A tribute to Dr Aruna Mehta on her birthday today (10th March) by one of her outstanding students Dr. Shankar Iyer (USA). (Photo: Dr Saloni Mehta Mistry)
Dr Aruna Mehta completed her BDS and postgraduation in Prosthodontics from the prestigious Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai. She had a long academic career of 53 years where she climbed the ladder to Head the department in GDC & H Mumbai and Nagpur and D Y Patil Dental College, Navi Mumbai. An astute academician, she was indeed a doyen of prosthodontics, who guided countless students throughout her tenure. She defined human relationships through her actions, care and love and touched many lives. A tribute to Dr Aruna Mehta on her birthday today (10th March) by one of her outstanding PG students Dr Shankar Iyer (USA).
Every graduate student needs to be inspired to accomplish his or her career goals. To make this dream come true all of us require not just an interim mentor for the program but a lifelong coach.
With her first batch of PG students -Dr Shankar Iyer & Dr Shailendra Singh
Dr Shankar Iyer with his guide and mentor Dr Aruna Mehta
An astute academician
With daughter Dr Saloni Mehta Mistry Prof, PG Guide & Head, Dept of Prosthodontics at Y.M.T Dental College, Navi Mumbai, and grand daughter Sanayaa
Lifetime achievement award by Indian Dental Association
Dr Aruna Mehta Research Scholarship Award
The following will highlight what Professor Dr Mrs Aruna Mehta meant to all of us.
As Lucia Traynor says it well “A mediocre mentor tells, a good mentor explains, a superior mentor demonstrates and the greatest mentor inspires” Dr Aruna Mehta personified the ultimate mentorship. The hallmark of any Academic hierarchy is to achieve the status of a Post Graduate Guide. This position marks the culmination of years of devotion, inquiry, instructions and determination. Dr Mehta’s legacy has left a trail of stalwarts in prosthodontics that is unparalleled in the field restorative dentistry. The following tribute attempts to scratch the surface of the giant’s accomplishments and characteristics found only in the rarest of academicians.
A graduate from GDC, class of 1968, “Mehta Madam” as she was fondly called embarked upon a career in teaching at the same college where she served as tutor and instructor for several years. Her passion for Prosthetic dentistry earned her a seat in the Post Graduate Program at GDC Mumbai one of the country’s top PG programs. Dr Mehta was tutored under the doyens of the erstwhile Prosthodontists of GDC - Drs. Udani, Barua, Master and a whole litany of talented professors. Mehta madam’s zeal to teach was reflected not just in prosthodontics, but also for lessons in life. She moulded every undergrad student, who took her classes, to further themselves and to challenge their future and become successful in their career. Her reputation as a teacher was recognized not just in the field of prosthodontics, but by every specialist who graduated from GDC from all other departments. She was known for her sparkling smile and charming countenance. One always associated her with reliance and as a confidant. You could run to her with your troubles and she went out of her way to find solutions – she made your problem as hers and never stopped till you were relieved.
In recognition of Dr Mehta’s selfless work and how she had influenced me, this is a small token of appreciation in the form of a research award has been planned to benefit enthusiastic scholars who wish to advance the field of pros through the research. Having been a beneficiary of madams’ benevolence. I hope to keep her legacy alive and remembered.
Written by: Dr Shankar Iyer
Dr Shankar Iyer completed his Master of Dental Surgery in Prosthodontics from the Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai in 1990 under the guidance of Dr Aruna Mehta, after which he attended the New York University College of Dentistry where he received his DDS in 1994. After being in private practice for four years, Dr Iyer went on to pursue a certificate program in Prosthodontics in NYU. He taught in the Department of Post Graduate Prosthodontics at NYU after his graduation in 2002. Since 2009 he has been teaching in New Jersey Dental School, UMDNJ (now known as Rutgers University School of Dental Medicine) in the departments of Restorative Dentistry and Periodontics. Dr. Iyer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology, Fellow of the Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontists and Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Recently he was elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. He is the Director of the AAID Maxi courses in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and India. Dr Iyer maintains a private practice limited to Implant Dentistry and Prosthodontics in New York and New Jersey.
On January 4th 2017, the dental fraternity lost one its most celebrated implantologists , Dr. Carl E. Misch whose passion and vison was to elevate the ...
Dr U.S. Krishna Nayak, a towering presence in dentistry and especially in orthodontics, who devoted his life to advancing dental education and care in ...
