In January 2021, Dr. Kiran Atwal was thriving both personally, with a supportive husband and a 3-year-old toddler, and professionally, running a successful dental practice in East Gwillimbury, Ontario. However, her life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“When you’re a practicing dentist, you have to bring your A-game both mentally and physically,” says Kiran. “When I was working, I made sure to be in bed by 9 every night, I exercised regularly and followed a vegetarian diet.” With her healthy habits and no family history of breast cancer, the diagnosis came as a shock.
Dentistry is a physically demanding job, with long hours standing or sitting in awkward positions while working on patients. But the challenges posed by cancer were even tougher on her body and her mind. Soon after her diagnosis, Dr. Atwal began the search for a part-time associate to help manage her practice while she was undergoing treatment at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto.
By March of 2021 when Kiran began chemotherapy and as treatment progressed, the side effects made it obvious she couldn't continue working. It wasn’t just the chemotherapy and a bilateral mastectomy surgery that caused pain and nausea, the neuropathy in her hands and feet, aphthous ulcers, fatigue, brain fog, instant menopause, and joint pain made continuing to practice impossible.
In 2023, after having been away from dentistry for 2 years, Kiran was fortunate to sell her practice to one of the associates she had hired when she was first diagnosed. This move was key in lessening Kiran’s stress and ensuring her patients continued to receive excellent care with minimal disruption.
Even more fortuitous was the fact that Dr. Atwal had purchased disability insurance in her fourth year as a dental student. “It’s one of those things that you’re told you should get and hope you never have to use it. But having disability coverage made all the difference in the world” says Kiran. “It took a lot of the financial stress away,” she says.
“One of the things I’m thankful for, and there are many, was that I made the time to meet with the counselling team through Princess Margaret. When you hear you have cancer, as a parent my biggest concern was for my daughter. My mother-in-law had passed away from breast cancer shortly after my wedding and I saw how devastating it was for my husband, a grown man; how would my illness affect a child so young? Counselling can help you sort out a lot! It’s not just coping with your reactions to cancer and how your life is thrown this huge wrench, there is also dealing with the emotions and reactions of your family, telling your parents, and close friends. It was nice to talk to a professional about all of these things and work together on healthy solutions.”
Forced to put down her dental tools, Dr. Atwal faced the abrupt and premature end of her professional life, which was a blow not only to her career but also to her sense of self. The daily routines, the interactions with patients, the sense of purpose—everything had changed. Initially, the loss felt insurmountable.
However, Kiran is not one to give up. She began to work with the Ontario Dental Association and volunteer, channeling her expertise and passion for dentistry into supporting the community in different ways. “Understanding my priorities was key,” she says. “While my career was incredibly important, it was just one part of who I am. By focusing on what truly mattered—helping others, sharing knowledge, and fostering connections—I found a new sense of fulfillment. It’s all about perspective and understanding your personal values.”
Your work should add meaning to your life, but it should not be the 'meaning of your life', even if it's the dream job you've always wanted.
- Jeffrey Davis
Psychology Today
“Throughout my journey I really took a step back and looked at things through a different lens. I had to redefine who I was, what I wanted to be, and how I described myself moving forward, past cancer, and into my future. It wasn’t easy but eventually I learned how to separate the idea of meaningful work from a meaningful life. I know my priorities and values and what’s important to my mental health and my family.”
Dr. Kiran Atwal with her husband and daughter, post cancer treatment.
“Throughout my journey I really took a step back and looked at things through a different lens. I had to redefine who I was, what I wanted to be, and how I described myself moving forward, past cancer, and into my future. It wasn’t easy but eventually I learned how to separate the idea of meaningful work from a meaningful life. I know my priorities and values and what’s important to my mental health and my family.”
“Part of my journey was sharing my story with other dentists,” Dr. Atwal explains. “I wrote an article for Ontario Dentist in November 2022 about my experience.”
“It’s great to be motivated and passionate about what you do, we know that being a dentist is pretty awesome” Kiran laughs, “but I had to learn that being Kiran the person and Dr. Atwal the dentist were two separate entities. Those lines get blurred sometimes, though, especially working in a profession like dentistry where we feel a responsibility to our patients and we have developed relationships over the years.“
“I’m at point in my life now that even though I miss the relationship with patients, I still feel connected to the community and other dentists. That’s why I was excited to volunteer to sit on the CDSPI Advisory Panel. It’s a way to connect with dentists from all over the country and share my insight into what clients need in the way of support.”
Kiran’s Kancer Kickbutters Krew team photo in front of Princess Margaret.
Dr. Atwal's volunteer work and fundraising with the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation soon became a cornerstone of her new identity. She also became an advocate for cancer awareness and wellness for dentists sharing her own story to inspire and educate others.
Her journey from a practicing dentist to a volunteer and mentor underscores a universal truth: that the essence of a meaningful life transcends professional titles and accomplishments.
Protect Your Future
Dr. Atwal’s story highlights the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of being prepared for unforeseen circumstances. As a dentist, your career is a significant part of your livelihood. Disability insurance is crucial to protect your income and ensure financial stability for you and your family in case you can no longer practice. Don’t wait for an unexpected event to make you realize the importance of this coverage, talk to an advisor from CDSPI Advisory Services Inc.
Dr. Kiran Atwal is currently the Component Society Outreach Program Specialist for the ODA and is a Senior Dental Consultant at Launchpad Healthcare Recruiters, a recruitment firm that specializes in the dental community. She is a member of the CDSPI Advisory Panel and is a past-president of the York Region Dental Society.