I was honoured to have been listed as one of the World’s Top 100 Doctors in Dentistry - and possibly still the youngest on this prestigious list. I specialise in restorative dentistry; periodontology, implantology, and microsurgery, and am generally known for my minimally invasive approaches to soft tissue procedures.
For me, professional education is of prime importance, and we should regard our ongoing development as cyclical bouts of learning which constantly evolve, and allow us to reflect and challenge current understanding, if we are to improve and move forward.
A successful educational event or programme should be about reciprocal learning and dynamic exchange fostered between the audience and the person delivering the course. Teachers and mentors should be highly respected, but their knowledge must be infused with the belief that teaching is not confined to a rigid set of rules and is definitely not a ‘one-way street’.
I would love my implant teaching to stand the test of time and be regarded as both a gold standard and benchmark for future generations. To achieve this, it will need on-going validation by my peers, and we know that this is not always realistic, but it does ensure that the provision and content of the subject matter is pedagogically sound. I welcome people to challenge my work and protocols as this helps my growth and helps me perpetually develop new ways of delivering education.
Choosing the right course
Over the years, I have often been asked what educational programmes I would recommend for those keen to achieve a high standard of dental implant competence. This is because many dentists are inundated with educational course offers and they struggle to distinguish the best from the also-ran.
Whilst many private courses have the potential to be beneficial to attendees, the same ones can run the risk of disengagement and disappointment. Quality is inherently subjective and takes on different meanings based on individual assessments, emotions, and overall experiences. There is no one-size-fits-all. Therefore I would encourage people to start with understanding their motivations; what are their personal drivers and motivators in learning the dental discipline of implantology? Will the focus be on achieving clinical excellence or the skills to conduct a high number of cases and business growth, as this will help to ascertain the direction they wish to take. This is crucial to selecting the right course.
The next step is to look for individuals or implant organisations that offer the quality of work they admire, and which mirrors their style or aspirations. Social media platforms provide excellent insights into a number of aspects which could help inform one’s decision, including the outcomes of clinical cases, as well as the personalities of clinicians and lecturers. People should not book courses without feeling a meaningful connection with the providers, or they are likely to feel their investment has been wasted because the course has not delivered what they were looking for.
My own educational journey has been extremely meaningful. I have met with world-class experts in the field, closely collaborated with implant manufacturers, and lectured around the world. I have also made a point of regularly consulting with specialists in every aspect of the planning and implant treatment to augment my vision. My protocols have improved and evolved over time, and I am happy with my current implant offering.
Recent learnings which I have found revelatory include the important role of soft tissue in dental implant treatment to restore both function and aesthetics. It is not just about the bone. The challenge is that space for the soft tissue is limited; so if you have thick Ti-Bases, implants or crowns, you will end up with less soft tissue and could potentially lead to biological issues which jeopardise treatment results and the overall aesthetics.
For this reason, I prefer working with an implant system which has slimmer components. My implant company of choice is German company Bredent, not only for their intelligent range of products, but because I also find them to be a very agile and responsive organisation. I am trying to get better as a clinician every single day and the company supports me with this ambition. Companies need to be flexible to survive in the implant industry. They also need to keep up with the fast-moving advancements in digital technology, including photogrammetry, which are changing the whole landscape.
Bredent is also working with me to demystify the art of implant placement and make implantology more accessible to all. I am currently writing a book and creating an app to that effect which should be published later in 2025 or early next year. The aim is to simplify implant complexity and provide both beginners and advanced clinicians with improved protocols which they can draw on as they evolve and take on more challenging patient cases.
There are many books out there about dental implants, but I think (and hope) mine will bring something new to the table. My goal is to dissect implant placement into tiny details and balance the theory with practical illustrations. I believe that my unique selling point will be demonstrating how a number of different factors interact with one another, not only theoretically but also visually. For instance, too much soft tissue will affect the design of the suprastructure and implant success rate; less soft tissue will require clinicians to give biologic elements more consideration. Be sure to follow my Instagram @dr.vencistankov, where I will announce book and app release dates. But there is no rush as I want this to be a meaningful addition to the oeuvre and good things come to those who wait!
For more information visit www.adeacourses.com/event-details/implants-a-to-z-2025-all-4-modules