It has been an incredibly exciting 2008 for us here in the Northwest! I want to share with you some of the new things going on.

We've changed our name to the Spear Institute for Advanced Dental Education.

We’ve created new and exciting seminars for 2009: Creating Natural Beauty, Occlusion 2009, and Treating the Worn Dentition.

We've begun offering an expanded schedule of our first two workshops at the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry in Arizona so that more of you can attend a hands-on experience and begin your journey through the Spear Mastery Continuum.

For the first time ever, we will offer Live Patient Experiences. These will also be held at the Scottsdale Center in Arizona.

My practice partner, Dr. Gregg Kinzer, continues to teach with me in workshops in Seattle, but our faculty has expanded with the addition of Dr. Gary DeWood and Dr. Lee Ann Brady, former Clinical Directors at the Pankey Institute. Gary and Lee will be speaking with me at the seminars, teaching in the workshops, and practicing with me in Seattle and Scottsdale. If you have spent time with Gary or Lee I know you share my excitement in having them join me. If you have not, I invite you to experience their teaching in 2009.

I’ve added a new series of DVDs increasing the learning opportunities available to you at home and on your time schedule.

I’ve developed relationships with a few select laboratories that wish to send technicians to Spear Lab Technician Accreditation courses taught by Gary and Lee. I’m very much aware of the frustration many of you have experienced with laboratory relationships. Through these courses, and the active involvement of accredited technicians in the Live Patient Experiences, I’m hopeful I’ll be able to recommend lab relationships you can pursue with confidence.

Please look through our catalog of educational opportunities and contact us with any questions you may have. When you think of dental continuing education, think of the Spear Institute. I look forward to seeing you in 2009.