By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — It’s been a long journey from Kyrgyzstan to Davidson for Dr. Tatiana Novoselova.

The dentist, who emigrated from the former Soviet state to Canada in 1997, is set to join Dr. Abe Chaukla at the Davidson Dental Clinic, practising there part-time.

Dr. Novoselova told the Leader that she has visited the clinic a couple of times, getting to know the staff and seeing what a typical day looks like.

“I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “I spent time in the office and I know what I am getting into.”

Her homeland of Kyrgyzstan was part of the U.S.S.R. until its breakup in 1991. The dentist was born and raised there, and enjoyed a stable upbringing with both of her parents employed.

But changes were on the horizon in the early 1990s, with economic instability on the rise, and ethnic and cultural tension building.

“I just saw no future for myself there,” she said. “I had my dreams and I didn’t see that I could fulfill them in the country at that time.”

For the full story, please see the Nov. 14 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.