Renowned oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr Sanjiv C Nair passes away at 63
Bengaluru: Renowned oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr Sanjiv C Nair, former head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, passed away on Saturday at the age of 63.
Born on November 21, 1963, Dr Nair graduated from Trivandrum Medical College, Kerala, in 1987 and completed his postgraduate training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the same institution in 1990, earning a distinction. He later underwent advanced surgical training in the United Kingdom, including at North Manchester General Hospital, and obtained a Fellowship from the Faculty of Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Also Read:Eminent Pune Cardiologist Dr Shirish Hiremath passes away at 75
During his distinguished career, Dr Nair developed expertise in several specialised areas, including head and neck oncology, ablative and reconstructive surgery, vascular anomalies, salivary gland surgery and aesthetic facial procedures.
Prof Nair served as professor and head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Bangalore Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, as well as lead clinician in maxillofacial surgery at Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Hospital in Bengaluru. His work helped develop specialist surgical services and advanced training opportunities, contributing to the growth of the specialty and shaping the careers of numerous surgeons in India and internationally.
Beyond his clinical practice, Dr Nair made substantial contributions to academic research and medical education. A prolific author and researcher, he contributed to scientific journals, textbooks and specialised educational resources. His particular interest in vascular anomalies resulted in significant academic work aimed at improving the understanding and management of these complex conditions.
Among his notable editorial contributions was Management of Head and Neck Vascular Lesions: A Guide for Surgeons, published by Springer in 2022 and co-edited with Dr Srinivasa R. Chandra. He also contributed as a guest editor to the February 2024 issue of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America, dedicated to molecular, therapeutic and surgical advances in head and neck vascular anomalies. Prof Nair also served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, reflecting his commitment to scientific communication and advancing the speciality through research and education, reports DT.
A distinguished figure in the international oral and maxillofacial surgery community, Prof Nair served as president of the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS) from 2024 to 2025. During his tenure, he led the organisation through its International Conference on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ICOMS) 2025 in Singapore, the largest congress in the association's history. He also served as president of the Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India (AOMSI).
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the profession, Dr Nair was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Karnataka Chapter of the Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India this year, reports the Daily.
His cremation was scheduled for 4 pm on Monday at Harischandran Ghat Crematorium in Bengaluru, reports Deccan Herald.
In a tribute shared on Facebook, IAOMS expressed profound sadness over Dr Nair's passing, remembering him for his surgical skills, generosity, wit and warmth. The organisation also highlighted his commitment to international collaboration, surgical education and professional mentorship.
The association extended its condolences to his wife, sons, friends and colleagues in India and across the global oral and maxillofacial surgery community, adding that his legacy would live on through the surgeons he mentored and the profession he helped shape.
Also Read:Dr Seshagiri Rao Mallampati, Pioneer of Mallampati Score, Passes Away at 85
