Antibiotic alternatives to amoxicillin linked to an increase in dental implant failure

Dental implants are more than twice as likely to fail in people who report an allergy to penicillin and are given alternative antibiotics, compared to those given amoxicillin, a new study by researchers at NYU College of Dentistry shows.

The study, published in Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research, is the first to examine the impact of prescribing antibiotics other than amoxicillin for dental implants.

Dental implants provide secure, long-term solutions for replacing missing or damaged teeth. A screw-like implant is surgically placed in the jawbone to act as a replacement tooth’s root and anchor the artificial tooth. The bone then fuses to the implant over several months, integrating it into the jaw.

While dental implants are largely successful, a small proportion of implants fail when the jawbone does not properly integrate the implant. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including infection, smoking, or injury to the tooth. To reduce the chance of infection, many dental providers prescribe amoxicillin—an antibiotic in the penicillin family—prior to and following implant surgery. If a patient reports an allergy to penicillin, alternative antibiotics can be prescribed.

Previous studies have shown that patients with a penicillin allergy experience higher rates of dental implant failure but have not looked at which antibiotics were used. To understand the outcomes of taking different antibiotics, NYU College of Dentistry researchers reviewed the charts of patients who received dental implants, documenting which antibiotics were given and whether their dental implant was successful or failed.

The sample included 838 patients—434 who reported having a penicillin allergy, as well as a random sample of 404 patients without the allergy. All patients without a penicillin allergy were given amoxicillin, while those who reported an allergy were given alternative antibiotics: clindamycin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, or metronidazole.

The researchers found that dental implants failed in 17.1% of patients who reported a penicillin allergy, compared to 8.4% of patients without an allergy. Patients who took certain antibiotics other than amoxicillin were much less likely to have successful dental implants; the failure rate for patients taking clindamycin was 19.9% and was 30.8% for azithromycin.

In addition, patients with an allergy to penicillin were more likely to experience earlier failure of their dental implant (less than 6 months) than those without an allergy (more than 12 months).

The reason why dental implants failed in patients with a penicillin allergy is unknown, the researchers write. It could be attributed to several factors, including reactions to the material used in implants or inefficacy of the alternative antibiotics.

However, research shows that penicillin allergies are overreported—90% of people who say they have penicillin allergies are not truly allergic to penicillin after testing. As a result, health experts recommend testing patients who report a penicillin allergy to confirm whether they are actually allergic.

“If a patient's actual allergy status is determined prior to oral surgery, we may be able to achieve more favorable outcomes by prescribing amoxicillin to those without a true allergy,” said Zahra Bagheri, DDS, clinical assistant professor in the Ashman Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry at NYU College of Dentistry and the study’s lead author.

"Although a growing body of evidence—at the research level—demonstrates links between oral and systemic conditions, the population still needs to know—at the consumer level—just how connected oral conditions, like the success of dental implants, are to systemic conditions, like allergies,” said Leena Palomo, DDS, chair of the Ashman Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry at NYU College of Dentistry. “This study highlights the importance of patients transmitting accurate, updated systemic health details to their dental care teams."

In addition to Bagheri, study authors include Nicholas Barrese, Geoffrey Rubinshtein, Dina Zahedi, Malvin Janal, and Stuart Froum of NYU College of Dentistry.

About NYU College of Dentistry

Founded in 1865, New York University College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry) is the third oldest and the largest dental school in the US, educating nearly 10 percent of the nation’s dentists. NYU Dentistry has a significant global reach with a highly diverse student body. Visit dental.nyu.edu for more.

Heartland Dental, the nation's leading dental support organization (DSO), today announced the appointment of Sarah Jackson as Chief Human Resources Officer, effective immediately. Jackson joins the company's senior leadership team under the direction of Pat Bauer, President and CEO.

"We are pleased to welcome Sarah to Heartland Dental," said Bauer. "She brings with her a wealth of experience across strategic HR, leading complex organizational operations, business planning and change management initiatives. Her valuable insights and proven people leadership will help us continue to provide a constructive environment for our supported doctors and team members, enabling our ongoing growth and success."

