Specialist Dr. Yaprak Kalkan, the founder of Smile Academy, was born in Istanbul in 1988. She graduated from Kadıköy Anadolu High School in 2006 and from the Faculty of Dentistry at Marmara University in 2011. She began her PhD in the Department of Periodontology at the same university. As part of her doctoral research on diabetic patients, she conducted experiments at the University of Turku in Finland.

After gaining experience at prestigious healthcare institutions such as Maslak Acıbadem Hospital, known for its corporate and VIP services, she decided to take her career to the next level by establishing her own clinic — thus, the foundation of Smile Academy was laid.

She has authored numerous national and international scientific publications and presentations. She has held leadership roles in major professional events, including the 101st FDI World Dental Congress. In 2019, she served as Deputy Secretary General of the 25th International TDB Congress.

Dr. Kalkan has been an active member of the Istanbul Chamber of Dentists, having served on the Community Oral and Dental Health Commission (2012–2016), the Young Dentists Commission (2016–2020), and since 2018, as a Delegate to the General Assembly of the Turkish Dental Association.