Rethinking the Roster: How Education is Forging the New Dental Workforce

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – July 13, 2026 – In an industry grappling with persistent staffing shortages, a new partnership is proposing a radical solution: instead of just finding more bodies to fill chairs, what if we fundamentally upgraded the capabilities of the workforce itself? That’s the strategic bet behind today’s announcement from Spear Education, a leader in advanced dental training, and Kwikly, a fast-growing dental workforce platform. The two have joined forces to launch the Kwikly Hygiene Membership, a program that embeds Spear’s elite continuing education directly into the workflow of temporary and flexible dental hygienists.

The collaboration represents more than a simple business deal; it signals a pivotal shift in how we think about building effective healthcare teams. By integrating high-level training with a flexible staffing model, the initiative moves beyond the transactional nature of temp work to create a system of continuous professional development. This isn't just about filling a gap in the schedule; it's about ensuring that every professional who walks into a practice is equipped to elevate its standard of care.

Empowering the Modern Hygienist as a Co-Therapist

At the heart of this partnership is a philosophical shift in the role of the dental hygienist. Spear Education has long championed the concept of the hygienist as a "co-therapist"—a clinical partner who collaborates with the dentist on comprehensive diagnosis and patient care, rather than simply performing cleanings. The new Kwikly Hygiene Membership makes this vision accessible to a much broader audience.

For an annual commitment starting at $25 a month, eligible hygienists on the Kwikly platform gain access to Spear's "Hygiene Excellence" curriculum and a library of nearly 100 online courses. This is a significant democratization of what is typically premium-priced education. The curriculum is designed to be comprehensive, covering not just clinical skills like advanced instrumentation and infection control, but also critical soft skills in patient communication, workflow efficiency, and treatment plan co-diagnosis. Courses focus on practical application, training hygienists to lead productive conversations using motivational interviewing techniques and to present a unified message to patients alongside the dentist.

"Dental hygienists play a vital role in delivering exceptional patient care, and they deserve access to education that supports them throughout every stage of their careers," said Aimee Fletcher, director of strategic partnerships at Spear Education. "Through this partnership with Kwikly, we're making it easier for hygienists to continue building their clinical skills, stay current with evolving best practices, and deliver even greater value to the patients and practices they serve."

This initiative aligns perfectly with the evolving standards of the profession. Organizations like the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) are increasingly emphasizing the hygienist's role in assessing systemic health risks and delivering individualized care. By providing a clear, on-demand certification pathway, the Spear-Kwikly program gives hygienists the tools to practice at the top of their license, enhancing their professional satisfaction and career trajectory.

A New Blueprint for Practice Performance

For dental practice owners and managers, the daily struggle to find qualified staff often overshadows strategic goals for growth and quality improvement. This partnership directly addresses that pain point by redefining the value proposition of a temporary professional.

"Dental practices are not just trying to solve staffing gaps anymore. They are trying to build a workforce model that supports growth, quality, and patient care," explained Devin Amberg, chief revenue officer at Kwikly. "This partnership with Spear is a direct investment in that future. When a Kwikly professional walks into a practice, we want that office to know they are working with someone who is actively developing their skills and prepared to contribute from day one."

The impact on a practice's bottom line and clinical outcomes can be substantial. A hygienist trained in Spear’s methodologies is equipped to do more than clean teeth; they are prepared to identify periodontal disease with greater accuracy, communicate the need for treatment effectively, and improve case acceptance. This transforms the hygiene department from a cost center into a significant driver of practice production and patient health.

Furthermore, the emphasis on standardized protocols and team alignment within the Spear curriculum means that a Kwikly hygienist can integrate into a practice’s workflow more seamlessly. This reduces the onboarding friction and "spin-up" time that often makes practices hesitant to rely on temporary staff. By providing a pool of professionals who share a common clinical language and high standard of training, the partnership offers practices a more reliable and effective way to protect production and maintain continuity of care, even with a flexible workforce.

The Hybrid Model Shaping Healthcare's Future

This collaboration is a prime example of a larger trend: the convergence of technology-driven platforms and specialized education to create a more agile and skilled workforce. It represents a hybrid model that marries the flexibility of the gig economy with the rigor of professional development, a combination that could serve as a blueprint for other sectors of healthcare facing similar challenges.

For years, the worlds of temporary staffing and continuing education in dentistry have operated in separate silos. A practice would call a temp agency to fill a last-minute cancellation, and hygienists would independently seek out CE courses to meet licensure requirements. The Spear-Kwikly partnership breaks down that wall, creating a symbiotic relationship where staffing and upskilling are two sides of the same coin. Kwikly differentiates itself from competitors by offering not just a connection, but a quality guarantee backed by elite training. Spear, in turn, gains a new channel to disseminate its educational philosophy and reach a segment of the profession that is increasingly opting for non-traditional career paths.

This model directly addresses the modern professional's desire for flexibility without sacrificing career growth. Hygienists are no longer forced to choose between a stable, full-time role with built-in training opportunities and the freedom of flexible work. They can now have both.

As the dental industry continues to evolve with new technologies and a greater focus on the link between oral and systemic health, the need for a continuously learning workforce has never been more critical. This partnership is not merely a response to the current staffing crisis but a forward-looking strategy to build a more resilient, capable, and integrated dental care system for the future. By investing in the skills of individual hygienists, Spear and Kwikly are investing in the health of the entire industry.