Dr Nyer Firdoose Chintamani Subhan, a maxillofacial and cleft surgeon from Bengaluru has published his original work on the unique discovery of ‘coronoid ...
Dr. Soumendu Karak, OMFS practicing in Phuleshwar, West Bengal has patented his innovation “Novel Arch Bar” that offers benefits in relation to its ease...
Dr Baburao S Bagi (B.D.S, L.L.M) - a pioneer in Forensic Odontology and Medicolegal Research in India, left for his heavenly abode last week. Here is a ...
This guest editorial by Dr Sanjiv Hyoju talks about a possible connection between a diet-induced disturbance in the gut microbiome equilibrium and its ...
Dentistry, labelled as the highest-risk profession in COVID-19 times because of the aerosol spread in the clinic, has forced dental professionals to look ...
Prof. Louis Hardan, called the Father of Mobile Dental Photography, is the inventor of Smile Lite MDP (Smile Line) a device to take high-quality dental ...
Dr. Shaul Lin, DMD is a distinguished expert in Endodontics and Dental Trauma, serving as Chairman of the Endodontics and Dental Trauma Department at the ...
GENEVA, Switzerland: World Health Organization (WHO) and global partners celebrate World No Tobacco Day on May 31 every year. WHO emphasizes on a specific ...
Education
Live webinar Tue. 23 September 2025 7:30 pm IST (New Delhi)
For decades, dentistry has sought ways to regenerate enamel—the body’s hardest tissue, which does not naturally heal itself. A new study offers hope: ...
Dentists work hard to create perfect smiles for their patients. But are they also taking care of their smiles? Dentistry can be a rewarding career, but it ...
International / International
Brazil / Brasil
Canada / Canada
Latin America / Latinoamérica
USA / USA
Austria / Österreich
Bosnia and Herzegovina / Босна и Херцеговина
Bulgaria / България
Croatia / Hrvatska
Czech Republic & Slovakia / Česká republika & Slovensko
France / France
Germany / Deutschland
Greece / ΕΛΛΑΔΑ
Hungary / Hungary
Italy / Italia
Netherlands / Nederland
Nordic / Nordic
Poland / Polska
Portugal / Portugal
Romania & Moldova / România & Moldova
Slovenia / Slovenija
Serbia & Montenegro / Србија и Црна Гора
Spain / España
Switzerland / Schweiz
Turkey / Türkiye
UK & Ireland / UK & Ireland
China / 中国
Pakistan / Pākistān
Vietnam / Việt Nam
ASEAN / ASEAN
Israel / מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל
Algeria, Morocco & Tunisia / الجزائر والمغرب وتونس
Middle East / Middle East
Prof. Dr. Rodrigo Reis DDS, MSC, PhD.Register now1CELive webinar
Dr. Edoardo Fossati DDSRegister now1CELive webinar
Dr. Sameer JainRegister now1CELive webinar
Dr. Stephen T. ChenRegister now1CE:sharpen(level=0):output(format=png)/up/dt/2022/05/osstem_logo.png "Osstem Implant")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/US-H1B-wage-based-work-permi.jpg "Why the new US H1B wage-based work permit is a game-changer for international dentists")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/08/enamel-regeneration.jpg "Breakthrough: Keratin toothpaste can make enamel regeneration possible soon")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/08/mental-health-dentists.jpg "Rising mental health challenges in dentistry: a silent burden dentists carry")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/08/Vasa-Dentcity-Dentalkart.jpg "Vasa Denticity Ltd. acquires 51% stake in IDS Denmed Pvt. Ltd., creating India’s largest integrated dental supply network")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/08/Laxmi-dental.jpg "Laxmi Dental to acquire majority stake in AI Dent, to expand AI capabilities in digital dentistry")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/07/3dprinting.jpg "3D printing")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/07/aligners.jpg "aligners")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2022/05/osstem_logo.png "Osstem Implant"){kind=logo}
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2011/11/ITI-LOGO.png "ITI International Team for Implantology"){kind=logo}
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/08/AMD-Lasers-Logo-500-px-removebg-preview-1.png "AMD Lasers"){kind=logo}
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2024/01/ClearCorrect_Logo_Grey_01-2024.png "ClearCorrect"){kind=logo}
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/05/UnionTech_LOGO.png "UnionTech"){kind=logo}
