In this deeply moving episode of EZ Conversations, Furkhan sits down with Dr. Parul Dua Makkar—dentist, speaker, grief coach, and author—to explore how personal tragedy can become a mission of healing and advocacy. After losing her younger brother, Dr. Manu Dua, to oral cancer at just 34 years old, Dr. Makkar transformed unimaginable grief into purpose.

Together, they discuss the critical importance of oral cancer awareness, early detection, oral-systemic Health, Burnout prevention in healthcare professionals, and the emotional resilience needed to navigate devastating loss. Dr. Makkar also shares practical oral health strategies, self-screening methods, and how grief can either break us or become the catalyst for meaningful change.

This episode is a powerful reminder that adversity can be transformed into advocacy, and that compassion—for ourselves and others—can shape both healing and Legacy.

Dr. Parul Dua Makkar is a dentist, speaker, author, grief coach, and mentor dedicated to helping healthcare professionals lead with both clinical excellence and emotional resilience. After the devastating loss of her younger brother, Dr. Manu Dua, to oral cancer, she transformed personal tragedy into a mission of advocacy, Education, and compassionate care.

Through her platform, Dua Good Job, Dr. Makkar educates clinicians on the importance of early oral cancer detection while mentoring healthcare providers in navigating grief, preventing burnout, and sustaining patient-centred leadership. She is the author of Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua’s Survival Guide, Stories of Friends and Family Lost, and the Legacy Journal, all of which reflect her commitment to helping others transform adversity into healing and purpose.

Dr. Makkar’s work bridges the worlds of dentistry, emotional wellness, and healthcare leadership—empowering professionals to care for both their patients and themselves with greater awareness, resilience, and compassion.

00:00 Welcome and Intro
00:45 Personal Loss and Mission
01:32 Why Oral Health Matters
04:24 Diet and Prevention Tips
07:20 Brushing and Flossing Basics
09:47 Tools and Proper Technique
13:50 Grinding and Jaw Health
19:31 Brother’s Oral Cancer Story
24:15 Oral Cancer Signs to Watch
24:53 Spot Early Warning Signs
26:30 Demand Timely Treatment
27:08 Where Care Fell Short
30:51 System Delays And Lessons
32:41 DIY Oral Self Screening
35:07 COVID Guilt And Loss
39:39 Legacy Through Writing
43:42 Life Interrupted Book
47:28 Choosing Strength After Grief
50:46 Final Takeaways And Links

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Disclaimer: The content shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered therapy, counselling, or clinical advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist–client relationship. The views expressed are my own and are separate from my clinical practice.

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Furkhan Dandia Therapist and Coach

I am a men's coach, therapist, group facilitator, podcaster and author. My journey began five years ago when I was going through a separation. I found myself alone and in a shame spiral that our culture and society covertly exert on people due to the perceived "failure" of a marriage. Unfortunately, I personalized that message which led me to fall deeper into a hole, causing me to surround myself with people that did not serve me and engage in substance abuse. While seeking therapy, I was not making the wholesale changes I needed.

As part of my experience with therapy, I realized that I am not alone in the challenges men my age experience (I separated at the age of 34/35). I realized I could be a voice for men like myself and offer support in this space. In the middle of the pandemic, I applied for a Master's degree in Psychology to become a therapist. This change was a significant shift for me as I worked in the corporate world as an engineer. Once I leaned into the space of supporting other men, I also started a podcast to normalize these difficult conversations and started a men's group a year later with the support of a friend.

I thought I was giving something back when I started the men's group. However, I quickly realized I was getting substantially more from the connections I built than I initially anticipated. It was also something I needed because I was going through another breakup.

At that point, I also realized that I had not taken the time to heal, and I was outsourcing my healing through romantic relationships, substances, material acquisitions and superficial relationships. I decided to step away from the outgoing lifestyle and started to focus on my healing which was another phase of evolution for me on my journey. Over the last year and a half, I have become mindful of the people I spend my time with. I have cleaned my lifestyle of substances, toxic environments and behaviours. I have focused on my sleep, my health and my knowledge. I have improved my spiritual relationship with myself, which was lacking the most over the past five years. This is the best I have felt.

As part of my solitude journey and to find myself again, I also released a book encapsulating my journey, which I hope to share with others. My book is titled: The Pursuit of Self-Love.