnected areas: airway, esthetics, function, structure, and biology.
The goal is to help clinicians look at treatment planning from a broader perspective rather than considering individual dental problems in isolation.
What Does Spear Education Offer?
Spear provides several different learning formats.
Spear Online
Spear Online provides on-demand educational content that dentists and dental teams can access digitally.
According to Spear, its online platform includes expert-led courses, clinical education, team training, and resources that can be used at the user’s own pace. Some courses are CE-eligible.
Online learning can be useful for dental professionals who want to study without traveling to an in-person course.
Topics can include areas such as:
- Treatment planning
- Restorative dentistry
- Occlusion
- Implants
- Esthetics
- Airway
- Practice management
- Patient communication
- Team development
The exact course catalog can change as new educational content is added.
Hands-On Workshops
Spear also offers in-person workshops designed around practical learning.
These programs can allow participants to work directly with instructors and other dental professionals rather than relying exclusively on video-based education.
Hands-on learning can be particularly relevant for clinicians who want to develop procedural skills and discuss clinical cases in an interactive environment.
Seminars
Spear offers live educational seminars in addition to its online courses and hands-on programs.
These may cover clinical subjects, treatment planning, practice development, and other areas relevant to dental professionals.
Spear’s FAQ explains that its programs include hands-on courses at its campus, virtual seminars, and larger events such as Spear Summit.
Spear Study Clubs
Study Clubs are another major component of Spear Education.
A Spear Study Club is a group of dental professionals who meet regularly to discuss real-world cases and work through educational material.
According to Spear, its Study Clubs use faculty-designed content and provide an environment where dental professionals can collaborate, discuss cases, and learn from one another.
Study Clubs can be particularly useful for dentists who prefer interactive learning and professional networking rather than studying independently.
Who Can Use Spear Education?
Spear Education serves dental professionals at different stages of their careers.
Recent Dental Graduates
Recent graduates can use continuing education to supplement what they learned during dental school.
Spear specifically has educational resources for recent graduates, including programs intended to help bridge the gap between dental school and real-world practice.
Topics can include:
- Treatment planning
- Patient communication
- Clinical decision-making
- Mentorship
- Case presentation
- Professional development
For a new dentist, structured continuing education can provide another source of learning during the transition into clinical practice.
General Dentists
General dentists can use Spear’s educational resources to continue developing clinical and practice-management skills.
Courses may help dentists explore complex cases, treatment-planning frameworks, restorative techniques, communication strategies, and other areas.
Specialists
Dental specialists may also participate in advanced courses, workshops, Study Clubs, and interdisciplinary learning.
Because complex dental cases frequently involve more than one specialty, interdisciplinary education can be useful for professionals who regularly coordinate treatment.
Dental Teams
Spear’s education is not limited to dentists.
The organization also provides resources for dental teams, including team training and practice-development materials. Its current platform emphasizes learning that can involve dentists, hygienists, treatment coordinators, assistants, and other practice professionals.
Understanding Facially Generated Treatment Planning
One of the concepts closely associated with Spear Education is Facially Generated Treatment Planning.
The framework considers five areas:
- Airway
- Esthetics
- Function
- Structure
- Biology
Spear describes these as interconnected dimensions that can be considered when developing treatment plans.
Rather than focusing exclusively on a single tooth or procedure, the approach encourages clinicians to consider the patient’s broader dental situation.
This type of framework can be especially relevant when treatment involves multiple teeth, restorative work, esthetic considerations, occlusion, or interdisciplinary care.
Benefits of Continuing Dental Education
Continuing education can provide several potential benefits for dental professionals.
Updating Clinical Knowledge
Dentistry continues to evolve. New materials, technologies, diagnostic methods, and treatment techniques can affect clinical practice.
Ongoing education gives professionals opportunities to review developments in their field.
Improving Treatment Planning
Treatment planning can become more complex when patients require multiple procedures or interdisciplinary care.
Educational frameworks can provide clinicians with structured ways to analyze cases.
Developing Practical Skills
Hands-on courses allow clinicians to learn techniques in an environment where instructors can demonstrate procedures and provide feedback.
Building Professional Connections
Study Clubs and in-person workshops provide opportunities to interact with other dental professionals.
