40 Years as a Dentist - and Still Loving It!

After four decades, DR ASHA K KARAN of Dental Essence is as passionate about practising dentistry as she was on day one. She tells us about her career and what keeps her going.

- CHERRY LAI

Tell us about yourself and your background.

I was born in Kerala, South India. I came to Singapore when I was two years old and have been here ever since. Like my parents, I became a Singapore citizen.

Was dentistry something you always wanted to pursue?

I've always liked biology - what can be more fascinating than the human body?! When it came to making a choice at university, my family had the tacit expectation that I pursue a profession. At that time in Singapore, the options were medicine or dentistry. As a young woman, I was advised that dentistry was "more suitable" for women as it did not have exhausting night shifts.

You managed your own dental practice for 30 years. What were some highlights and lowlights from these years?

I set up my practice just a couple of years after graduation. It was a huge learning curve establishing and managing a practice, but I was eager to learn and apply what I learn. I was one of the first dentists to have a professionally designed website back in 2004.

Over the years, I've had the opportunity to treat three generations within families. I value the relationships built and the trust they have in me. I have watched kids grow up. For example, there was one rather gangly young teenager who came to me for braces to align protruding teeth. Subsequently, I treated her parents and other relatives. A few years later, I received an invitation to her dance performance. Not only did she dance beautifully but she was beautiful – and I felt I had a part in that! I was later invited to her wedding.

Just last week, I had a mature woman tell me that I have been treating her from “baby teeth to wisdom teeth”. I feel privileged to have such patient loyalty.