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The Doctor

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Dr Krishna Shama Rao

About Doctor

Meet Prof. Dr. Krishna Shama Rao

Welcome to the realm of transformative craniofacial surgery, where expertise meets compassion, and innovation intersects with care. Meet the beacon of this realm, Prof. Dr. Krishna Shama Rao – a name synonymous with excellence, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the art of healing.

Qualifications

“The road to excellence and happiness run parallel to each other”

October 1999 - FRCS, Ed.UK University
July 1996 - MBBS, MAHE
January 1990 - FDSRCS, UK
January 1985 - MDS, Mangalore University
June 1980 - BDS, Mumbai University

Academic Experience

“Knowledge is like the horizon - the further you go, the more you discover”

- Professor & Director

Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Craniofacial Surgery, KS Hegde Medical Academy, Mangalore

- Professor

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore

- Associate Professor

Padmashree Hospital & Research Center, Mangalore

- Registrar

Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London

- Assistant Professor and Lecturer

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the College of Dental Surgery, KMC, Manipal

Professional Experience

“You can succeed consistently when you look and feel the way your mind visualizes the best version of yourself”

His expertise encompasses a wide range of craniofacial anomalies, including cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis, and syndromic and non-syndromic cases. Key positions include:

- Director Surgical Services and Training in Craniofacial Surgery

- Director of Clinical Research at Diponed BioIntelligence LLP

Dr. Rao has trained and accredited specialist surgeons globally and played a crucial role in appointing surgical trainees at various centers.

Experience spans over four decades
20,000 Surgeries

Associations & Certifications

“The strengths of humility, persistence, and collaboration ensure ever greater impact of one’s efforts”

Dr. Rao actively participates in numerous prestigious organizations, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to advancing craniofacial surgery:

2007-2008

2005-2006

2002-2003

President, Indian Society for Cleft Lip Palate and Craniofacial Anomalies

First Hon. Editor, Cleft Journal of Indian Society for Cleft Lip, Palate, and Craniofacial Anomalies

Advisor, WHO Panel on Global Strategies for Prevention of Cleft Lip, Palate, and Craniofacial Anomalies

Achievements

Dr. Rao’s achievements are a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication:

Pioneered Cleft Care in India

  • Established the first Smile Train Cleft Center in India (2000), performing over 1000 cleft surgeries annually
  • Founded the first Craniofacial Centre in India (2001) supported by Cleft Children International

Globally Recognized Expertise

  • Awarded the Medal of Honor in Cranio Maxillofacial Surgery – recognizing the world’s top 12 surgeons
  • International Professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School since 2003
  • Visiting Consultant Craniofacial Surgery, Brunei – Ministry of Health

Academic Excellence

 
  • Recognized as a Ph.D. guide for Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and Yennapoya University
  • Authored chapters in prestigious textbooks like “Operative Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery” and “Essentials of Maxillofacial Surgery”
  • Published numerous research papers in indexed craniofacial surgery and neurosurgical journals

Leadership and Advocacy

 
  • Founder Executive Committee Member of the Indian Society of Cleft Lip and Palate & Craniofacial Anomalies
  • National speaker at major conferences across India since 1993

This is just a glimpse of Dr. Rao’s remarkable achievements. His unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children with craniofacial deformities continues to inspire countless individuals worldwide.

Publications

Dr. Rao is a prolific author and researcher. Here’s a selection of his notable publications:
Authored Book Chapters:

-Textbook of Operative Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Second Ed and Third Ed, Langdon and Patel – Chapter on Management of Bilateral Cleft Lip
– Craniofacial Anomalies Chapters, Textbook Pediatric Dentistry, Priya Gupta and Amita Hegde
– Textbook of Global Cleft Care in Low Resource Settings by Swanson and Low, 2021 – Chapter on Pierre Robin Sequence
– Essentials of Maxillofacial Surgery, Bailey & Love, 2024 – Chapter on Bilateral Cleft Lip
– Cardio-Metabolic Diseases, edited by Dr. G H R Rao – Chapter Periodontal Disease and Occlusive Atherosclerotic Vascular Diseases (Expected publication 2024

Research Articles:

Dr. Rao has published numerous articles in prestigious indexed journals of Craniomaxillofacial Surgery and Neurosurgery. A complete list is available upon request.

International Guest Faculty

Dr. Rao’s expertise is globally recognized, with participation as a guest faculty at numerous international conferences, including:

– World Cleft Congress, Seychelles, Africa (2012)
– International Congress of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Bangalore, India (2007)
– World Cleft Congress, Eastbourne, UK (2006)
– Argentinean Plastic Surgeons Conference, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2005)
– American Society of Plastic Surgeons Conference, Philadelphia, USA (2004)

– American Society of Plastic Surgeons Conference, Philadelphia, USA (2004)
– World Cleft Congress, Munich, Germany (2002)
– World Cleft Congress, Zurich, Switzerland (2000)
– National Speaker at most Conferences across India since 1993, under the aegis of AOMSI or ISCLP & CA
– World Cleft Congress, Halifax, Canada (2004)