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2014/02/EMS.png "EMS")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/358659/1.jpg "DT South Asia No. 3, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/357919/1.jpg "DT South Asia No. 2, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/357405/1.jpg "DT South Asia No. 1, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/357205/1.jpg "DT South Asia No. 6, 2024")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/348833/1.jpg "DT South Asia No. 5, 2024")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/347072/1.jpg "DT South Asia No. 4, 2024")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2020/03/780-x-439-DT-6.jpg "A tribute to Prof Dr Aruna Mehta (1943 - 2019) on her birthday 10 March, by Dr Shankar Iyer (USA)")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/US-H1B-wage-based-work-permi.jpg "Why the new US H1B wage-based work permit is a game-changer for international dentists")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/wp-content/themes/dt/images/dt-user.gif "Dental Tribune India")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2020/03/IMG_4306.jpg "With her first batch of PG students -Dr Shankar Iyer & Dr Shailendra Singh")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2020/03/IMG_4305.jpg "Dr Shankar Iyer with his guide and mentor Dr Aruna Mehta")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2020/03/IMG_4309.jpg "An astute academician")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2020/03/IMG_4310.jpg "With daughter Dr Saloni Mehta Mistry Prof, PG Guide & Head, Dept of Prosthodontics at Y.M.T Dental College, Navi Mumbai, and grand daughter Sanayaa")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2020/03/IMG_4307.jpg "Lifetime achievement award by Indian Dental Association")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2020/03/IMG-20200309-WA0119.jpg "Dr Aruna Mehta Research Scholarship Award")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/dt/2020/03/IMG_4306.jpg "With her first batch of PG students -Dr Shankar Iyer & Dr Shailendra Singh")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/dt/2020/03/IMG_4305.jpg "Dr Shankar Iyer with his guide and mentor Dr Aruna Mehta")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/dt/2020/03/IMG_4309.jpg "An astute academician")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/dt/2020/03/IMG_4310.jpg "With daughter Dr Saloni Mehta Mistry Prof, PG Guide & Head, Dept of Prosthodontics at Y.M.T Dental College, Navi Mumbai, and grand daughter Sanayaa")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/dt/2020/03/IMG_4307.jpg "Lifetime achievement award by Indian Dental Association")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=jpeg)/up/dt/2020/03/IMG-20200309-WA0119.jpg "Dr Aruna Mehta Research Scholarship Award")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2017/03/5546fa8b2a7810c7c427952ea7a93d8a.jpg "Dental fraternity bids adieu to Dr. Carl E. Misch (1947-2017)")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2024/12/Dr.-Krishna-Nayak.jpg "Mourning a luminary: dental fraternity pays tribute to Dr Krishna Nayak")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2019/08/780-x-439-DT-4.jpg "Discovery of 'Coronoid Foramen' by a Bengaluru surgeon Dr Nyer Firdoose could explain pain after LA")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2022/01/DTSA-Featured-Image-7.jpg)
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2020/06/780-x-439-DT-55.jpg "A tribute to Dr B S Bagi: A pioneer in forensic odontology & medicolegal research in India")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2020/07/780-x-439-DT.jpg "COVID-19 is a disease of human progress- Guest editorial by Dr Sanjiv Hyoju")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2020/05/780-x-439-DT-30.jpg "How to use Ultraviolet light (UVC) to fight COVID-19 effectively in dental clinics: Dr Ajay Bajaj")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2022/02/DTSA-Featured-Image-15.jpg "Interview with Prof. Louis Hardan, inventor of Smile Lite MDP:")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2024/12/Dr.-Lin-Shaul-interview.jpg "Interview: “My mentor taught me how to ask the right questions”— Dr. Shaul Lin, DMD")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2019/06/World-No-Tobacco-day.jpg "FDI highlights role of dental practitioners on World No Tobacco Day, 2019")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/09/US-H1B-wage-based-work-permi.jpg "Why the new US H1B wage-based work permit is a game-changer for international dentists")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/08/enamel-regeneration.jpg "Breakthrough: Keratin toothpaste can make enamel regeneration possible soon")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/2025/08/mental-health-dentists.jpg "Rising mental health challenges in dentistry: a silent burden dentists carry")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/357919/1.jpg "DT South Asia No. 2, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/357405/1.jpg "DT South Asia No. 1, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/357205/1.jpg "DT South Asia No. 6, 2024")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/348833/1.jpg "DT South Asia No. 5, 2024")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/347072/1.jpg "DT South Asia No. 4, 2024")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/358659/1.jpg "DT South Asia No. 3, 2025")
:sharpen(level=0):output(format=webp)/up/dt/e-papers/358659/2.jpg "ISSUE")
To post a reply please login or register