Writing Love Stories, One Filling at a Time
For five GSDM couples, dentistry brought them more than just a career, it brought them love. In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we’re sharing their BU Dental love stories.
From our love stories to yours, Happy Valentine’s Day.
Alena Kiachtchenko EDOP 26 and Oleksii (Alex) Negreskul EDOP 25
Together since 2008, Married since 2011
When Negreskul was in his fourth year of dental school in Ukraine, he kept seeing the same first-year student at school events and parties. He said he was instantly drawn to this student’s beautiful mind and smile.
“It wasn’t just her looks that caught my attention,” Negreskul said of the student, who turned out to be Kiachtchenko. “I could see she had the drive to succeed, and that was something I admired.”
The pair said their personal and professional loves quickly started to intertwine–and they soon became an official couple.
Negreskul proposed to Kiachtchenko during her final year of dental school in the park where they used to walk together when they first started dating. Kiachtchenko said she was surprised–but that the moment was perfect. She said “Yes.”
“For me, it wasn’t just that Alex was my boyfriend; he was my mentor in dentistry,” Kiachtchenko said. “We shared so many goals, values, and even hobbies.”
Since their wedding in 2011, the couple said their passion for dentistry and the desire to continue to learn has only deepened. When Negreskul started the certificate of Advanced Graduate Study program in operative program (later renamed to esthetic, digital, and operative dentistry) at GSDM in 2023, Kiachtchenko wanted to follow in his footsteps. She was later into the same program.
“We both feel so lucky to be at Boston University together,” Kiachtchenko said. “It’s not every day that you get to go through such an incredible experience with your spouse, and we’re grateful for it.”
The couple said dentistry remains the foundation of their relationship. As they proceed in their residency programs, they said it is helping them remain connected to each other.
“It’s amazing to look back at everything we’ve accomplished together: from meeting in dental school to moving to the USA and starting a new life here navigating the language, making new friends, and rebuilding a life far from home,” Negreskul said “It’s not just our achievements in dentistry, but also the support of our families back in Ukraine who believed in our dreams and our future here in the U.S. We’re grateful for every experience and challenge along the way because they’ve made us stronger. And now, we’re ready for the future—together.”
Ashish Agarwal DMD 17 and Arifa Bakerywala DMD 18
Married since 2017
Son Ziaan (born 2023)
Agarwal’s and Bakerywala’s love story formed by being in the right place at the right time.
The pair were both in the GSDM Advanced Standing program, but Agarwal was a year ahead of Bakerywala. Howver, Bakerywala said their paths seem to cross more often than she could have imagined.
At first, Bakerywala was taken aback by the candor in which Agarwal spoke with. Slowly, but surely, she started to see the beauty in his honesty and boundless optimism.
“It took me a while to realize it, falling in love with him—his spirit, his drive, his heart—has been one of the most beautiful things to ever happen to me,” Bakerywala said.
Their early dates weren’t filled with roses and candles, but rather textbooks and anatomy charts. Bakerywala said. These “study dates” evolved into a real connection.
“It’s funny how love can sneak up on you like that,” Bakerywala said. “It wasn’t fireworks or grand gestures—it was in the quiet moments, the stolen glances, the way our conversations made everything else fade into the background. Before I knew it, every study session felt like a date, and every day with him felt like something I never wanted to end.”
Bakerywala said she appreciates how their differences–both dental and personal–complement each other. Throughout all their relationship’s numerous chaotic moments, the pair believes every unexpected twist has brought them exactly where they need to be.
“We owe a huge thank you to BU for giving us the chance to be a part of their program—because, without that, our love story might never have had the chance to bloom,” Bakerywala said. “It’s incredible how life works, how a single decision can set the stage for something so beautiful. Looking back, I’m so grateful that our paths crossed there, as it was the beginning of everything.”
Pegah Mohammad Alizadeh DMD AS 25 and Nasser Hosseinzadeh Geriatrics 25
Together since 2011, Married since 2018
Daughter Erana (born 2024)
Alizadeh and Hosseinzadeh met through their sisters, who happen to be best friends and introduced the soon-to-be-couple to each other at a party. Alizadeh and Hosseinzadeh and their respective sisters decided to go on vacation, just as a group of friends—but sparks flew between the duo and from there, it was the start of their budding romance.
“I knew [he was the one] from the first day,” Alizadeh said “He was so cute. I loved him so much.”
