A life at the intersection of art, photography, medicine and education.

Prof. Dr. Akhter Husain is an artist, passionate photographer, orthodontist, educator and researcher whose work has moved between creative practice and the sciences for decades.

He is the former Dean / Principal and Administrative Director of Yenepoya Dental College, Professor Emeritus of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, and Director of the Centre for Craniofacial Anomalies at Yenepoya University, Mangalore. He is also a Diplomat of the Indian Board of Orthodontics, a past President of the Indian Orthodontic Society, and one of the founders of Yenepoya University.

His academic career includes more than 75 research publications, 84 scientific presentations and seven patents in the field of orthodontics. He has received the IOS Research Award for 2015–2016 and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

Alongside his academic and clinical work, photography has remained a significant creative pursuit. He is an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society, U.K. (ARPS), with international awards, acceptances, publications, lectures and judging experience spanning more than two decades.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in “Smile Dynamics” at Radboud University, Netherlands, and is writing a book on Medical Photography.

Prof. Dr. Akhter Husain

Photography — Laurels & Recognition

  • Associate

    Associate of the Royal Photographic Society

    Royal Photographic Society, Bath, UK

    ARPS

  • Two Awards

    Epson International Imaging Contest

    Japan

    2005 · 69,400 entries

  • Travel Photographer of the Year

    Travel Photographer of the Year

    Konica Minolta

    2004

  • Honorable Mention

    Lightly Manipulated Category

    Adobe Digital Imaging Competition

    2004

  • Honorable Mention

    Photo Illustration Category

    Adobe Digital Imaging Competition

    2004

  • III Place

    International Photo Award · Advertising Category

    IPA · Los Angeles

    2004

  • First Place

    Agfa International Photo Contest

    Agfa

    2003

  • III Commonwealth Photo Award

    Commonwealth Photo Award

    Commonwealth Foundation

    2002 · Selected from 700 photographs worldwide

  • Two Honorable Mentions

    Computer-Enhanced Category

    Great Pic Contest · Popular Photography, New York

    2000

  • National Level Recognition

    Maruti Esteem Photo Contest

    National Photography Competition

    1999

  • First Prize

    “Love Tarnished” · Concept Category

    Photography Competition

    2009

Presentations & Teaching

  • Computer Aided Photography

    Youth Photography Society, Bangalore

    1998

  • Clinical Photography

    III All India Post Graduate Convention, Davangere

    1998

  • Clinical Photography

    Coimbatore Orthodontic Study Group

    1999

  • Clinical Photography

    4th Goa State Dental Conference

    2001

  • Digital Photography

    All India Orthodontic Conference, Mysore

    2001

  • Dental Photography

    6th IOS PG Student Convention, Mysore

    2002

  • Photography in Clinical Practice and Digital Applications

    I National Conference of IAP CMEG, Father Muller Medical College

    2002

  • Photography in Orthodontics and Craniofacial Anomalies

    KMC, Manipal

    2003

  • Facial Esthetics — What Lies Beneath

    Coimbatore

    2003

  • General Photography

    Alumni Reunion, Manipal

    2004

  • Documentation Photography in Surgical Practice

    Association of Surgeons of India, S.K. Branch

    2004

  • Patient Photography

    Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India, Dharwad

    2004

  • Intra Oral Photography

    All India Orthodontic Convention, Davangere

    2004

  • Course in Digital Photography

    Mumbai

    2005

  • Course in Digital Photography

    Meerut

    2005

  • Course in Digital Photography

    Chandigarh

    2005

Publications

  • Multiple Exposures

    Asian Photography

    July 1998

  • Quest for Excellence

    Asian Photography

    September 1998

  • Biomedical Photography

    Asian Photography

    January 2004

Academic & Professional Distinctions

Qualifications

MDS · FDSRCPS (Glasg) · ARPS

Academic Recognition

IOS Research Award · 2015–2016
Lifetime Achievement Award · 2019

Research

75+ research publications · 84 scientific presentations · 7 orthodontic patents

Current Work

Ph.D. research in “Smile Dynamics” at Radboud University, Netherlands
Writing a book on Medical Photography

Art & Photography

Photography has been a sustained creative practice throughout Dr. Husain’s professional life — from nature and travel photography to clinical, documentary, digital and conceptual work. His images have received international recognition, appeared in publications and on national television, and formed the basis of lectures and courses for professional audiences.

Dr. Akhter Husain

Dr. Akhter's journey with art began as soon as he could hold a pencil, with creativity becoming an innate, unstoppable force in his life. Despite a distinguished career in orthodontics, teaching, and research spanning over three decades, his passion for artistic expression has never waned. For Dr. Akhter, art is both a calling and a way of life, complementing his professional work in crafting beautiful smiles and correcting facial anomalies.

Working from the comfort of his home, Dr. Akhter combines photography, digital technology, and traditional paints, experimenting and refining his techniques in an ongoing cycle. This synthesis often leads to unexpected surprises and innovative expressions, revealing new and unique perspectives that enrich his art. Through his work, he invites viewers to see the world with fresh eyes, challenging conventional perceptions and exploring the boundless possibilities of artistic expression.