Apr 02, 2018 
Born and raised in Stockton, California, Dr. Nabeel Cajee is a dentist with an interest in advancing implant prosthetics as a clinician and educator.
He is a Clinical Dentist, Adjunct Professor & Dental Ambassador at 3DHEALS. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency at Oakland’s Highland Hospital, the San Francisco East Bay’s regional trauma center. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of the Pacific, Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco.
Dr. Cajee loves to share his passion through teaching and mentoring other dentists and dental students. He is a continuing education provider and serves on the faculty of Pacific Dugoni. He is also an Advisory Board Member of Pacific Dugoni’s Continuing Dental Education programs.
Outside of dentistry, Cajee is civically active. He recently served on the Steering Committee of Stockton, California’s Measure M, which passed with 76% of the vote last November, and is set to raise $150 million for public libraries and recreation services in Stockton. Dr. Cajee will be a speaker at the #3DHEALS2018 conference on April 20-21st, 2018.
Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?
Nabeel: I read an article about a father who made his son a 3D printed prosthetic hand. Citing the steep cost of a factory-made prosthetic, the father decided to design and print one himself. Understanding the laborious task of fabricating bespoke dental prosthetics, I thought at that moment 3D printing in dentistry could help open the doors of treatment to many in need of care.
Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey/company/career/research in 3D printing (bio-fabrication/bio-printing)?
Nabeel: Dental costs are large out-of-pocket expenses for patients. My encounters with patients who struggle to afford the dental services they need have motivated me to look to 3D printing as a solution.
Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?
Nabeel: I have a general goal for my patients — I want them to be able to bite into an apple at 100 years old.
Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?
Nabeel: The biggest challenge to the implementation of 3D printing in a dental office is cost. As dentists we shoulder the costs to bring in and implement new technologies. The high cost of equipment including 3D milling units and printers, 3D intraoral scanners, and 3D X-ray technology have been obstacles. As costs have dropped, we have seen more and more adoption.
Jenny: What were/was the worst investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-fabrication?
Nabeel: I got a great deal on a 3D printer and the manufacturer went out of business a few months later.
Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you? =)
Nabeel: ‘3DHEALS” to me means unleashing the potential of 3D technology across healthcare to better patient outcomes near, far, everywhere.
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