Dr G B Shankwalkar was First post-graduate teacher in a country to start M.D.S. course in Periodontics at the University of Bombay. He served as 15 years as Professor of Periodontology & 6 years as Dean (Govt. Dental College & Hospital, Bombay). He obtained Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from University of Bombay in 1954. He completed Master of Science with major in Periodontology from Indiana University, USA 1958. As a postgraduate research guide, he has guided over 36 Theses towards Master's Degree in Periodontics of Bombay University. He carried out 2 research projects under Indian Council of Medical Research. He was Chief research advisor - Rotaract Club Research project on preventive dentistry (1972-75) at Govt. Dental College and Hospital, Bombay.
He was the founder president of Indian Society of Periodontology. He worked as President of Dental Council of India (DCI). He was Technical Consultant and Director at Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd., Bombay. He received International College of Dentist's Award for outstanding service to dental Science in India, First World Zoroastrian Dental Congress Award for the contribution to the cause of Dental Science and Oral Health in India and Asian Pacific Dental Federation Appreciation Award for being Advisor to 13th A.P.D. Congress. To commemorate his birthday, 1st August is celebrated as 'Oral Hygiene Day'.