9-21-2026 9:00pm

Franklin Dental Clinic to Offer Free Care

Beth Callahan Editor

All photos courtesy of Franklin Dental Care & Dentures

FRANKLIN, Ohio — For people who have put off going to the dentist because they cannot afford it, a Franklin dental practice is opening its doors for a day of free care.

Franklin Dental Care & Dentures, 314 S. River St., will host a free dental clinic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10.

The clinic will offer free dental X-rays, oral cancer screenings and tooth extractions, with no insurance required and no bill for services provided during the event. Volunteer dentists, hygienists and other dental professionals are being recruited from throughout the area to help with the clinic.

The event is being organized in conjunction with Bright Smiles Community Outreach Coalition, a nonprofit founded by Dr. Turab Rai, a dentist at Franklin Dental Care & Dentures.

For Rai, the clinic is about more than treating teeth. He said dental pain can affect a person's ability to work, support a family and even feel confident enough to apply for a job.

"If you've got a tooth that needs to come out, I'll take it out," Rai said while explaining the purpose of the free clinics. "Let's get you out of pain so you can think and go to work and do what you need to do for your family."

Rai told the Warren County Post that the organization has treated about 123 patients during its previous three free clinics. His goal is to make the clinics a permanent quarterly event.

"This is going to be every quarter forever," Rai said.

A need for dental care

Access to dental care remains an issue both locally and across Ohio.

A Warren County Health District report, using 2021 provider data, found there was approximately one dentist for every 2,390 Warren County residents. Statewide, the ratio was considerably lower at one dentist for every 1,550 residents.

More recent statewide figures also point to gaps in oral health care. The Health Policy Institute of Ohio reported in its 2026 Health Value Dashboard that 65.4% of Ohio adults had visited a dentist or dental clinic within the previous year.

For people without dental coverage — or those who cannot afford out-of-pocket costs — delaying treatment can mean living with toothaches, infections or broken teeth until the problem becomes severe.

Rai said that is one reason the free clinics initially focus on getting people out of pain.

"If you need continuing care, my practice takes Medicaid," he said, adding that patients can also be directed to other dental providers when additional treatment is needed.

Franklin Dental Care & Dentures' regular practice primarily serves Medicaid patients. Rai joined the Franklin practice after dental school, working alongside his mother, Dr. Lubna Taj.

From treatment to prevention

Rai said his long-term goal extends beyond treating dental problems once they develop.

He founded Bright Smiles Community Outreach Coalition to combine free dental care with education about oral health and prevention.

"As I grow and as Bright Smiles grows, really education is our biggest thing," Rai said. "How do you prevent the cavity from forming in the first place?"

The nonprofit distributes dental supplies, provides oral health education and works with community organizations. Rai said he wants patients not only to learn how to protect their own teeth but also to share that knowledge with their children and others in the community.

He also hopes more dental professionals will volunteer for future clinics. Rai said finding enough providers has been one of the biggest obstacles to serving more patients.

The Cincinnati Dental Society is currently publicizing the Oct. 10 clinic to dentists, hygienists and dental assistants seeking volunteer opportunities.

For Rai, the immediate objective on clinic day remains straightforward: help someone who is hurting and may have nowhere else to turn.

"When you have your health, you've got all the problems in the world," he said. "When you don't have your health, you've got one problem."

Free Dental Clinic

When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Franklin Dental Care & Dentures, 314 S. River St., Franklin
Services: Dental evaluations, X-rays, oral cancer screenings and extractions
Cost: Free
Insurance: No insurance required
Also available: Community food pantry