Jackson most recently served as the Chief Human Resources Officer for Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc, a public gaming company, where she led a large network of HR professionals responsible for providing motivation, direction, and guidance to corporate and field senior executives.

"This is an exciting time to join Heartland Dental as the company continues to realize rapid growth and expansion. It's a privilege to join this team of talented individuals who are partnering with our supported doctors to change the way that people access high-quality dental care. I'm thrilled to begin this new chapter with Heartland Dental," said Jackson.

Prior to Isle of Capri Casinos, Jackson was the president and lead partner at Strategic Collaborative Journeys, LLC, where she worked with large ownership groups while counseling senior teams on various topics in the hospitality industry. She was also the SVP of Human Resources for Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc. and a member of their executive team.

About Heartland Dental

Heartland Dental is the nation's largest dental support organization providing non-clinical, administrative support services. What started from the entrepreneurial spirit of Rick Workman, DMD, with his single dental practice, has evolved into affiliating with over 2,300 doctors in over 1,600 locations across 38 states. The company is majority owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm. For additional information, please visit heartland.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, a leading national nonprofit focused on creating a more accessible, equitable, and integrated oral health system, joined a nonpartisan group of organizations urging Congress to lift a federal funding ban that prohibits states and Tribal communities from accessing health workforce grants for dental therapy programs. The group, which includes more than 90 organizations, sent a letter to the House and Senate appropriations subcommittees asking for the elimination of this funding ban in the FY2023 appropriations bills.

Dental therapists are licensed providers who work under the supervision of a dentist to provide routine dental care like exams and fillings and can help expand access to oral health care, especially in rural communities. Their employment cost is lower than dentists, so hiring dental therapists can be a cost-effective way for safety-net clinics to stretch their budget to treat more patients. Congress recognized the opportunity to improve access to care through the expanded use of dental therapists when it created a federal grant program in 2010 to support training and development of dental providers like dental therapists. Unfortunately, this grant program has never been funded because Congress continues to pass appropriations language that prohibits the Health Resources and Services Administration from doing so.

“Congress recognized the opportunity to expand access to dental care through dental therapists more than 10 years ago. Lifting the funding ban on dental therapy programs would allow states and Tribes to pilot and scale these programs to increase access to oral health for communities that face the highest barriers to it,” said Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, president and CEO of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. “Amid ongoing health care workforce shortages, we are joining the call to Congress to authorize this funding so communities can access the critical resources they need to expand their dental workforce.”

Oral health is one of the most visible causes of health disparities in America, and good oral health remains out of reach for many low-income families, communities of color, Tribal communities, and rural communities. Research from Minnesota published in March in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates that expanding the dental workforce to include dental therapists shows associated improvements in access to dental care among disadvantaged populations.

Across the country, more and more states are authorizing the licensure of dental therapists to ensure that every community has access to dental care. Support for expanding the dental workforce to include dental therapists is diverse and bipartisan. Dental therapists are working or authorized in at least some settings in 12 states and have had a positive impact on the communities they serve. Seven more states have had legislation introduced in the last year to authorize them. However, many of these states lack the federal support they need to further expand their oral health workforce through dental therapy.

The coalition is also asking Congress to fully fund the alternative dental health care provider demonstration grant program, which supports dental therapy. Specifically, they are asking for at least $5 million in funding to be allocated to the grant program to allow states to take advantage of this critical resource.

About CareQuest Institute for Oral Health®

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® is a national nonprofit championing a more equitable future where every person can reach their full potential through excellent health. We do this through our work in grantmaking, research, health improvement programs, policy and advocacy, and education as well as our leadership in dental benefits and innovation advancements. We collaborate with thought leaders, health care providers, patients, and local, state, and federal stakeholders, to accelerate oral health care transformation and create a system designed for everyone. To learn more, visit carequest.org and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Solmetex, LLC, a leading provider of amalgam separators and other waste-compliance products, today announced that it has closed the acquisition of DryShield^®, a dental innovator of in-treatment patient isolation products, combining high suction evacuation, bite block, tongue shield, and oral pathway protector into one technology. 

DryShield enables dental practices to treat patients more efficiently, while bringing a new level of comfort to patients in-procedure. 