Professional relationships can support knowledge sharing, mentorship, and collaboration.
Supporting Dental Teams
Education can extend beyond the dentist. Training team members can help practices establish more consistent communication and workflows.
Spear Education for New Dentists
The transition from dental school to independent practice can involve a significant learning curve.
Dental school provides foundational education, but new dentists also have to manage real-world situations involving patients, treatment planning, communication, scheduling, clinical workflows, and practice expectations.
Spear specifically offers resources for recent graduates designed to address these areas.
A new dentist may use continuing education to develop skills in areas such as:
- Comprehensive diagnosis
- Treatment planning
- Patient communication
- Case presentation
- Clinical confidence
- Complex restorative cases
- Professional networking
Spear’s current materials state that recent graduates can access online courses and Study Clubs, among other resources.
Spear Education and Practice Management
Dental education is not limited to clinical procedures.
Running a dental practice can also require knowledge of communication, team coordination, scheduling, patient experience, financial management, and operational systems.
Spear describes its current offering as a broader practice-growth system that combines clinical education with team development and practice resources.
This approach recognizes that clinical knowledge is only one component of operating a dental practice.
For example, a practice may need to address:
- Team communication
- Patient education
- Case acceptance
- Scheduling
- Clinical workflows
- Leadership
- Practice analytics
- Staff training
The specific resources available depend on the membership or program selected.
Spear Study Clubs Explained
Study Clubs provide a different learning experience from traditional online courses.
Instead of completing a course independently, participants meet with other professionals and discuss cases and educational topics.
Spear states that its Study Clubs use structured, faculty-designed content and are intended to provide collaborative learning.
A typical Study Club experience may involve:
- Case discussions
- Clinical presentations
- Group discussion
- Educational modules
- Peer interaction
- Faculty guidance
- Continuing education opportunities
Spear says that specialists, general and restorative dentists, and laboratory technicians can participate in its Study Clubs.
Online vs. In-Person Spear Education
Both online and in-person learning have advantages.
| Learning Format | Best Suited For | Main Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Spear Online | Flexible learners | On-demand digital education |
| Hands-on workshops | Practical skill development | Interactive instruction |
| Seminars | Focused learning | Live educational sessions |
| Study Clubs | Collaborative learners | Case discussion and peer learning |
| Team training | Dental practices | Practice-wide development |
The right option depends on the dentist’s goals, schedule, location, learning preferences, and available membership.
What Makes Dental Continuing Education Useful?
Not all learning happens in the classroom.
The practical value of continuing education often depends on whether clinicians can apply new knowledge to actual cases.
For this reason, case-based learning can be useful. Instead of simply memorizing information, clinicians can consider how a concept might apply to diagnosis, treatment planning, communication, or clinical decision-making.
Spear emphasizes real-world application as part of its educational model.
Spear Education Location
Spear Education is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Its official website lists its address as 7201 E. Princess Blvd., Scottsdale, Arizona 85255.
The organization provides education through digital platforms as well as in-person experiences, so not every learning opportunity requires traveling to Scottsdale.
Spear Education and Continuing Education Credits
Spear offers CE-eligible educational opportunities.
Its FAQ states that Spear Online includes CE-eligible video courses.
Spear also identifies itself as a nationally approved PACE program provider for FAGD/MAGD credit, with approval listed for the period from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2028. Spear notes that approval does not imply acceptance by any regulatory authority or AGD endorsement.
Dentists should always confirm that a particular course meets the requirements of their licensing jurisdiction before relying on it for required continuing education.
How to Choose the Right Spear Education Program
Before choosing a course or membership, consider your goals.
Identify Your Learning Objective
Ask what you want to accomplish.
For example, you might want to:
- Improve treatment planning
- Learn a clinical technique
- Earn CE credits
- Improve communication
- Train your team
- Join a professional community
- Develop practice-management skills
Consider Your Experience
A recent graduate may have different educational needs from a dentist with decades of clinical experience.
Spear offers resources for different career stages, including recent graduates and more experienced professionals.
Choose the Right Format
If you need flexibility, online education may be useful.
If you want hands-on practice, an in-person workshop may be more appropriate.
If you learn through discussion, a Study Club may provide a better fit.
