Spear Education All-Stars on Prosthodontics, Mentorship & Mastery

This throwback episode of the Group Function Podcast captures a candid roundtable originally recorded in August 2021 during a Spear Education virtual summit. Host Dr. Alan Mead is joined by an all-star lineup of Spear resident faculty to explore the origins of their careers, their transition into prosthodontics, the philosophy behind master-level dental education, and the evolution of modern clinical practice.

Featured Guests

Dr. Gregg Kinzer – Resident Faculty at Spear Education

Dr. Bob Winter – Resident Faculty at Spear Education, master ceramist, and prosthodontist

Dr. Jeff Rouse – Resident Faculty at Spear Education and pioneer in airway prosthodontics

Dr. Ricardo Mitrani – Resident Faculty at Spear Education and international lecturer

Key Topics Covered

Origin Stories & Mentorship: How childhood experiences, early misadventures, and influential mentors (like Dr. Bill Robbins) steered each panelist into dentistry.

Choosing Prosthodontics: The catalyst for pursuing advanced prosthodontic specialty training, from grueling residency wax-ups to learning from early clinical hurdles.

Laboratory Dynamics & Materials: Dr. Bob Winter's background as a master ceramist, the critical nature of lab communication, and navigating clinical science versus marketing trends in materials like translucent zirconia.

The Spear Educational Philosophy: Why workshops and continuous auditing matter, evolving curriculum based on literature and clinical reality, and transitioning from ego-driven lecturing to empowering the next generation of clinicians.

The Hybrid Future of CE: Balancing in-person, hands-on workshop immersion with the accessibility of virtual study clubs and digital summits.