The Transformative Power of Continuous Dental Education: Dr. Larry Langer’s Spear Education Journey

Dr. Larry Langer explains the light-bulb moment that brought him to Spear Education and why he’s so excited to continue learning

About 20 years ago, armed with extensive training and a newly acquired family practice in Marine Park, Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Larry Langer was introduced to a periodontist who would become his mentor and the catalyst in his journey with Spear Education.

“We did a few small cases, and he confided in me that he needed a great dentist who can do large complex cases or he was going to move his practice to Manhattan,” recalls Dr. Langer. “He told me straight-out that he was very impressed with my work, but taking on full-mouth rehabilitation, large sequential extraction cases, and big esthetic cases would require me to ‘up my game,’ ” he noted.

Dr. Langer then had a critical realization: Understanding occlusion was the key to his advancement. After exploring various courses, he stumbled upon a game-changer: An occlusion course with Dr. Frank Spear. “After the first day, I was so inspired listening to Frank talk about facially generated treatment planning, occlusion, centric relation, etc., it was like a light bulb went off in my head. He was going to be the person to help me on this exciting journey and to give me the tools I needed to move ahead,” explained Dr. Langer. “I walked up to Frank later in the day and spoke at length as to where I was in my career, and where I wanted to be. Needless to say, I was so excited that I signed up for the Occlusion in Clinical Practice workshop that very day!”

Working closely with fellow Spear members and guided by exceptional Spear educators, Dr. Langer honed his skills in CR bites, facebow use, and occlusion adjustments. “Everything was presented in a laid back and super friendly atmosphere,” he noted. “After many years of practice and continuing education, this was the first time I knew I was going to implement all the things we spoke about.”

Once back in Brooklyn, Dr. Langer and his periodontist mentor forged a dynamic partnership. They meticulously planned treatments, combining their expertise in prosthetic design and implant placement. This collaborative approach marked a fresh beginning that ignited Dr. Langer’s passion for dentistry. He continued his education with workshops on worn dentition and phasing complex treatment.

“The next 20 years of work were the most rewarding years of my life,” he said. “I’ve continued to be involved with Spear, especially the open forums which I found to be fantastic.”

Recently, after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Langer found a new calling as a clinical instructor at the New York University Dental School. His commitment to education remains unwavering as he encourages students and faculty to explore the invaluable resources offered by Spear Education.

“I will be forever grateful to Spear and their staff and look forward to continuing my education with Spear as an educator and mentor,” he noted.

Dr. Larry Langer’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of continuous dental education and mentorship. We at Spear are profoundly grateful for his dedication to elevating dentistry and look forward to supporting him in his role as an educator and mentor. His story serves as an inspiration to all those who aspire to reach new heights in their dental careers through lifelong learning and mentorship.

No matter your stage in dentistry, Spear Education is here to help you experience transformative results in your career like Dr. Langer. Learn more and find the Spear membership level that works for you.