Check Current Costs
Memberships, workshops, courses, and events can have different pricing structures.
Because prices and program availability can change, check the current Spear Education website before registering.
Recent Developments at Spear Education
Spear has continued expanding its educational and practice-development offerings during 2026.
Recent company announcements include an expanded online learning platform, partnerships related to dental education and practice performance, and new educational initiatives.
Spear’s website also currently features new educational articles covering subjects such as occlusion, dental implant photogrammetry, airway health, and AI in dental diagnostics.
These updates illustrate how dental continuing education increasingly incorporates both established clinical principles and newer technologies.
Final Thoughts
Spear Education provides a broad range of continuing education and professional development opportunities for dental professionals. Its current ecosystem includes online learning, hands-on workshops, seminars, Study Clubs, and team-development resources.
The organization is particularly associated with Facially Generated Treatment Planning and its broader approach to comprehensive dental care.
For recent graduates, experienced dentists, specialists, and dental teams, continuing education can provide opportunities to develop clinical knowledge, explore treatment-planning concepts, collaborate with peers, and stay current with changes in dentistry.
Before choosing a course or membership, compare the educational format, subject matter, CE eligibility, schedule, location, and current pricing with your professional goals.
FAQs About Spear Education
1. What is Spear Education?
Spear Education is a dental continuing-education and professional development organization offering online courses, workshops, seminars, Study Clubs, and practice-development resources.
2. Who is Spear Education for?
Spear serves dentists and dental teams at different career stages, including recent graduates, general dentists, specialists, and other dental professionals.
3. Where is Spear Education located?
Spear Education is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, at 7201 E. Princess Blvd.
4. Does Spear Education offer online courses?
Yes. Spear Online provides on-demand educational content, including CE-eligible courses and team-training resources.
5. Does Spear Education offer hands-on courses?
Yes. Spear offers hands-on workshops and other in-person educational experiences.
6. What is a Spear Study Club?
A Spear Study Club is a local group of dental professionals who meet regularly for structured learning, case discussion, and professional collaboration.
7. Can recent dental graduates use Spear Education?
Yes. Spear has programs and resources specifically designed to help recent graduates transition from dental school into clinical practice.
8. What is Facially Generated Treatment Planning?
Facially Generated Treatment Planning, or FGTP, is a treatment-planning framework associated with Spear that considers airway, esthetics, function, structure, and biology.
9. Can Spear Education help dental teams?
Yes. Spear offers team-training and practice-development resources designed to involve dental teams rather than focusing exclusively on individual dentists.
10. Does Spear Education offer CE credits?
Spear offers CE-eligible educational opportunities, including courses through Spear Online. Dentists should verify individual course eligibility and applicable licensing requirements.
11. Is Spear Education only for experienced dentists?
No. Spear specifically provides resources for recent graduates as well as experienced dental professionals.
12. What subjects does Spear Education teach?
Its educational content covers areas such as treatment planning, restorative dentistry, occlusion, implants, esthetics, airway, practice management, communication, and team development.
13. What is Spear Online?
Spear Online is the organization’s digital learning platform, providing on-demand educational content and team-training resources.
14. What are Spear workshops?
Spear workshops are in-person educational programs designed to provide focused instruction and, for applicable courses, hands-on learning.
15. Can specialists join Spear Study Clubs?
Yes. Spear states that specialists, general and restorative dentists, and laboratory technicians are welcome to join or start Study Clubs.
16. Does Spear Education provide practice-management education?
Yes. Its current offering includes practice-development and team resources in addition to clinical education.
17. How do I choose a Spear course?
Consider your clinical interests, experience level, desired CE credits, preferred learning format, schedule, and professional goals before selecting a course.
18. Does Spear Education offer education for new dentists?
Yes. Spear has a dedicated recent-graduate section addressing clinical development, patient communication, treatment planning, mentorship, and early-career growth.
19. Does Spear Education have Study Clubs outside Arizona?
Spear states that it has Study Clubs in locations beyond its Scottsdale headquarters and provides resources for joining or starting a local club.
20. Where can I find current Spear Education programs?
The official Spear Education website provides current information about memberships, courses, workshops, Study Clubs, events, and educational resources.
