Our story
A century of care, passed from one generation to the next
Since 1924, the Fernandes family has cared for Chennai’s smiles with skill, integrity and an unwavering belief in treatment that is truly needed.
1924 – 2024
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1924
The practice opens
Dr. Joseph Fernandes opens a practice at 10 Broadway, George Town.
1928
The first partnership
Dr. Harry Fernandes joins his brother in the first partnership of Fernandes & Fernandes, Dental Surgeons.
1940
Lena Fernandes takes ownership
Lena Fernandes takes ownership of the practice when her husband Dr. Joseph passes away.
1946
A new home in Vepery
Dr. Harry Fernandes continues to run the practice, managed by Lena Fernandes.
The clinic is relocated to its current location at 101 Perambur Barracks Road, Vepery. 1947
Dr. Frank Fernandes graduates
Dr. Frank Fernandes graduates from the prestigious Nair Institute.
He was one of only 16 candidates who qualified between 1941 & 1954. 1948
Dr. Frank joins the practice
Dr. Frank takes his late father’s place at Fernandes & Fernandes, alongside his uncle Dr. Harry.
1950
The 8th registered dentist
Dr. Frank Fernandes registers with the Dental Council, becoming the 8th registered dentist.
DCI Reg. No:8 
Dental Council of India was formed 1965
Dr. Frank takes over the practice
Dr. Harry passes away aged 63, leaving Dr. Frank as the sole practitioner for the next 18 years.
1983
Dr. Deepak Fernandes graduates
Dr. Deepak Fernandes graduates from the Government Dental College.
DCI Reg. No:782 1985
The partnership restored
Dr. Deepak joins his father in the practice, restoring the partnership of ‘Fernandes & Fernandes’. Over 26 years practicing together, their service & workmanship cemented the reputation of the clinic.
2009
Longest serving dentist in the practice
Dr. Frank passes away after 62 years of service. At 83 years he was still working part time, until a few months before his passing.
At 83 years he was still working part time, until a few months before his passing. 2019
The fourth generation, Dr. Jonua
Dr. Jonua Fernandes carries the family practice into its fourth generation, joining his father Dr. Deepak in the next partnership. He specialises in Oral Implantology, adding a new vertical to the practice.
DCI Reg. No:28845 2023
Dr. Vaishnavi Reddy joins
Dr. Vaishnavi Reddy joins her husband in the practice as a specialist in Endodontics & Restorative Dentistry.
She is the first woman doctor at Fernandes & Fernandes. 2024
Legacy of Dr. Deepak
Dr. Deepak passes away in the clinic’s 100th year. At just 64 years, he leaves behind a legacy of 40 years in the practice.
In loving memory of our father & forefathers, we continue to offer dedicated dental service, in the hope that we can do so for generations to come.
Generations
Four generations of dentists
Dr. Joseph Fernandes opened the practice in 1924, and each generation of our family since has carried it forward.
1st Generation
Dr. Joseph Fernandes
Founder
Dr. Joseph Fernandes did his dental training in his early 20s by working as an apprentice under a British general surgeon. Back then, there were no dental colleges with formal dental training in India. He started working in his hometown, Mangalore, but soon set his eyes on Chennai to start up his own practice. In 1924, he moved to Chennai and opened up a dental clinic at No. 10 Broadway, George Town. Being one of the very few people who practised dentistry in Chennai at that time, he was very well known and respected in the city. Sadly, he passed away at the young age of 48. Through his life, he mentored and trained a number of his peers, one of whom was his brother, Dr. Harold Fernandes, who later joined him to form the partnership of ‘Fernandes & Fernandes, Dental Surgeons’.
1st Generation
Dr. Harold Fernandes
Founding Partner
Dr. Harold Fernandes was the younger brother of Dr. Joseph Fernandes. Following in his brother’s footsteps, he began his dental training by working as an apprentice at Fr. Muller’s Hospital, Mangalore. He joined his brother as a partner in the clinic in the year 1928. Through his years of practice, he worked with his brother to make the name ‘Fernandes & Fernandes, Dental Surgeons’ the most reputed and well-known dental clinic in Chennai. In the latter stage of his life, he was joined by his nephew, Dr. Frank Fernandes. Dr. Harold Fernandes worked for many years until his passing in the year 1965.
2nd Generation
Dr. Frank Fernandes, LDSc
Dr. Frank Fernandes did his dental training at Nair Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai. He graduated with the degree of ‘Licentiate in Dental Science’ in the year 1947. He was one of 16 candidates who qualified for this degree in the eight examinations conducted from December 1941 to December 1954. In the year 1948, soon after he graduated, the Dental Council of India was started. He registered his degree with the Dental Council in the year 1950, becoming the 8th registered dentist (Reg. No. 8). Through his years of practice, he earned enormous love and respect from his patients for his workmanship and his quick wit and humour. Even to this day, some of our older patients recall the time when they were treated by Dr. Frank Fernandes. He served at our clinic for 62 years until his passing in 2009.
3rd Generation
Dr. Deepak Fernandes, BDS
Dr. Deepak Fernandes completed his dental training at the Government Dental College (GDC), Chennai, in the year 1983. At that time, it was still the only dental college in Tamil Nadu. He entered the practice eager to build on what his father had established. He was exceptionally skilled and gentle in his work, and his patients loved him for his honest, genuine approach to treatment. In his early days of practice, when dentists struggled to find skilled lab technicians for prosthetic work, he began doing acrylic, ceramic and metal casting work in the clinic itself.
His generation of dentists is considered to have lived through the ‘golden age of dentistry’, which saw the evolution of the field into what it is today. Dr. Deepak was quick to adapt and introduced rotary endodontics early on. He was known for his painless extractions and the natural, aesthetic appearance of his crowns and restorations. The work he did was sincere and long-lasting, and that’s what still brings his long-time patients back to the practice today.
He was still in the prime of his practice when we lost him suddenly. He was gone too soon, and we now carry on in his memory.
Your smile, thoughtfully cared for