Dr Bülent Manav
Dr Bülent Manav is a distinguished leader in postgraduate dental education, with over 35 years of experience in publishing, training, and professional development. As the founder of Vestiyer Publishing Group, VESTA Academy, and Knightsbridge Academy, he has been instrumental in shaping high-quality dental education, offering specialised training in implantology, aesthetics, cadaver dissection, and ORE preparation for international dentists.
My Story
1987
Graduated from Haydarpaşa Lisesi, Istanbul.
1987
Enrolled in Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry.
1989
Founded Vestiyer Publishing Group (VPG), a leading dental publishing house in Istanbul. Launched Dişhekimliği Dergisi (Magazine of Dentistry), which remains in publication today. Over the years, VPG has expanded to publish a comprehensive range of dental industry-specific journals, including Journal of Dentistry, The Turkish Journal of Dentistry, Dental Tribune, Implants, Dental Labor, Roots, Cosmetic, Today, and PNV. For more information: vyg.com.tr
2002
Established GREATIST International Dental Meetings, one of the largest dental events in Europe. GREATIST serves as a premier platform for dental professionals, fostering knowledge exchange, networking, and showcasing the latest innovations in dentistry. The event provides exhibitors and sponsors with a unique opportunity to connect with dental professionals face-to-face and promote their products effectively. Held annually in Istanbul every October, GREATIST continues to grow in scale and influence. For more information: greatist.pro
2005
Founded VESTA Academy, Turkey’s leading postgraduate education provider in dentistry. VESTA offers a diverse range of training programmes for dentists and their teams, delivering hundreds of seminars and conferences to thousands of participants from Turkey and around the world. Dedicated to advancing dental education, VESTA operates with the mission: "Better dentistry and medicine through lifelong postgraduate education." For more information: drvesta.com
2007
Graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry.
2008
Pioneered Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Courses for Turkish dentists in the UK, organising the first-ever training in Reading, UK. The course was attended by 18 dentists from Turkey and ignited a nationwide debate among dentists, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons regarding Botox administration in dental practice. Today, Botox training is widely accepted in Turkey, with VESTA Academy remaining at the forefront of education in this field.
2009
Launched the first fresh human cadaver dissection courses for Turkish dentists at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria—an unprecedented training opportunity at the time. Following the success of these courses, the Turkish Government amended its regulations, allowing the importation of human cadavers for medical training. In 2014, VESTA & Knightsbridge Academy began organising cadaver dissection courses in Turkey, catering to both Turkish and international dentists.
2010
Established Knightsbridge Academy in the United Kingdom, a global provider of professional postgraduate dental and medical training. Knightsbridge Academy delivers world-class education to dental and medical professionals worldwide. For more information: kbac.uk
2019
Launched the UK Dental Career Programme, designed to support international dentists in pursuing professional careers in the United Kingdom. This comprehensive programme provides guidance on the necessary steps, including licensing examinations, registration processes, and integration into the UK dental workforce. The initiative has helped many dentists transition successfully into UK dental practice, reinforcing Knightsbridge Academy’s commitment to global dental education.
2024
Introduced Pladform.net, a cutting-edge Learning Management System (LMS) designed to revolutionise dental education. Pladform.net serves as an innovative knowledge-sharing hub where renowned speakers, leading scientists, and distinguished professionals share their expertise across various disciplines of dentistry. This new-generation educational platform provides dentists with access to high-quality, on-demand learning resources, fostering continuous professional development in a flexible and interactive digital environment.