Dentistry Sweethearts

By Nina Ambros

When students begin their journey at dental school, they expect to leave with a great education that prepares them for the dental profession. But a few lucky ones also find love. This year, dentistry sweethearts, Allan Katchky (8T2) and Cindy Greenspoon (8T3) will celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary. Allan and Cindy met as dental students. 

When Cindy first noticed Allan, she was in the third year of her DDS. “I spotted this good-looking guy in senior lab one row behind me,” says Cindy. “We would often see each other in the lab but did not talk much at first.”  Allan was in fourth year at the time. 
 
Then one day, they both ended up at the same dentistry student party, and that’s where they got talking. The next time Cindy saw Allan in the lab, they talked again, and she asked him for advice about something. Not long after that, the couple went out together for the first time. 

A few months into their relationship, Allan moved away to the United States for his general practice residency. Cindy and Allan maintained their relationship over long-distance for the year, and not long after Allan’s return to Toronto, they got engaged. The couple married on August 30, 1984. 

“If you find the right person, everything works.” says Cindy. “Long distance relationships are a good test of a relationship, ours passed the test.” says Allan. “Although it was difficult at times being apart, it made getting together that much more special.” 

Allan and Cindy are one of many dentist couples. “It’s much more common than you think,” says Cindy. The Katchkys own a thriving private practice in Scarborough, Ontario. They have also been working together for more than 20 years. “Sometimes patients will ask me about what’s it like working with my wife in the office,” says Allan. “They think that it must be difficult, but not at all. We usually don’t interact with each other much during a busy day caring for patients, and it’s so nice to be able to have a chat together at the end of our workday.” The couple has four children, two boys and two girls. Cindy and Allan are also grandparents to six grandchildren. 

Both of their daughters are U of T Dentistry graduates, who currently practice together at the family office. Lindsay Katchky, their youngest, met her partner Aaron Miller in her first year of dental school in 2016. Six years later, the couple is happily living together in Toronto. Aaron is a second-year resident of pediatric dentistry, and Lindsay works as an associate in private practice. 

Lindsay and Aaron started off as friends for two months, before working up the courage to pursue a romantic relationship. They supported each other throughout dental school, often studying together. “It was so much fun being in school together. We made so many great memories and it was amazing for us to have that experience as a couple." says Lindsay.
"We had a very positive experience.” says Aaron. “It was so nice to have someone who fully understands the dental school journey, and for us to provide each other with support throughout.”  

Encouraging their daughters to pursue their dental education at U of T, is a testament to the meaningful experience that the Katchkys had themselves. “A lot of our friends are dentists and U of T graduates,” says Allan. “As you can imagine, dentists have a lot in common”. "You definitely create life-long relationships with your peers in dental school. There is a sense of community that keeps going.” adds Cindy.