With Solmetex’s recently announced acquisition of Sterisil, a leading innovator of dental unit water line infection control products, the combined company will result in a diversified business and category leader in dental water treatment and patient safety management for the United States and global dental markets. This includes a commitment to strengthen and expand partnerships based on assisting both individual dental practices and Dental Service Organizations in managing highly efficient businesses with patient safety at the forefront. 

DryShield brings a history of innovation in the development of dental technologies designed to bring unmatched levels of ease, comfort and safety to dentists and their patients and, as part of the Solmetex offering, will expand its continued focus on developing and implementing treatment focused technologies. 

Gene Dorff, Solmetex Chief Executive Officer, stated: “This is a transformational time for Solmetex and the addition of DryShield to our platform will ensure growth and expansion into other technology areas where we believe Solmetex will be successful. We will continue to deliver excellent customer service, and high-quality, reliable products to all of our business partners and the patient populations they serve. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with the team to execute our future growth plans.” 

Dr. Lan Nguyen, DryShield founder, added: “We have worked diligently to stay close to our community of dentists when developing DryShield. We believe Solmetex is perfectly positioned to expand adoption and usage of this treatment changing technology, with the leadership, organization, and resources to help us achieve our next phase of growth.” 

Thien Nguyen, DryShield co-founder/CEO, offered: “We are excited to work with the Solmetex team to accelerate and scale DryShield across the dental industry markets both domestically and internationally. Solmetex brings a world-class organization and complementary set of capabilities, including commercial and financial resources to take DryShield to the next level.” 

Solmetex is a portfolio company of Avista Capital Partners (“Avista”), which together with other shareholders, is providing equity capital, operational oversight, and strategic counsel to help ensure the success of the newly combined company. 

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed,

About Solmetex, Llc 

Solmetex provides waste-management services through a series of specialized processes and systems that cost-effectively remove mercury from the waste stream and offers additional dental waste solutions. The company’s NXT Hg5^™ Series of Amalgam Separators and recycling program, which treat dental wastewater, is highly regarded as an ideal solution for regulatory compliance. Solmetex is widely recognized as a trusted source for comprehensive environmental solutions for dental waste needs. For further information, visit www.solmetex.com.

About Dryshield

The flagship DryShield solution is a patented autoclavable isolation system that combines all the tasks of a high-suction evacuator, bite block, dry angles, cotton rolls, and gauze in one sleek device. This intelligent breakthrough in isolation was the result of years of R&D innovation, designed by a dentist for dentists. We then listened to our customer community and introduced the single-use mouthpiece option to serve the needs of certain hospitals, government organizations, and practices in need of the added convenience. DryShield represents a commitment to creating new products that dentists see value from every day. For more information, visit www.dryshield.com.

About AvistaCapital Partners

Founded in 2005, AvistaCapital is a leading New York-based private equity firm with nearly $8 billion invested in more than 40 growth-oriented health-care businesses globally. Avista partners with businesses that feature strong management teams, stable cashflows, and robust growth prospects – targeting products and technology businesses with clear scale potential across six sub-sectors experiencing strong tailwinds. The team is supported by a group of strategic executives enhancing the entire investment process through strategic insight, operational oversight, and senior counsel, which helps drive growth and performance while fostering sustainable businesses and creating long-term value for all stakeholders. For more information, visit www.avistacap.com.

The latest version of the vhf machining software DENTALCAM allows its users to get faster than ever to perfect restorations. On top of that, this powerful program package now comes with a new look and feel while maintaining an easy to use user interface. The upgrade will be completed by an extremely helpful Guided Troubleshooting. After enthusiastic feedback on the sneak preview at the IDS trade show 2021 in Cologne, the new software has been delivered with all new machines as of January 2022. Now, upgrades from previous DENTALCAM versions are available – for 1,500 machine owners completely free of charge.

The vhf software developers were able to accelerate the already fast machining speeds of DENTALCAM 7 considerably again, thanks to new machining strategies. A significant time saving of up to 30 % is achieved when milling zirconia and PMMA. On top of that, the grinding times on the R5 and N4+ could also be improved by up to 30 %. And last but not least, the working efficiency could be further increased, due to up to 50 % quicker data import which makes nesting faster.