The couple said that over their 14 years together they’ve discovered both pros and cons to being married to a fellow dentist. From working together at Alizadeh’s family’s dental practice in the Philippines to starting a family in the U.S. while juggling dental school, Hosseinzadeh said the key to balancing their busy, overlapping schedules it to make quality time for each other. He recalls Alizadeh waiting for him after long days–as far back as their first year in their relationship.
“We still wait for each other,” Hosseinzadeh said. “We are very patient and, of course, the study and the job are really very difficult. One thing that both of us have in us is patience for each other.”
Alizadeh and Hosseinzadeh welcomed their first child, daughter Erana, during Alizadeh’s first year in the DMD Advanced Standing program at GSDM. Balancing parenthood and academic responsibilities isn’t an easy task–but they said they have worked closely together to figure out the new challenge.
“It’s really difficult to be in dental school and handle your love life,” Alizadeh said. “Last year, it was so busy…but I really thank him for understanding me so much.”
Erica Gilbert DMD 14 and Joshua Gilbert DMD 14
Together since 2010, Married since 2016
Sons Ari (born 2021) and Seth (born 2025)
Erica (Weinberg) Gilbert and Joshua Gilbert met at the library during their first year at GSDM. They quickly became friends and study partners, through many study dates and nights out with their fellow classmates.
Not too long after, they started dating and had their first “real” date at a restaurant in China Town.
“We have always clicked,” the Gilberts wrote in an email. “We were together practically all the time. We lived together, studied, went to class, clinic, and out, and never seemed to get tired of one another or argue!”
To celebrate passing their board exams in their fourth year at GSDM, Joshua made a reservation at a restaurant near the Public Gardens. This was not just an ordinary dinner, but rather a precursor to a proposal. When the couple left the restaurant and started to walk through the Gardens, Joshua got down on one knee. The evening ended with a huge surprise engagement party with all their friends and family.
“Josh managed to get his whole family in from Chicago and Erica’s grandparents to the event without her having any idea,” the Gilberts wrote. “It was the most special night!”
Nowadays, the couple said it’s been great being with someone who shares the same passion of dentistry. Whether they are discussing personal or professional matters, they work perfectly in tandem, the couple said.
The couple just welcomed their second child, Seth, in January.
“We have learned that we are a great team and have navigated so many challenges together,” the Gilberts wrote. “[From] buying practices, a house, and having children, the journey has shown us we are better together.”
Sumeet Malhotra DMD 10 and Khushbu Malhotra DMD 18
Together and Married since 2011
Son Amrit (born 2015), Son Armaan (born 2019), and Daughter Vaani (born 2022)
Within five months, Sumeet Malhotra and Khushbu Malhotra met, got engaged, and married. They have been the perfect match ever since.
The pair met at an alumni event at their dental school in India. Sumeet was visiting as an alum and Khushbu was a third-year student performing in a group dance. Sumeet’s friend–who happened to be Khushbu’s cousin–pointed Khushbu out to him. Khushbu’s cousin and his wife introduced them to each other as Summet was looking to get married at the time, thinking Khushbu might be the “one.”
Khushbu did not realize it was a potential marriage introduction but agreed to meet Sumeet the next day.
“I was nervous and kind of clueless,” Khushbu said. “I thought I was just going for a lunch with [one] of my cousin’s friends because Sumeet was a dentist in the U.S. so I could get to know him as a friend to guide me in the future after I finish dental school in India. When he told me it was for ‘matrimonial’ reasons [and] that this date was set up by my cousin and his wife for the two of us to meet, I was kind of shocked and surprised.”
The future couple quickly realized they had similar personalities, and shared both a passion for dentistry and a desire to settle in the U.S. They started dating long distance, Sumeet in Texas and Khushbu in India.
During one visit to India, Sumeet told Khushbu he was going out with some friends. Khushbu decided to go out as well and meet up with two of her friends for dinner. However, this was a ruse to set up a one-of-a-kind proposal.
“I surprised her by dressing up in a Spiderman costume and pretending to fight off attackers coming close to her,” Sumeet said. “And then, one by one, other friends gave her a rose and I gave her a rose and then proposed to her.”
Fourteen years later, the couple are now living together in Texas and are raising three kids together. Sumeet said he loves how good of a mom Khushbu is.
“Being married and having a family is a great experience,” Sumeet said. “It helps a lot to raise a family together and work as a team. [It] teaches you to make sacrifices and compromises and results in lots of love.”
Editor’s note: All photos were provided by the couples.