Dr. Parul Dua Makkar completed her Bachelor of Science from University of Central Oklahoma 1999, Magna Cum Laude and then DDS from University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, in 2003. She practiced in Alberta, CA before moving to NY. Here she completed a GPR training at Staten Island University Hospital, 2007 and has been in private practice since. Currently she is the owner of PDM Family Dental in Long Island, NY, a place she resides in with her husband and 2 boys. Dr. Makkar's life took a different trajectory when she lost her only and younger sibling, Dr. Manu Dua, to Oral Cancer last year. He was a Dentist as well. Since his death, she devotes her time educating doctors and patients alike about risk factors, prevention and advocating for early diagnosis of Oral cancer. She has co-authored several Dental journals, has been presenting lectures to Dentists and has been a guest at several podcasts, besides her own podcast, Life Interrupted Dr. Dua's Survival Guide podcast companion. She believes oral care is the gateway to overall well being and aims to have open conversations with her patients. She is the recipient of the Denobi Awards 2022 as well as LI Excellence in Healthcare 2022 and awarded Power Woman of Long Island. She has also co-authored of the book ‘Life Interrupted, Dr. Dua’s Survival Guide’ which is a winner of CIPA EVVY Award for Motivational/Inspirational books