The new look and feel of DENTALCAM 8 offers several advantages at once. The modern design immediately catches the eye. It has been optimized for an even quicker user guidance, the views are now more focused on the particular job. The user interface has become more clear and offers a completely new user experience. At the same time DENTALCAM 8 follows the same operating logic like DENTALCAM 7, so the switch to the new version will be intuitive.

Another important improvement in DENTALCAM 8 is automatic updates of the material database, so vhf can release new materials for general usage without the necessity of a software update. On top of that, the users can now label their objects individually and durably thanks to the new engraving function. And in case of an error message, the user will benefit from Guided Troubleshooting which leads to the corresponding online help with an interactive guide for error recovery. The list of improvements go on, a comprehensive overview can be found in the vhf dental portal.

The vhf CAM software reliably delivers excellent results and can be used in any dental lab or practice. It has always been an important part of vhf’s portfolio – developed in-house, with an open STL import and perfectly adjusted to vhf’s high-performance dental machines. With vhf DENTALCAM the user can directly start his production – without complicated programming or special prior knowledge. vhf provides DENTALCAM with every new machine free of license fees – a real advantage compared with other suppliers in the dental industry.

Owners of the latest 1,500 machines with DENTALCAM 7 will benefit from a free upgrade to DENTALCAM 8 worth $1,490. All DENTALCAM users can check via the following URL whether they are qualified for a free upgrade: www.vhf.com/dentalcam-8-upgrade/

For older versions, there are favorable upgrade offers available. vhf resellers will be glad to inform their users about the conditions in detail. Furthermore, thanks to a free test version of DENTALCAM 8, everyone has the chance to get convinced of the new functionality in an extensive trial before purchase. DENTALCAM users who do not qualify for the free upgrade, will automatically receive an appropriate download link from the vhf service team.

Spear Education, the industry leader in helping dentists achieve “Great Dentistry”, has announced a new two-day CE event featuring Frank Spear, D.D.S., M.S.D., called Spear Live. Spear Live will be held both June 16-17, 2022, in Scottsdale, Arizona, and August 12-13, 2022, in Boston, Massachusetts. Individuals can choose to register for either event.

Spear Live, which is open to all dental professionals, is focused on helping dentists expand their ability to take on larger, more complex cases. During the 14 CE event, participants will learn:

-Every area to consider when planning large complex cases;

-How esthetic-based treatment planning can help dentists consistently treatment plan cases of any size;

-How airway considerations affect treatment consideration;

-When occlusal considerations can make or break a case;

-How to communicate effectively with patients; and

-What dentists need to do to set their practice up to begin taking on complex cases.

Participants will learn from some of the most respected dental educators in the industry including:

-Frank Spear, D.D.S., M.S.D.

-Gregg Kinzer, D.D.S., M.S.D.

-Jeff Rouse, D.D.S.

-Ricardo Mitrani, D.D.S., M.S.D.

-Gary DeWood, D.D.S., M.S.

-Darin Dichter, D.M.D.

The cost for the event is $2,495, with special pricing available for Spear Members. For more information and to register for the event, visit https://content.speareducation.com/2022-spear-live.

Known for high-caliber course content and innovative delivery, Spear Education makes it possible for dentists and their staff to achieve Great Dentistry. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, Spear offers the full spectrum of in-person and online education and practice management resources designed to help dental practices provide the best quality of care to their patients and love what they do. With more than 17,000 members, 700+ Study Groups, thousands of available continuing education courses taught engaging faculty who are leaders in the dental industry, Spear is the industry leader in dental education and practice management solutions.

Pacific Dental Services® (PDS), one of the country’s leading dental support organizations, announced the grand opening of Sahara Health Group, a new supported medical practice in Las Vegas, Nev. Led by owner physician Elena Garcia, MD, the practice will conduct operations in the same location as Sahara Modern Dentistry. The practice represents the latest development in a series of innovative partnerships initiated by PDS that support medical and dental integration to improve the overall health of patients. Sahara Health Group began operations Tuesday, April 5.

