
Hybrid program · Dr Dario Novak
Plan and Present Esthetic Cases Before You Touch a Handpiece
Join a step-by-step hybrid experience to reduce chair time, streamline communication, and ethically present high-value cases.
Powered by Smilecloud and 3DNA
Turn every case into a masterpiece, with digital precision and predictable esthetics
This hybrid program is for dentists who want to simplify their esthetic workflow without lowering their standards.
You’ll learn how to guide patients and labs with clarity from the first photo, using Smilecloud and our custom-designed Smile Protocol™ to reduce uncertainty, align expectations, and raise the standard of your smile cases.

Why is this program different?
It’s built around The Smile Protocol™: our custom developed, digital-first workflow for composite and ceramic veneers, powered by Smilecloud 2D and 3DNA.
“What if we could design, present, and plan beautiful cases with less back-and-forth, and more clarity from day one?”
That idea has since become the backbone of how my team collaborates and how we communicate with patients. And today, it’s what I teach to clinicians who want more clarity, better collaboration, and confident case delivery, from the first photo to the final result.
What happens when you apply The Smile Protocol™?
01
Reduce patient chair time significantly
Shorten appointments with pre-visualized mockups and guided planning.
02
Align your team with visual precision
Communicate plans clearly across your entire workflow, from planning to lab coordination.
03
Upsell ethically with transparency
Show patients what’s possible, and why, using 3D previews, not hype.
04
Get patients excited before they commit
Spark early buy-in by showing the transformation before it starts.
What actually makes patients say “Yes!” more often
Most patients aren’t asking about design plans. They’re wondering: will it hurt, how long will it take, and what will it cost?
This focus makes it harder to align expectations with our ultimate goal: a beautiful, natural smile with minimal interventions.
To solve this, I tested multiple design tools over the years, but Smilecloud quickly became our go-to. It offered the freedom we needed to pre-visualize treatment options clearly, for our team and for the patient. More importantly, it supported interdisciplinary planning and included digital libraries that helped our technicians execute with precision.
The Smile Protocol™ emerged from this workflow, combining digital mockups, patient collaboration, and a clear plan from day one. Whether we use composite or ceramic veneers, the result is the same:
Patients love seeing their potential smile after just one photo. And when they can see it, they’re far more likely to say yes.


About the program
A hybrid format designed for real clinical progress
You are getting access to a complete protocol you’ll apply in your own workflow, with support every step of the way.
Inside the program, I walk you through real cases, show exactly how we plan and present esthetic treatments, and share the tools we actually use in the clinic.
You’ll get live sessions, recorded cases, and feedback so you can make steady progress without second-guessing.
Within a few weeks, most participants are already applying the protocol to real cases, noticing smoother planning and more confident patient conversations.
See The Smile Protocol in Action
The Smile Protocol composite veneers: from smile design to 3DNA blueprintPreview a few case examples from our students

Composite veneers
Composite veneer design is typically a great starting point in the 3DNA smile design process. It enables participants to visualize the aesthetics of a smile and understand how three-dimensional shapes affect its design in real time. This example comes from one of my participants from Canada who took part in the program.

