Abstract
There are very rare moments in life when one gets a chance to talk completely freely with a living legend. I got this chance to have a talk with Dr Keki Mistry, myself being only a toddler in this specialty.
Dr Mistry replied that he was born on December 25, 1935, in Mumbai and is currently 83 years old. He described himself as an Indian Maharashtrian Zoroastrian Parsi.
Dr Mistry said that he brought up his kids without imposing any instructions on them and only guided them when he found necessary. “As individuals we should respect one another, we cannot impose our values on others. Everyone has their own principles and priorities.”
Dr Mistry replied that ever since he took up dentistry he was intrigued and fascinated by the field of orthodontics and the health benefits that orthodontics could offer. Even as a youngster, he was intrigued by the science of dentistry which was reinforced by observing his relative Dr Patel working at his renowned dental clinic in Mumbai. Many people discouraged him from taking up dentistry (especially after he obtained the requisite marks to enter any field of science) but he persevered with his passion. Dr Mistry further explained that in any profession what matters is one’s attitude and the pride in the work one is doing.
Dr Mistry replied that “he was a doctor, not a technician” but you could ask him what methodology he used in his treatment plan. He said in any single case he follows the biological sciences—basic anatomy, basic histology and physiology, basic knowledge of relationships, etc.
Dr Mistry went on to say that he has often heard of orthodontists speaking of loops, springs, angles, etc., and the general dentist listening to this thinks that all he has to do is master wire bending techniques and do orthodontics.
We don’t talk Orthodontics as a biological science, the background we have, the understanding we have, it is based on so many things…any formula can move a tooth, but the knowledge of how to move it?? when to move it??...and it has to be retained in place etc. is what matters and its relationship with the entire Craniofacial complex in balance and harmony.
Dr Mistry smilingly replied that his greatest contribution would have to be his 3 well-qualified and well settled children!
Then on a serious note, he went on to say that it was a matter of real pride for him that when he was president of the Indian Dental Association in 1984, he got the chance to introduce and involve the FDI and the WHO for the first time into India in a unique workshop with the IDA.
Again in 1984, with the help of the Indian Medical Council, Indian Dental Council, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, he got passed the declaration of Post in the field of dental science as Medical Posts instead of non-medical. This event vastly influenced the status of the dental profession in India, the financial remuneration of the salaried professional and the status of the administrative section (Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi, office memorandum no V12025/17/84-PMS).
Another remarkable contribution was the conceptualization of the annual Global Oral Health Day by Dr Mistry, an achievement we as Indians can all be proud of!
Dr Mistry enjoyed the distinction of being a consultant to the Indian railways, the airlines, and the Indian military medical services.
In Vienna in 1974, when Dr Mistry attended the world conference on fluorides, he realized that to be more effective he needed a public health qualification. Surprisingly, on coming out of the conference he met Dr Aubrey Sheiham, the head of Community Dentistry and Dental Practise at the University of London. Dr Mistry told him that we must be responsible for the health of patients other than those who walk through our doors and that he would like to do a Masters in Public Health but he was already into practice and he could not attend for the full year. Professor Sheiham replied that he was also aware of Dr Mistry’s contributions in the field of public health and he would go back to London and present his case before the university authorities. From London, Dr Mistry received a concession on his attendance, namely, he had to attend the first 3 months at the start of the course and the last 3 months at the end of the course. His thesis would be based on India and he would have to appear for every examination that would be held. Dr Mistry cleared his masters very successfully and also appeared for the Diploma of Dental Public Health (DDPH) examination for the Royal College of Surgeons of London which he also cleared successfully.
Dr Mistry recounted how one day in 1963 he had a meeting at the Kwality Restaurant below his clinic with Dr Ashok Modi and Dr Naishadh Parikh. Over a cup of coffee, the idea of showcasing their treated/unfinished cases by different modalities led to the formation of the idea of a study group. They took this thought to Dr H D Merchant who was then the Dean and Head of the Department of Orthodontics at Nair Hospital Dental College and Dr H S Sheikh who was the Head of Orthodontia at Government Dental College, Bombay, and thus the Bombay Orthodontic Study Group was born. A structure was formulated with a convener and co-convener with a dedicated day and place for the meeting. The first convener of the group was Dr Keki M Mistry and the co-convener was Dr V O Sanghvi. The study group was regularly attended by Dr H D Merchant, Dr Prem Prakash, Dr H S Sheikh, Dr A B Modi, Dr Naishadh Parikh, Dr Keki Mistry, Dr Alvero Henriques, Dr Veeru Patel, Dr M R Joshi from Ahmedabad, and Dr S. Joshi from Pune, whenever they were in town.
Subsequently, stalwarts such as Dr P Wadkar, Dr M K Prakash, and Dr Nikhil Vashi infused new blood and vitality to the study group, and lately Dr Prashant Dhole and Dr Shanbaug and many others have contributed to the continuity of the Bombay Study Group and made it into a very viable and enthusiastic group. Many study groups have since been established and they are a very vibrant and vital part of the orthodontic scene in India.
It was also decided that for the first 10 years, the president of the society would be among the founder members by seniority of age. The term of the president of Indian Orthodontic Society (IOS) at that time was for 2 years. Dr Mistry being the junior most in age was sixth on the list so that by the grace of destiny made him the first elected president of the IOS, the previous 5 being nominated by virtue of founder members.
If one has a goal then one must work to achieve it without any distraction. He illustrated his point with the following thought. When George Bernard Shaw, a literary giant of the 20th century, was asked to give a motivational talk to his students he said, “I do not wish to lead my life as a tiny spark of a flame rather as a blazing cauldron to be held for a while and then to be passed on as a roaring flame.” Then when one of his students asked George Bernard Shaw what he would do to change the world, he replied, “Why do you want to change the world, change yourself and there will be one less ignorant in the world.”
Dr Mistry quoted the story of Don Giovani Paganini, an Italian violinist. Paganini was called to play at a music festival at the Royal Opera House in Paris in front of a very elite audience of some of the crowned heads of Europe and the greatest music critics of that era. When his turn came to play, he stepped onto the stage tuning his violin when suddenly one string broke. Paginini went on tuning his violin when the second string broke. He calmly continued tuning when the third string broke. Paganini then held his violin aloft, moved to the center of the stage and said, “Paganini and one string” and played one of the most beautiful pieces of music that has come down to us.
The first string that broke represents our family members who one tends to blame when things go wrong. Similarly, the second string represents our friends and colleagues who might let us down in various ways. The third string represents our support system (secretary, technician, and sub-ordinate) that can also break but the final string that did not break represents our self-confidence.
Dr Mistry again illustrated his answer with the example of the millionaire Lakshmi Mittal’s father, Mohan Mittal. In 1974, Mohan wanted to build the best steel plant in Asia. He approached the best technician, the best engineer and likewise gathered a workforce of the best people in the business. The question then arose whom to choose as leader, so he hit upon a plan and decided to approach different workers to ask what they were doing. Some replied that they were mixing cement, some said that they were welding and so on and so forth until he reached a bright young spark who was building a wall and he replied, “I am engaged in building the biggest and the best steel plant in Asia.” Though he was engaged in only a small part of the project he identified with the entire project. That is how one must identify oneself.
Likewise, in orthodontics, one must identify oneself with the glory of orthodontics, what knowledge one has and how best to employ it in the total completion of one’s work. Dr Mistry went on to say when one arises in the morning one must say with conviction that what I will achieve today will be the best.
Finally, the interview concluded with Dr Mistry citing his parents favorite quote
When the mind is clear and the heart is pure, then there is no fear.