Sahara Modern Dentistry, owned by Lulu Tang, DMD, opened in May 2021. Dr. Garcia and her team hope to improve the overall health of each patient by not only sharing the same clinical space but working collaboratively with dental clinicians to address a patient’s medical and dental needs holistically. This innovative concept increases access to integrated, comprehensive health care by offering primary medical care, oral health care, salivary diagnostics, preventative medicine, chronic disease management and more – all under the same roof. It also enables patients to be seen by medical and dental professionals who understand the critical link between oral health and whole-body health.

This unique partnership furthers PDS’s goal to educate others on the link between their oral health and overall health – what PDS and its supported practices call The Mouth-Body Connection®. Research shows that harmful bacteria and inflammation in the mouth can indicate and even cause systemic conditions throughout the body. Periodontal disease has been connected to systemic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, pre-term/low-weight births, cancer and more. Conversely, the link is often bi-directional. Many systemic diseases, conditions and even medications can affect a patient’s oral health.

“As leaders in the industry, Pacific Dental Services has long advocated for closer collaboration between dental and medical professionals to improve health outcomes for patients,” said Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of Pacific Dental Services. “This unique partnership is another important step towards establishing integrated care, enabling patients to receive comprehensive oral health care and medical care in the same location, and bridging the gap between clinicians so they can improve health outcomes for all patients.”

In addition, PDS was the first dental organization in the world to implement Epic®, the most widely used, comprehensive health records system, into its supported practices. Through Epic, PDS-supported dental practices can easily exchange patient data with other health care providers for improved patient care. Integrated health records provide a better understanding of a patient’s overall health, allowing providers to more effectively design a treatment plan to achieve and maintain optimal well-being. As an added benefit, this also allows patients to view their acute, primary and dental health records all in one place. This powerful tool helps connect what is happening in their mouth with the rest of their body, leading to better overall health for the patient.

PDS launched a similar dental-medical integrated model in July 2021 with the opening of Union Village Modern Dentistry, Union Village Kid’s Dentistry, and Union Village Medical Group – three practices located next door to each other in Henderson, Nev. Dr. Garcia also owns Union Village Medical Group.

“Pacific Dental Services understands that dental care and medical care can no longer be treated as separate entities,” said Dr. Garcia. “It’s the reason I was drawn to them initially and why I’m proud to partner with them again to improve the overall health of all our patients.”

Sahara Health Group and Sahara Modern Dentistry are located at 4950 W Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89146.

About Pacific Dental Services

Founded in 1994, Pacific Dental Services (PDS) is one of the country’s leading dental support organizations, providing supported autonomy that enables dentists to concentrate on clinical excellence and the highest levels of cost-effective comprehensive patient care. PDS originated the Private Practice+® model to enable dentists to focus on their passion: serving patients. PDS also pioneered the concept of Modern Dentistry so that dentists are equipped to combine advances in the latest technology with the best operational practices and procedures, highly skilled support staff and a commitment to ongoing training and education. PDS continues to grow, with more than 870 supported dental offices across the United States. PDS has been on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in America 14 times. PDS-supported dentists aim to be the provider of choice in all the markets they serve and to develop Patients for Life™. For more information, visit us at pacificdentalservices.com or follow us on Facebook: @pacificdentalservices, Instagram: @pacific.dental, LinkedIn: @pacific-dental-services, Twitter: @pacificdental, and YouTube: @pacificdentaltv.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants announced today that it has acquired Treloar & Heisel located in New Castle, Pennsylvania. The strategic decision expands the offerings of financial planning and insurance services to medical and dental professionals.

Treloar & Heisel is a 63-year-old organization specializing in providing life & disability insurance, property & casualty insurance, and financial services to those in the medical and dental industry. These include dental practitioners, specialists, students, and residents. The main focus for the advisors within Treloar & Heisel is to provide education and stability to dental and medical professionals as they begin their careers, as well as when they have become fully established practitioners and are ready to begin planning for retirement and life after practice.

The team at Treloar & Heisel advises over 20,000 dental specialists throughout the country. They partner with and are endorsed by many associations including The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, America College of Prosthodontists, The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The American Academy of Periodontology, The American Association of Endodontists, The Chicago Dental Society, The American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and The American Academy of Implant Dentistry. By being an integral part of these associations, Treloar & Heisel advisors can truly partner with the dental and medical professionals for whom they provide support and services.