A full mouth rehabilitation
Designing a full mouth rehabilitation case with crown lengthening becomes significantly easier when we have a 3D patient avatar to reference. This approach allows all team members, including the technician, to share a unified vision and ensures that the patient is actively involved in the final outcome. This way, there are no surprises.
Program Curriculum
This hybrid program is divided into two essential modules. Each builds on the last and both are required to fully apply The Smile Protocol in your daily work.
Module 1The Smile Protocol & Veneer PlanningLearn how to use Smilecloud 2D to design, present, and execute esthetic veneer cases with clarity and confidence. You’ll go from smile design principles to full digital-to-clinical execution using our custom workflow for composite and ceramic veneers.
Smilecloud essentials
▸Introduction to the Smilecloud platform
▸2D smile design and analysis
▸Use of review mode and diagnostic planning
▸Access to the Smilecloud case group
The Smile Protocol: esthetic foundation
▸Workflow for composite and ceramic veneers
▸Clinical application: from digital mock-up to final smile
▸Wax-up model creation in Smilecloud 3DNA: how to export the design
▸Real clinical case reports and video demonstrations
▸Homework tasks and feedback
▸1-on-1 case mentoring
Module 2Crown Lengthening, Tissue Management & Surgical DesignIn this module, we take things further, combining Smilecloud 3DNA with advanced tissue planning protocols to ensure long-term esthetic outcomes.
▸Full Smilecloud 3DNA segmentation workflow
▸Design and planning of virtual gingivectomy and flap procedures
▸Planning a reductive veneers case
▸Smilecloud YES importance in presenting the reductive designs
▸Pontic planning with PMMA for immediate extractions and edentulous sites
▸Designing ideal tissue embrasures
▸Surgical decision-making: flapless vs full flap crown lengthening (critical decision-making)
▸Access to clinical video library for crown lengthening cases, from design to surgery
How It Works
4-week hybrid formatWeek 101
Module 1 kick-off
90 min live session
→Smilecloud introduction and smile design workflow
→The Smile Protocol demonstration
→Smilecloud group access activated
→Homework and tutorial guidance assigned
Week 202
Module 2 kick-off
90 min live session
→3DNA segmentation and soft tissue case planning
→Clinical applications for crown lengthening and pontic design
→Shared access to surgical planning videos
Week 303
Group follow-up session
Live Q&A
→Case reviews
→Clinical examples to answer your questions
→Guidance on real patient cases
Flexible04
Individual 1-on-1 call
Booked with Dario
→Personalized support and troubleshooting for your case

What will you get from this education?
Choose Your Option
Dates for the next cohort are coming. The waitlist hears first.
Regular
Includes the full hybrid program experience
What’s included
2 x 90 minute live group sessions (Module 1 + 2)
1 x group follow-up Q&A session
4 weeks of group chat support
Homework tasks with review and feedback
Clinical case videos and protocol tutorials
VIP
Everything in Regular plus a private case review and blueprint planning. This step involves hands-on participation in case planning and the creation of a detailed blueprint for a specific case.
What’s included
1-on-1 mentoring for a specific case you need help with
2 x 90 minute live group sessions (Module 1 + 2)
1 x group follow-up Q&A session
4 weeks of group chat support
Homework tasks with review and feedback
Clinical case videos and protocol tutorials
Testimonials
What some students say
“This was a game-changer. I’ve done other courses, but this one made me actually use the workflow in my clinic right away. The protocol is practical, not just theoretical.”
Maximillian Konz
Oral surgeon and clinic owner
“For the first time, I feel confident explaining esthetic options to patients, and they understand. The 3DNA visuals made it easier for both me and my technician.”
Urška Zemljić
Prosthodontics and restorative clinician
“Honestly, I didn’t expect to implement so quickly. Just one photo, and we had a mockup ready. My patient said: ‘That’s exactly what I want.’ That’s never happened before.”
Haakon Kuit
Oral surgeon and clinic owner
“I appreciated the balance of clinical depth and practical delivery. The Smile Protocol fills a real gap in how we communicate esthetics with our teams and patients.”
Hrvoje Bračić
Clinic owner and prosthodontist

