Dental study clubs: what they are, how to join one and how to start one

Dentists often work with few chances to talk through a hard case with a peer. A study club is one way to fix that. This guide explains what a study club is, the main kinds, what to ask before joining, and how groups describe the steps to start one. Every organization is described only from its own public pages, as opened in October 2026.

What is a dental study club?

A dental study club is a group of dental professionals who meet on a regular schedule to learn together, usually by discussing real cases. The details differ by group. Some follow a set curriculum. Others are informal and set their own topics.

Spear Education gives a clear example of the structured form. It describes a Spear Study Club as “a local group of dental professionals who meet regularly to collaborate on real-world cases, follow a faculty-designed curriculum, and grow together in a supportive, interdisciplinary environment.” It contrasts that with informal clubs, saying its clubs add structured, faculty-designed meeting content, integrated CE opportunities, a digital platform and leadership resources.

Seattle Study Club describes a similar idea. Its About page says it combines “hands-on learning, case study discussions, and access to world-renowned speakers.” It says the organization was founded in 1992 and has grown into a global network. Its home page says it has 250+ study clubs nationwide.

The word study club therefore covers a wide range, from a handful of local colleagues to a branded national network. The shared features are regular meetings, peer discussion and a focus on practice problems.

What are the main types of dental study clubs?

Most clubs fall into three groups: network-run clubs, alumni-organized groups and independent local groups. The first two have published rules. The third has no central source, so the rules are whatever the members agree on.

Spear also says its clubs welcome mixed groups. Its page states that “specialists, general and restorative dentists, and lab technicians are welcome.” Mixed groups can help a general dentist see how a case looks from a specialist’s side. They can also help a specialist see how referrals land in a general practice.

The Kois Center page adds a limit that matters. It says its support materials for study groups need completion of listed Kois courses. Some groups may be open to anyone, and some may tie parts of the program to course history. Read the entry rules before you apply.

What do study clubs offer?

A study club offers regular peer review of cases, a place to compare methods, and in some programs a path to continuing education credit. Each group describes its own benefits, and none of these claims is independently measured.

• Peer feedback. Spear says “most dentists spend their days making high-stakes decisions without another clinician to consult,” and presents its clubs as a way to close that gap.
• Case collaboration. Seattle Study Club’s home page quotes a club director who wanted dentists to “talk to each other, make contact with other specialists, and not be afraid to say ‘I don’t know how to do this.’” That is one director’s stated aim, not a measured result.
• Referral relationships. Spear says its clubs “strengthen your referral network.” This is the company’s description.
• Leadership skills. Spear says it supports club leaders as they build leadership skills and run effective meetings.
• Continuing education. Spear says its meetings are “part of the larger Spear learning ecosystem, so you can earn CE credits.” See the credit section below.

Treat these as the organizers’ descriptions. Before joining, ask for a sample agenda, the member mix and the list of meeting dates. Those details tell you more than a brochure does. For background on continuing education as a whole, read the continuing education guide and the glossary entry on continuing education.

How do study clubs relate to CE credit?

Study club meetings count toward continuing education only when the organization that gives the credit is approved. AGD says this directly. Its awards page states: “Only hours earned from AGD PACE- or ADA CERP-approved organizations can be applied to the award CE requirements.”

PACE is the AGD Program Approval for Continuing Education. AGD’s page says the program “approves continuing dental education (CDE) organizations, not speakers or course content.” It also separates local from national approval. Local approval fits an organization that “draws participants from a single state or province and only offers in-person courses that do not award CE for the completion of homework assignments.”

Seattle Study Club’s About page shows the practical side. A staff member’s role description says her primary focus is “assisting clubs with AGD PACE applications.” That tells you some networks help local clubs seek approval. An independent group can ask the same question of any CE provider it works with.

Use these checks:

1. Ask who the approved provider is for the club’s CE.
2. Ask how credit is documented and who reports it.
3. Check your state board’s current rules for the hours you need. For Missouri, see Missouri dental CE requirements.
4. If you plan to pursue AGD awards, read the AGD fellowship and mastership guide and confirm that the hours count.
5. Keep your own record of every meeting, topic and hour.

