Harmony-Balance-Quantum Reality
Gary DeWood, DDS
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Gary earned his D.D.S. from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland in 1980, attended the University of Florida Facial Pain Center Curriculum from 1992 through 1995, and in 2004 earned a Master of Science degree at The University of Toledo College of Medicine. He left full-time private practice in 2003 to serve as clinical director at The Pankey Institute, a position he held until 2008 when he joined Frank Spear in Seattle as President of The Seattle Institute. As a founding member of Spear Education, formed by the merger of The Scottsdale Center and The Seattle Institute, he relocated to Arizona in 2009 as Executive Vice-President and served in many roles over the next 15 years. Spear Education became internationally recognized and was a leader in exceptional dental continuing education. The company was acquired by a venture capital firm which chose to eliminate Gary’s position in 2023. Today he maintains a private practice in Glendale, Arizona, Desert Sun Smiles, with his practice partner Dr. Lee Ann Brady. He teaches in numerous workshops at The Pankey Institute and lectures extensively to Study Clubs, professional organizations, and at dental meetings around the US. He is also a principal in Global Diagnosis Education, a bi-monthly online “study club” for all dentists looking to be confused at a higher level.
Gary holds or has held appointments as:
• Assistant Professor, The University of Toledo College of Medicine
• Associate Professor, The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry
• Clinical Director, The Pankey Institute
• Director of Marketing and Publications, The Pankey Institute
• President, The Seattle Institute
• Executive VP for Curriculum and Clinical Education, Spear Education
• Adjunct Clinical Professor, Arizona School of Oral and Dental Health
• Executive VP, Spear Practice Solutions
• Executive VP, Spear Education
• Director of Essentials Education, The Pankey Institute
Gary has presented to international audiences in the areas of occlusion, temporo-mandibular disorders, bite splint therapy, restorative dentistry, esthetics, financial management, and practice management.
Gary is a member of the ADA, the Arizona Dental Association, the Central Arizona Dental Society, the American Equilibration Society, the American Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics, the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, and the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain.
Gary and his wife, Dr. Cheryl DeWood, who practiced orthodontics with Dr. Brady at Desert Sun Smiles for many years, live in Cave Creek and have three children. A dental Hygienist who lives with her husband in Mesa, Arizona, a dentist who lives with her husband and daughter in Seattle, Washington, and an Opera Singer who lives in Tempe, Arizona and is a proud Crew Member at Trader Joe’s as his day job.