About Dario Novak
Hi, I am Dario Novak, a dentist based in Zagreb, Croatia. With over a decade of clinical experience and more than 700 Smilecloud cases, my team and I have developed a proven protocol for esthetic smile design, which always begins with just one photo.
My professional experience:
▸700+ Smilecloud cases
▸Lectured in over 10 countries and 3 continents on congresses
▸Lecturer for the Chamber of Dental Medicine in Croatia
▸Key opinion leader and international lecturer for DMG GmbH, Hamburg
▸Ambassador for Smilecloud
▸Beta tester for Smilecloud 3DNA
▸Creator of The Smile Protocol™
▸Member of ESCD
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the VIP option?
The EUR 300 VIP add-on is an individual online session where we work on your own case from start to finish. Together we will: select and prepare one clinical case; build a complete 3DNA blueprint step by step; analyse similar finished cases to explain the full decision-making process; define a clear clinical and communication protocol that you can replicate on your next patients. This is a hands-on planning session, not a lecture: you leave with a ready-to-execute blueprint.
Can my technician join the program too?
Yes, and we actually encourage that. Technicians can join the online sessions, follow the same planning steps and access the technical tutorials. This makes it easier to implement a shared language and workflow between the clinic and the lab. (Depending on how you structure it, you can decide if the technician joins under your access or needs a separate seat.)
What if I miss a live session?
Don’t worry: all the recordings along with all of the pre-recorded materials are available indefinitely in our Smilecloud program group, so you can rewatch everything any time!
Do I need to be a Smilecloud user already?
It is not necessary. The concept of this course is that everyone can easily onboard regardless of whether you have any Smilecloud experience or not. If it’s your first time you will have detailed tutorials on how to easily start with smile design and slowly progress to more advanced options. If you are already experienced we will show you detailed know-how developed through an experience of 700+ completed cases, where you will see clinical videos together with a multidisciplinary approach and dental technicians’ tips and tricks.
Will I get a certificate of completion?
Yes! After the completion of the program you will receive a diploma from Corona Dentis, Smilecloud and myself.
Can I use this program with real patients right away?
It is highly recommended that during the course duration you invite me to one of your cases for detailed feedback and guidance. That’s all included in the VIP version and usually participants use their 1-on-1 private meeting to discuss their private cases.
Can we discuss my cases during this program?
During the program you can invite me into any case you have available, for a group discussion.
How long are the videos and photos available after the program?
All of the tutorials, clinical videos and photos and Zoom recordings of our live sessions are available indefinitely. You are not allowed to download any of the materials, as stated in the GDPR and individual property agreement, but you can review them any time in future.
Can I continue working with you after the 4-week program?
Yes. After you complete the program, you can join the alumni support program. This is ideal if you want guidance while you integrate the workflow into your daily practice.
What if my technician doesn’t use Smilecloud?
That’s not a problem. The protocol is built to work in a multidisciplinary environment. We provide tutorials and recording material for technicians who work in 3Shape, Exocad and other CAD systems, so they can follow the same logic and receive the same blueprints. Your technician can learn how to translate Smilecloud planning into their own software and keep continuity with your clinical plan. If you currently don’t have a technician who is comfortable with this workflow, we can also connect you with our partner technicians who are highly experienced in Smilecloud and 3DNA planning. You arrange the fee with them individually. This can include wax-up models, composite mock-ups, tissue guides for gingivectomy, and planning and stackable guides for FP1 cases.
How much time per week do I need to follow the program?
Plan for approximately 2 to 3 hours per week for live or recorded sessions, and 1 to 2 hours per week for homework, case review and exercises. So in total, around 3 to 5 hours per week is usually enough to keep up comfortably and apply the workflow in your own cases.
Do I need prior experience with digital smile design or Smilecloud?
No. We start from the basic setup and principles and gradually move into more advanced planning (FP1, full-arch, 3DNA). If you are already experienced, you will move faster through the basics and benefit from the advanced case examples, decision trees and protocols.
Do I need a paid Smilecloud subscription before the program?
You don’t have to be an active user before the course starts. During the program we show you exactly which plan you need for your type of work, how to set it up and how to structure your cases efficiently. We also explain how to work with your technician so you don’t duplicate costs.
Is there a limit to how many cases I can bring?
During the core 4-week program, you can submit several cases for discussion, but we usually deep-dive into one or two per participant so everyone can learn from each other.
In which language is the program?
The live sessions and materials are in English. Whenever possible, we keep the language clinical, simple and practical, so it’s accessible even if English is not your first language.
Do you offer refunds?
Because our program provides immediate, full access to a comprehensive library of clinical videos and resources that you can keep forever, we do not offer refunds. We encourage you to review the program details thoroughly before joining to ensure it’s the right fit for your practice.

Plan and Present Esthetic Cases Before You Touch a Handpiece
Dates for the next cohort are coming. The waitlist hears first.
Join the waitlist