Remembering Dr U.S. Mohandas Nayak

Remembering Dr U.S. Mohandas Nayak

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 5, 2012: He was considered the Bheeshma Pitamaha of dentistry  who had carved his own niche and was adored and revered by thousands of his patients . His name was so popular that  he was the first person to be remembered  when anyone developed a tooth trouble. Such was the charisma of this  dentist whose name was synonymous for hard work and dedication to his noble profession. But, to know that such a personality is no more with us today indeed makes us sad.

The demise of Dr U.S. Mohandas Nayak, Mangalore’s famous dentist recently, at the age of 76  has left  his thousands of well-wishers and patients in grief. The Nayak’s Dental Clinic that he opened at Attavar in Mangalore in the early sixties and the immense popularity it enjoyed-all stand testimony to the zealous efforts put in by Dr. Nayak in building  a bond of trust and confidence with his patients.
 
“My philosophy is hard work which has no substitute for success. This is the goodwill that I am enjoying in my practice as well as with my patients and colleagues, the result of my adherence to this philosophy,” this was what Dr Nayak used to say often.

A Bachelor in Dentistry from Government Dental College, Madras University in 1959, Dr U. S. Mohandas Nayak  had served as a Dental Surgeon at Government Wenlock Hospital in Mangalore from 1960 to 1974.  He even was a Reader in Kasturba Medical College. In 1961 he became a member of Indian Dental Association, Dakshina Kannada District Branch, where he had served as the Secretary from 1963-64 and as its President between 1967-68. He later took over as the Founder Secretary of IDA, Karnataka State Branch (1973-74) and then as its President (1973-74). He was the member of IDA for nearly 30 years. Between 1993-94 he was the National President of IDA.  He had also served as  a member of Dental Council of India from 1984-91.  Dr. Nayak even represented IDA at the World Dental Congress organized by American Dental Association at Washington in 1988.

 

A good orator, Dr Nayak had also given  several talks on  Practice Management for members of different branches of IDA.  He was also  a member of Rotary Club of Mangalore for 27 years and had held various posts including President and Secretary. As part of his service initiative  he had  conducted  dental camps in association with Rotary, Lions and other service organizations.

Dr Nayak loved tennis  which he even played and  was also a great  cricket fan too. He  is  survived by his wife Indira Nayak and two sons  Prof. Dr.U. S. Krishna Nayak, Dean (Academics) at AB Shetty Institute of Dental Sciences and Dr. U. S. Deepak Nayak.

Dr Nayak had a great concern for rural patients and always felt that they should  enjoy good healthcare facilities at an affordable cost. Though he is now no more with us, his vision, his dedication and commitment to his profession and the great service he rendered will forever guide young dentists and serve as a  model to them.