Credit rules change. Treat the club’s statement as a starting point and confirm with the board or the awarding body. Terms such as CE credit and Academy of General Dentistry are explained in the glossary.

How do you join a dental study club?

Join by contacting the organizer through the group’s own page, then confirming fit and cost. The steps below are a general checklist. The details of each program come from its own site.

1. Find clubs near you. Seattle Study Club offers a club locator on its home page. Kois Study Groups list location, meeting frequency, whether the group is accepting new members, and a contact person. Spear says members can “join an existing club near you.”
2. Check the entry rule. Spear says that “as a Spear Practice member, you can join an existing club near you or start a new one.” Kois limits its group support materials to people who completed listed Kois courses. Ask each organizer what membership needs.
3. Ask to attend as a guest. Some groups may allow it. The pages reviewed here do not say, so ask.
4. Review the cost. The pages reviewed for this guide did not give one price for all clubs. Ask for current dues, extra fees, and any required membership in the sponsoring organization.
5. Compare time. Count meeting dates, travel and the hours away from your practice, and decide what the club needs from you between meetings.

A local dental society or your state association may also know of groups in your area. See what organized dentistry is for how those societies work.

How do you start a dental study club?

You can start an independent club on your own, or apply to lead a club in a network. Each network publishes its own route, and you should read the current version on its page.

Network routes, from each group’s own page:

• Spear. The Spear page offers a “Lead a Club” option. It says Spear supports “club leaders as they build leadership skills and run effective meetings.” It says specialists, general and restorative dentists, and lab technicians are welcome to start or join, and that a Spear Practice member can start a new club “with full support from Spear.”
• Seattle Study Club. The home page has “Apply to Start a Club” and “Apply for Club Director Role” options. The page does not list the full approval steps, so contact the organization for them.
• Kois Center. The Kois page says to “view the guidelines to organize an official Kois Study Group.” Its form asks for the group name, location, how often it will meet, whether it is accepting new members, and a contact person.

If you start an independent group, these are decisions to settle early. They are common planning questions, not sourced requirements.

1. Purpose. Pick a clear aim, such as case review, a technique, or practice management.
2. Members. Decide the size, who may join and how new members are added.
3. Schedule. Set a regular day, a location and a meeting length.
4. Format. Choose between case presentations, a reading list, a guest speaker, or a mix.
5. Ground rules. Agree on respect, confidentiality and how patient information is handled. Remove patient identifiers from any case shared outside the practice, and follow the privacy rules that apply to you. See HIPAA for dental offices.
6. CE credit. If you want to offer credit, ask an approved provider whether they can sponsor the meetings. AGD’s PACE page says the program approves organizations, so a single club does not receive approval by choosing a topic.
7. Leadership. Name a leader and a back-up. Rotate duties so the club does not depend on one person.
8. Review. After three or four meetings, ask members what is working and change the plan.

A study club is also a place to build mentorship and case presentation skills. Those are the same skills teams use in daily practice.

What should you watch for before committing?

Look past the marketing and ask for specifics. Several of the pages reviewed here use strong promotional language, such as claims about prestige or results. Those are the organizations’ own words and have not been checked by this guide.

• Outcome claims. A network may say members grow their practices. Ask for the basis, and note whether it is a measured result or a testimonial.
• Product ties. Ask whether the club is linked to a company that sells materials or equipment, and whether the content is tied to a product. AGD’s PACE page says participants may not be obligated “to utilize a volume of any products and/or services” as a condition of certification offered through an approved provider.
• Fit. A club for restorative case work will not help much if you want practice management topics.
• Time and cost. Add up fees, travel and time away from the chair.
• Participation. A club works when members prepare and take part. A passive club gives less.

Next step

Read the continuing education guide for how study clubs sit alongside courses and meetings, and visit the education page. Contact Dr. Copeland about study clubs. Dr. Jon Copeland, DDS, is a general dentist in Wildwood, Missouri.