Scott Fehrs, ChFC®, Chief Executive Officer and Kenneth Thomalla, CPA, CLU®, CFP®, Chief Operating Officer of Treloar & Heisel will remain a part of the leadership team as they join the EPIC organization.

“Our team is very excited about the opportunities ahead with EPIC. The collaboration will bring both businesses added knowledge capital and business clout. By further collaborating with the experts in the specialty practices across EPIC and the Galway platform of companies, we will be able to bring even more services to our clients,” said Fehrs.

Scott Davis, President, EPIC National Specialties said, “By partnering with the team of experts within Treloar & Heisel, we will be able to continue to evolve our specialty focus and drive greater results. We are fortunate to have this opportunity and look forward to collaborating as we continue to achieve mutual success for our clients.”

About EPIC Brokers & Consultants

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants has more than 2,600 team members operating from more than 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients. For more information visit: https://www.epicbrokers.com

About Treloar & Heisel

Treloar & Heisel was founded in 1959 by Dan Treloar. As a premier provider of financial services to dental and medical professionals from training to retirement, its goal is to educate, prepare and protect clients with a comprehensive suite of wealth management and insurance products, customized to their needs. For more information, visit: https://www.treloaronline.com/

We’re proud to announce the first group of dental professionals earned the Dental Industry Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control (DISIPC) certification on April 1, 2022. The DISIPC certification was developed by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) in collaboration with the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP).

The DISIPC certification is the first and only infection control certification specifically for dental sales and practice management professionals. Those who hold the DISIPC certification have proven their knowledge in CDC guidelines and OSHA standards and regulations, as well as concepts related to the prevention of disease transmission in the dental office.

“We congratulate the outstanding dental industry professionals who were among the first to earn DISIPC certification,” said DANB CEO Laura Skarnulis. “Dental industry professionals are often a key provider of dental infection control information to dental practices. By earning the DISIPC distinction, you help dental teams provide safe and high-quality patient care.”

“The dental industry professionals who reached this achievement are leaders in their field,” said OSAP Executive Director Michelle Lee. “They have verified their knowledge and are well-positioned to support the dental practices they serve as a trusted resource in infection control guidelines and protocols.”

Those who earned DISIPC certification in April did so through a special testing event. The DISIPC certification will launch in summer 2022.

For more information, visit dentalinfectioncontrol.org. 

Spear Education, an industry leader in helping dentists achieve “Great Dentistry,” has announced a new two-day CE event featuring Frank Spear, DDS, MSD, called Spear Live. Spear Live will be held from June 16-17, in Scottsdale, Arizona, and August 12-13, in Boston. Individuals can choose to register for either event.

Spear Live, which is open to all dental professionals, is focused on helping dentists expand their ability to take on larger, more complex cases. During the event, which offers up to 14 CE credits, participants will learn:

• Every area to consider when planning large complex cases;

• How esthetic-based treatment planning can help dentists consistently treatment plan cases of any size;

• How airway considerations affect treatment consideration;

• When occlusal considerations can make or break a case;

• How to communicate effectively with patients; and

• What dentists need to do to set their practice up to begin taking on complex cases.

Participants will learn from some of the most respected dental educators in the industry including:

• Frank Spear, DDS, MSD

• Gregg Kinzer, DDS, MSD

• Jeff Rouse, DDS

• Ricardo Mitrani, DDS, MSD

• Gary DeWood, DDS, MSD

• Darin Dichter, DMD

The cost for the event is $2,495, with special pricing available for Spear Members. For more information and to register for the event, visit https://content.speareducation.com/2022-spear-live.

About Spear Education

Known for high-caliber course content and innovative delivery, Spear Education makes it possible for dentists and their staff to achieve Great Dentistry. Located in Scottsdale, Spear offers the full spectrum of in-person and online education and practice-management resources designed to help dental practices provide the best quality of care to their patients and love what they do. With more than 17,000 members, 700+ study groups, thousands of available CE courses taught by engaging faculty who are leaders in the dental industry, Spear is an industry leader in dental education and practice- management solutions.