Dr. Parul Dua Makkar completed her Bachelor of Science from University of Central Oklahoma in 1999, Magna Cum Laude and then obtained her Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry in 2003. She practiced in Alberta, before moving to New York. Currently she is the owner of PDM Family Dental in Long Island, 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 well-known and practicing dentist as well. Since his death, she has devoted 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.  She believes oral care is the gateway to overall well being and aims to have open conversations with her patients. I am honored to be sitting here today to bring awareness on head and neck cancer in the dental community.