Dr. Frank Spear, DDS, MSD, is an American dentist and renowned dental educator whose professional career has focused on esthetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, comprehensive treatment planning, and continuing dental education.
He is best known as the founder and namesake of Spear Education and for developing Facially Generated Treatment Planning (FGTP), an approach to comprehensive dental diagnosis and treatment planning. His professional work has influenced the way many dentists approach complex restorative and esthetic cases.
For patients researching Dr. Frank Spear as a dental specialist, his background provides useful insight into modern restorative dentistry, esthetic treatment planning, prosthodontics, occlusion, and comprehensive oral rehabilitation.
Dr. Spear earned his DDS and MSD from the University of Washington School of Dentistry and completed advanced training in periodontal prosthodontics. His career has included clinical dentistry, teaching, research, professional lectures, and extensive continuing dental education.
Important: Dr. Spear’s current professional profile states that he is retired from clinical dentistry. His continuing professional involvement is primarily associated with dental education.
About Dr. Frank Spear
Dr. Frank Spear is a dentist and dental educator recognized for his contributions to esthetic and restorative dentistry.
He founded Spear Education, an organization dedicated to continuing education and clinical training for dental professionals. His educational work has focused on helping dentists develop comprehensive treatment plans that consider the relationship between oral health, function, esthetics, tooth structure, biology, and other clinical factors.
One of Dr. Spear’s best-known contributions is Facially Generated Treatment Planning. This approach encourages dentists to evaluate a patient’s overall clinical situation rather than planning treatment around a single tooth or isolated problem.
Dr. Spear began presenting this treatment-planning concept in the 1980s and subsequently became widely recognized as an educator in diagnosis, restorative dentistry, esthetic dentistry, treatment planning, and occlusion.
Patients researching different types of dental specialists can benefit from understanding these areas because complex restorative cases may require coordinated treatment planning across multiple dental disciplines.
For related information, readers can also explore the Perfect Dental Clinic profile of Dr. Thomas Connelly – Dental Specialist & Cosmetic Dentist.
Qualifications & Experience
Dr. Frank Spear’s documented academic and professional qualifications include:
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) — University of Washington School of Dentistry
- Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) — University of Washington School of Dentistry
- Certificate in Periodontal Prosthodontics — University of Washington School of Dentistry
- Bachelor of Arts in Biology with honors — Pacific Lutheran University
His professional affiliations have included organizations such as the American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Association, American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, American College of Prosthodontists, King County Dental Association, and Washington State Society of Prosthodontists.
Dr. Spear has also received professional recognition for his contributions to restorative and esthetic dental education.
His career has included extensive teaching and lecturing, as well as the development of continuing education programs for dentists and dental teams.
Specialty & Expertise
Esthetic Dentistry
Esthetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of the teeth and smile while maintaining appropriate oral function.
Dr. Spear has spent much of his professional career teaching dentists about esthetic evaluation and treatment planning, including the relationship between facial characteristics, tooth position, proportions, function, and restorative dentistry.
Patients interested in cosmetic or esthetic dental care can also explore the Dr. Thomas Connelly dental specialist and cosmetic dentist profile for related information.
Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry involves the diagnosis and treatment of damaged, weakened, or missing teeth.
Dr. Spear’s professional education has addressed comprehensive restorative treatment, treatment planning, tooth preservation, occlusion, and restorative decision-making.
The objective of restorative treatment is generally to address dental disease or damage while considering function, durability, appearance, and long-term oral health.
Prosthodontics
Dr. Spear completed advanced postgraduate training in periodontal prosthodontics at the University of Washington.
Prosthodontics is a dental specialty concerned with restoring and replacing teeth. Prosthodontic treatment may involve complex restorative procedures, prosthetic teeth, crowns, bridges, dentures, and implant-related treatment planning.
Patients researching different dental specialists may also find the Perfect Dental Clinic profiles of Dr. Neha Mehta and Dr. Amit Gupta useful for comparison and additional professional information.
Comprehensive Treatment Planning
Comprehensive treatment planning has been a major part of Dr. Spear’s professional education.
