FERGUS – A movement that began in Brampton has now grown across the province – and this year, Fergus and Hillsburgh were among the communities helping light the way.
Dental teams joined the first-ever National Dental Care Day (NDCD), a coordinated effort to provide free dental care to Canadians without coverage.
The initiative, founded by Dr. Raj Khanuja, recipient of the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship, invited clinics to dedicate one day each year to restoring dignity through compassion and service.
In Fergus, Dr. Madhavi Kolli and her team volunteered their time and skills to provide care, while Dr. Maithali Bhosekar led a similar effort in Hillsburgh.
Together, participating clinics treated over 200 patients, delivering more than $121,000 in free dental services such as cleanings, extractions and fillings.
‘Restoring dignity’
The national launch took place in Brampton, where Councillor Rod Power joined Khanuja to light the “flame of compassion,” a symbolic torch passed to 10 children representing “the future of Canada.”
“Dentistry isn’t just about teeth, it’s about restoring dignity,” said Khanuja. “When we help someone smile again, we strengthen our community.”
The launch drew civic leaders, volunteers and national attention.
National Dental Care Day was featured by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), the regulatory body for Ontario dentists, and highlighted by the University of Toronto faculty of dentistry, whose Dean, Dr. Anil Kishen, described the initiative as “both timely and deeply impactful. We are pleased to support this initiative.”
Recognized in Parliament
Two days before the launch, on Oct. 8, Senator Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia rose in the Senate of Canada to formally recognize NDCD in the Hansard record – a historic milestone for Canadian dentistry.
In his remarks, Ravalia stated, “For too many Canadians, access to oral health care remains out of reach. We know that dental care is not a luxury – it is a cornerstone of overall health and well-being.”
He added, “Dr. Raj Khanuja’s vision of a National Dental Care Day is so important. It restores dignity, builds trust and reminds us all of the power of service.”
From one smile to a movement
Since its grassroots beginnings in 2012, Khanuja’s free-care initiative has reached more than 100 communities and restored over 2,000 smiles, providing $403,600 in free dental care through his ongoing Doing Positive in My Backyard program.
With the addition of $121,000 contributed through the first National Dental Care Day, the total impact now exceeds $524,600.
Supported by 26 municipalities, two Lieutenant Governors and three provincial governments, National Dental Care Day marks the beginning of a new Canadian tradition: one day each year dedicated to compassion, dignity, and service.
“A flame of compassion was lit in Brampton,” said Khanuja.
“And now it’s being carried by every clinic, every volunteer, and every patient whose dignity has been restored.”
