Spear's Core Workshop Curriculum helps practitioners learn to diagnose, treatment plan, and restore diverse cases, while also fostering a community of like-minded peers on the same journey to excellence
Recent dental school graduates are well-versed in diagnostics, clinical techniques, and treatment planning for single-tooth dentistry. However, learning to navigate and treatment plan complex patient cases is another matter, and one that requires ongoing education and training.
“It is extremely difficult to learn everything that you need to know in dentistry all at once, and trying to learn all the things you don't yet know can be a painstaking experience,” said Steve Ratcliff, DDS, MS, Chief Dental Officer at Spear Education. “Spear’s Core Workshop Curriculum is designed for doctors who want to be at the top of their game clinically. It allows them to do that gradually over a series of workshops."
Layered Learning with Incredible Support
The Spear Core Workshop Curriculum consists of eight 2- or 3-day courses at Spear’s 60,000-square-foot teaching facility in Scottsdale, AZ. These sessions involve both in-person lectures and hands-on training, which are conveniently available multiple times a year for easy integration into clinicians' busy schedules.
“Participants learn a concept at the introductory level, and then go back to their practices and put that learning to use. Once they return to campus, we do a recap and then introduce new concepts, which are more likely to make sense after completing the previous session,” Dr. Ratcliff explained. “This layered learning approach, combined with our thriving Spear community of peers and world-class faculty, helps strengthen doctors' overall learning experience.”
Recently deemed a DPS Best Product—with a near-perfect score of 4.9 out of 5—the Spear Core Workshop Curriculum is led by over 20 Spear Resident Faculty members, experienced educators, and innovators who offer unmatched dental expertise and unique perspectives. In addition, Spear Visiting Faculty members provide mentorship to those currently attending courses.
“We have 1 Visiting Faculty member for every 6 participants,” Dr. Ratcliff said. “Often, faculty members and participants will get together, have pizza and drinks, and talk about how to implement the lessons learned here after returning home."
Keeping Pace with Progress
Spear is constantly developing and refining its in-person courses, seminars, and online education offerings based on participant feedback and broader industry trends and insights.
“For example, this year, we have Resident Faculty members teaching a new workshop about integrating digital technology into diagnostics and treatment planning, as well as a new seminar on digital topics and trends,” Dr. Ratcliff said. “Between a massive online presence through Spear Online, hundreds of hours of CE-eligible content, over 700 Spear Study Clubs across the U.S. and Canada, and our in-person campus, there are so many ways practitioners can start learning with us.”
