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22 exoBLOG DENTAL TECHNOLOGY, JANUARY-MARCH 2025

THE HELPING HAND OF WEBVIEW

Precision Dental Studio Ltd. founder Rahul Kakodkar has traveled to 43 countries to learn more about digital dentistry.
Both an educator and a student, Rahul reflects on how exocad software has improved the lives of patients and dental
labs in India. He shares his favorite tools for improving communication and meeting expectations, like exocad’s webview
and the Smile Creator Module.

Q: What role did exocad play in your career?
A: I’ve been associated with exocad since day one in India and have con-
tributed ideas to improve the software. exocad’s tools, like the webview,
have transformed the lab-clinic-patient communication, making workflows
more predictable and efficient.

Q: How do you approach education in dentistry?
A: I’ve been conducting interactive training sessions for dentists and tech-
nicians, focusing on smile design and implants. My goal is to improve syn-
ergy between labs and clinics by teaching them how to utilize the software
effectively and improve the communication.

Q: What challenges exist in lab-clinic communication?
A: Clinicians are often unaware of the challenges the lab tech faces and
what the software can provide. Miscommunication often leads to unpre-
dictable outcomes. Tools like exocad’s webview help clinics and labs share then start up their own businesses. So, many of them have not undergone
files and designs, ensuring that both parties understand the patient’s needs. the FDA certification process, but I think they should and customers should
This transparency has improved workflows and patient satisfaction. look for those who are FDA-certified. This would help with anti-piracy. I
Previously, we used to do a job and send it to the clinic in a box. Suddenly, think when people use pirated software they need to be prosecuted so that
the clinician opens it, and it’s a letdown because he doesn't know what is it creates a concern among the labs who are not using authentic software.
coming, right? With webview, he knows what is coming. Authentic software is crucial. It protects patients.

Q: How has the digital workflow impacted patient care? Q: Is your FDA certification a selling point for your clients?
A: Digital tools empower patients by visualizing outcomes through Smile A: We tend to work with those who want top-tier restorations. We charge
Creator features like the Smile Window. It enhances their understanding for doing quality work with quality products. Our certification shows that
and trust in treatments. Patients are smart. They often know what they we are a legitimate business using authentic software that is safe for
want and have seen various options on social media. When labs are able to patients. Clients who value that level of assurance choose to work with us.
better understand and visualize the patient’s expectations—through sub-
mitted photos (e.g.,“I want to look like Halle Berry”) or more direct com- Q: What was your experience like teaching at exocad's India
munication—they can make more informed efforts to meet those expecta- Roadshow 2024?
tions. When we just shoot in the dark and assume that it's going to hit the A: It was great to break the ice and get people on board with digital den-
target, we can fail. That's the most challenging part of any lab work and tistry. The hands-on education we provided with colleagues like Dr. Shiva
why many labs are suffering. Again, that’s why I see exocad’s webview as Shankar and the founders of the Digital Dental Forum (DDF), Dr. Burzin
being so helpful. We can show everything to the patient beforehand and Khan and Danesh Vazifdar showed what is happening in mainstream den-
that helps them agree to the treatment and be happy with the results. tistry and helped get many further down the road in their digital dentistry
journey.
Q: How have the lives of lab techs and dentists changed with I play golf typically four to five times weekly. I used to be an avid Harley
digital workflows? rider, travelling across the country on weekends. Now, I’ve also taken up
A: In India, it's a challenge to keep the patients happy. Now, since we use trap shooting and plan to compete. These sports help me focus and control
digital workflows, we are freer in our lives. Before digital workflows, we my mind, offering balance beyond dentistry.
used to sit in the lab late into the night. We had no time barrier. Now, our
work is more predictable and easier. Q: If exocad were an animal, what would it be?
A: A dolphin. Dolphins are smart, adaptable, and bring happiness—quali-
Q: How do you see younger professionals adapting to ties that reflect exocad's impact. The software is intelligent and transforma-
technology? tive, making our lives easier and more creative, while fostering a sense of
A: My wife and I have been working together for years. After COVID, my community and joy.
son, a pro golfer, decided to try out the business because there were no golf
tournaments for two years. We started a small aligner company for him, Rahul Kakodkar completed his pharmacy Diploma in 1990 from Mumbai
and he quickly got into the design part of it. Now he handles our CAD University. He completed a course in dental technology from the government
department very efficiently. Dental College Mumbai in 1992. In 1996, he started a state-of-the-art dental
The younger generations understand this technology very laboratory named “Precision Dental Studio Ltd.” Rahul Kakodkar is the man-
quickly. I find them more adaptive than me—the ease and com- aging director for Precision Dental Studio Ltd., and consults and trains for
fort with which they learn these tools is impressive. And, while major dental companies. He has completed all the modules on Occlusion with
I still enjoy traditional methods like hand waxing, I can see Dr. Dawson in the Unites States.
how digital tools are essential for scalability.
Caitlan Reeg
Q: How do you address piracy and promote the use of authen- Writer at exocad
tic software in dental labs? Caitlan Reeg spends her days telling the world about the innovations her col-
A: We are now an FDA-certified lab, which means we have gone through leagues create. She’s passionate about healthcare, technology, and the ways the
certification to show that we use only legitimate software and have a qual- two interact to improve our lives. A former journalist, Caitlan has worked on
ified technician. I would say maybe 90 percent of labs here in India are not staff at Dow Jones Newswires in Frankfurt and at the national public radio
run by officially qualified dental technicians. People learn the trade and program Marketplace in Los Angeles.