The endodontist Dr. Donghwan Kim loves technology. When he gets new software or hardware at the clinic where he works in Seoul, South Korea, he says, “it feels like a professional playground.” That enthusiasm makes Donghwan the perfect teacher for other dental professionals seeking guidance. He shares his expertise through YouTube tutorials and by fielding questions from colleagues in an exoplan-focused group chat he started on KakaoTalk, a mobile messaging app operated in Korea. Donghwan explains what advantages he sees with exoplan and offers insights into some of South Korea’s current dental trends.
Q: Tell me a little bit about what you do.
A: I have been working at the Seoul Gospel dental clinic since 2006 as an endodontic specialist. I mostly handle crowns, inlays, guided implant surgery, and custom abutments—all with a digital workflow.
Q: When did you first start using exocad software?
A: I started with exocad in 2015 when I began using a Carestream Dental intraoral scanner and milling machine. I learned how to use exocad on YouTube and started designing the inlay as soon as I received the software.
Q: What exocad software do you use and why?
A: I use DentalCAD 3.1 Rijeka and exoplan. Since I started with exocad, I’ve tried using other CAD software, but I wasn’t as happy with the results. I like the freedom I have with exocad.
Q: What do you like best about exoplan?
A: The biggest advantage of exoplan is that data is linked with DentalCAD. I also like that I can create my own library.
Q: Why are you interested in digital dental workflows and technology?
A: I’m a big fan of technology. Using digital equipment and workflows at the clinic makes my work even more enjoyable and improves productivity. It’s like a professional playground.
Q: You started a social media group to answer other dentists’ questions about exoplan. What are the most typical questions?
A: Dentists want to know how to align and use various data, and how to use exoplan in conjunction with DentalCAD. They’re also interested in a special method of positioning and fixing the guide.
Donghwan posts exocad tutorials online under his company ARTDENT
Q: How does the dental community in Korea generally prefer to be educated about new software?
A: People are very eager for education in big or small groups. Hands-on workshops and on-site training sessions are very important. People like to see full workflows, from when the patient first visits the clinic to the final results.
Q: What digital dental trends do you see in Korea right now?
A: Improving productivity is a very hot topic among dentists and lab technicians. They want to perform work faster with fewer people but maintain accuracy. Also, AI-based design and production is a key trend.
Q: Time for some get-to-know-you questions. What do you do to unwind?
A: I spend a lot of time with my family, and I like skiing and golfing. My highest score in golf is 3 over par.
Q: If you could give any advice to your younger self, what would it be?
A: Adapting to the new generation of dentistry is not an option, it’s a necessity.
Dr. Donghwan Kim is the chief dentist at Seoul Gospel dental clinic. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree and a Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) degree from the School of Dentistry, Seoul National University. Dr. Kim trained at the Dept. of Conservative Dentistry, Seoul National University Dental Hospital. He is an exocad speaker and runs advanced educational programs in digital dentistry.
by Caitlan Reeg
Writer at exocad
Caitlan Reeg spends her days telling the world about the innovations her colleagues create. She’s passionate about healthcare, technology, and the ways the two interact to improve our lives. A former journalist, Caitlan has worked on staff at Dow Jones Newswires in Frankfurt and at the national public radio program Marketplace in Los Angeles.
