Dr. E. Munirathnam Naidu, MDS

Former Vice-Chancellor of Meenakshi University is a born academician and the foundation pillar of Meenakshi Ammal dental College. After passing out BDS, from Dental Wing of Madras Medical College Chennai and MDS (Prosthodontics) from CODS Manipal. He joined as Assistant professor of Prosthodontics in Madras Dental College in 1976. He also served in eminent institutions like Arab Medical University, Libya and Annamalai University Chidambaram. He was awarded the Dr. Masilamani medal for medicine, the Governor’s gold medal in 1970 and the best teacher award from Faculty of Dentistry, Benghazi in 1986. He took up the reins as Principal of Meenakshi ammal Dental College in 1991, which proved to be the turning point for an institution which was still in its infancy. He has been the course director of over 50 CDE programs in different parts of India with a view to uplift the standard of dental education. This embodiment of humility who takes special pride in calling himself a “simple teacher” has delivered guest lectures in different parts of the country. He devised a new method called “Dr. Naidu’s technique” a new concept in crown preparation which is widely accepted by clinicians.

Dental implants have become a predictable and widely accepted treatment modality. However there has always been a mystery surrounding this treatment modality. His current mission is to simplify the practice of implantology. The practice of implantology requires a sound scientific background and should be open to every dental surgeon. This has leaded him to start the Indian Dental Education Academy (IDEA) which provides training in implantology and other aspects of dentistry to dental surgeons. The academy has provided training in implantology to hundreds of aspiring dentists. The training program is designed to include scientific rationale, hands-on sessions and clinical training to the students.

Another very important aspect in the practice of implants is the high cost of the treatment. This makes implants affordable and available only to a section of patients. This was something which was very disturbing and hence with his sound knowledge of engineering design, biomaterials and biology he has designed and developed his own implant system called “Dr. Naidu’s implants” which is expected to fit the pocket of an average Indian middle class patient.

A true visionary, he has taken dentistry and dental education and training to a different level.