Hospital-dentist believes in selfless service to the community
After his father passed away in 1987, the shop in the Indian Complex became his working quarters till 1991 when he joined the local hospital.
A Standerton dentist, retired from the Standerton Hospital, but quite ready for a private practice again, chose his words carefully before committing himself to paper.
Dr Hemant Chhotalal’s career began at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1972 after matriculating at the then Standerton Coloured and Indian School.
It is nearly impossible to believe that he failed Grade 1, went back to do it again and ended top of his class in Grade 12.
Hemant also completed a post-graduate diploma in dentistry and his advice to students following his career path, boiled down to three pillars:
Do it because you want to serve the community, not for prestige and not for financial gain.
In the troubled times of 1977 to 1981, he worked as dentist in Soweto and a 16 June 1976 incident when a brick was thrown at his car on the way to Baragwanath Hospital by protesters, fortunately only damaged the beading of the windscreen.
He married Nirmala in Lenasia, Johannesburg in 1981 and when expecting their first-born, the decision was made to return to his home-town.
To call the hospital where he worked busy, is an understatement.
“I treated between 50 to 80 patients daily at Soweto clinics and the Natalspruit Hospital, and the minute I realised I was getting frustrated with them, I knew I had to get out.”
The nitty-gritty of opening his own consultation rooms in town had to be overcome after ministerial permission was refused, and he approached the Dental Association of South Africa.
The association’s recommendations were presented to the town council and consent was finally given to practice for a year in Vry Street.
After his father passed away in 1987, the shop in the Indian Complex became his working quarters until 1999 when he joined the local hospital.
His last portfolio was as operational manager of the dental department.
A shoulder injury now prevents full-time work for the man who admitted to not being a sportsman.
“I was either left out or right out of it.”
Neither of the offspring of the Chhotalals followed their father’s profession, opting for law, computer informatics, engineering and psychology.
The eldest daughter Bavika is an attorney, daughter Sheetal boasts an honours degree in the computer field, son Amar is the electrical engineer and the youngest daughter, Sanam, now teaches in Centurion, Pretoria after an honours degree in psychology.
They are all graduates of the University of Pretoria where he completed his post-graduate diploma as well.
Hemant taught his children that challenges build character and threw in for good measure that as long as you do your best, it is good.
Religion however, remains a private matter for this committed Hindu.
“It is an issue between me and God,” he said.
He served in several capacities such as chairman, secretary, trustee and treasurer on the Standerton Hindu Society since 1991 and has been involved with the Stanwest Traders Association since 1993, not to mention his contribution to the school governing body.
