Prakash Narain was born on 25 June 1930 near Lucknow, India. He grew up in a large and loving family who supported him when he developed his interest in all things musical. He gave several singing performances for All-India Radio, and was an accomplished player of the harmonium and tabla.

Colleagues described him as warm and charming, innately kind with a wonderful sense of humour.

He graduated from the School of Dentistry attached to Lucknow Medical College in 1954, emigrating to the UK a year later. After completing his postgraduate studies at Guy's in 1958 he joined a group practice in London. By the time he retired in 1980, he had three thriving practices in and around the capital and had been awarded with a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Health. He was much missed by patients and colleagues alike, who described him as warm and charming, innately kind with a wonderful sense of humour.

Following his retirement, Prakash was able to indulge his passion for music, particularly Indian classical, and travelled to India several times each year to visit his family. He also volunteered his services to the BDA Museum for almost 20 years, proudly showing visitors around, sharing his extensive knowledge of dental history and mending and preparing objects for display. He was presented with Life Membership of the BDA on 5 November 1994 in recognition of his work.

Prakash Narain died in Lucknow on 25 February 2005 aged 74. He was an incomparable husband to Jean, father to daughters Neelam and Anita and grandfather to Stephanie and Nicole.