His Facially Generated Treatment Planning approach encourages clinicians to consider several factors when developing a treatment strategy, including:
- Esthetics
- Function
- Tooth structure
- Biology
- Airway considerations
The purpose of comprehensive planning is to understand how different dental conditions and treatments relate to one another before treatment begins.
Occlusion and Functional Dentistry
Occlusion refers to the way the upper and lower teeth come together and function during biting and chewing.
Dr. Spear has taught dentists about occlusion and its relationship to restorative treatment. Understanding functional relationships can be particularly important when planning extensive restorative or reconstructive dental treatment.
For patients exploring other dental professionals, the Dr. Jon Marashi dentist profile provides another relevant resource within the Perfect Dental Clinic dentist collection.
Treatments & Services
Dr. Spear’s current professional profile states that he is retired from clinical dentistry. Therefore, his historical clinical expertise should not be presented as a list of treatments that he currently provides.
His documented professional and educational work has covered areas including:
- Esthetic dentistry
- Restorative dentistry
- Prosthodontics
- Comprehensive treatment planning
- Occlusion and functional dentistry
- Fixed restorative dentistry
- Implant-related treatment planning
- Cosmetic and esthetic treatment planning
- Interdisciplinary treatment planning
- Tooth preservation
- Complex restorative treatment planning
These areas describe Dr. Spear’s documented professional expertise and educational work rather than a current patient treatment menu.
Patients who require active dental treatment should consult a currently practicing dentist or appropriately qualified dental specialist.
Clinic & Appointment Information
Professional Background
Dr. Frank Spear is closely associated with Spear Education, a dental education organization that provides continuing education and professional development for dentists and dental teams.
His work through Spear Education has focused on clinical education, treatment planning, restorative dentistry, esthetic dentistry, and related areas of comprehensive dental care.
Current Clinical Status
Dr. Spear’s professional profile states that he is retired from clinical dentistry.
As a result, patients should not assume that he currently provides routine dental treatment or accepts new clinical patients.
Consultation Hours
Current consultation hours for Dr. Frank Spear were not verified through an authoritative source.
Accordingly, no specific consultation schedule is provided here.
Appointment Information
Because Dr. Spear is reported as retired from clinical dentistry, current patient appointments with him should not be assumed to be available.
Patients seeking active dental care should consult a currently practicing dental professional whose specialty matches their treatment needs.
For additional Perfect Dental Clinic dentist resources, see the profiles for Dr. Brian Kantor and Dr. Ashish Sharma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr. Frank Spear?
Dr. Frank Spear, DDS, MSD, is an American dentist and dental educator known for his work in esthetic and restorative dentistry, comprehensive treatment planning, and dental education.
What is Dr. Frank Spear’s specialty?
Dr. Spear completed advanced postgraduate training in periodontal prosthodontics. His professional career has focused particularly on esthetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, prosthodontic treatment planning, and comprehensive dental care.
Is Dr. Frank Spear a dental specialist?
Dr. Spear has advanced postgraduate dental training in periodontal prosthodontics and extensive experience in restorative and esthetic dentistry. His current professional role, however, is primarily associated with dental education because he is retired from clinical dentistry.
Is Dr. Frank Spear still practicing dentistry?
No. His current professional profile states that he is retired from clinical dentistry. He continues to be recognized for his contributions to dental education and remains associated with Spear Education.
What is Facially Generated Treatment Planning?
Facially Generated Treatment Planning, or FGTP, is a treatment-planning approach developed by Dr. Spear. It encourages dentists to consider esthetics, function, structure, biology, and airway factors when developing comprehensive treatment plans.
What are Dr. Frank Spear’s qualifications?
His documented qualifications include a DDS and MSD from the University of Washington School of Dentistry, a certificate in periodontal prosthodontics, and a BA in Biology with honors from Pacific Lutheran University.
Where is Dr. Frank Spear professionally associated?
Dr. Spear is the founder and namesake of Spear Education, a dental education organization associated with professional education and clinical training for dentists.
Can I book an appointment with Dr. Frank Spear?
Dr. Spear’s professional profile states that he is retired from clinical dentistry. Therefore, patients should not assume that he currently accepts routine dental appointments.