Bright Smiles Expands Free Dental Clinic With Two KARE Mobile Dental Vans in Franklin

Franklin, Ohio — July 11, 2026 — Bright Smiles Community Outreach Coalition, in partnership with Franklin Dental Care and Dentures, brought dental professionals, medical support, live music, and community resources together for a free dental clinic serving 38 patients from Franklin and surrounding communities.

The clinic was held from 9:00 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon and was designed to help individuals experiencing dental pain, infections, damaged teeth, and other urgent oral health concerns.

This clinic featured a larger treatment setup than previous events. Dr. Watson’s team brought two KARE Mobile dental vans, which operated alongside the four treatment rooms inside Franklin Dental Care and Dentures.

Dr. Turab Rai, Dr. Khalid Chaudhry, and Dr. Maidah Atta treated patients in the Franklin Dental operatories. The KARE Mobile teams provided additional care through the two mobile dental units.

Dr. Gary Huber, a physician, also participated in the event and assisted with patient triage. His role helped the team evaluate patients, identify immediate concerns, and guide them to the appropriate care area.

The clinic focused on more than providing temporary relief. Patients were also given information about possible next steps and continuing treatment, including fillings, extractions, dentures, cleanings, and other services that support long-term oral health.

“Dental pain can affect a person’s ability to sleep, eat, work, and care for their family,” said Dr. Turab Rai, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bright Smiles Community Outreach Coalition and a lead dentist at Franklin Dental Care and Dentures. “By bringing dental professionals, medical support, mobile clinics, and community partners together, we can provide relief while helping patients understand where to go next.”

CareSource representatives attended the clinic to help patients understand their insurance options and connect eligible individuals with coverage resources. Their participation added another layer of support for patients who may face financial or insurance-related barriers to ongoing healthcare.

Musicians from Bright Smiles Music performed during the event, creating a more positive and welcoming environment for patients and families waiting to receive care.

Bright Smiles Music is an initiative that uses music, creativity, and community engagement to promote health education, service, and hope. The live performances helped turn the clinic into more than a treatment event by creating an atmosphere centered on dignity, encouragement, and community connection.

Franklin Dental staff, volunteers, healthcare professionals, sponsors, and community partners supported registration, patient guidance, clinical care, triage, insurance assistance, event logistics, and media coverage throughout the day.

Photography, video interviews, and patient stories were also collected to help raise awareness about barriers to dental care and the importance of community-based health services.

The July clinic followed Bright Smiles’ April 11, 2026 event, which treated 47 emergency patients and included the packing of 3,000 dental kits for the community. While the July event treated fewer patients, it introduced a broader collaborative model that included two mobile dental vans, physician-led triage, insurance assistance, and expanded community participation.

Bright Smiles Community Outreach Coalition plans to continue developing its free clinic model by recruiting more dental professionals, improving patient scheduling and flow, strengthening community partnerships, and creating clearer pathways for follow-up treatment.

The organization’s long-term goal is to build a repeatable system that brings urgent dental care, health education, insurance support, and continuing-care resources directly to people who need them.

As Dr. Rai often reminds patients and community members:

“Your mouth is the door to your body. Don’t let just anything in at any time.”

These quarterly clinics are built on the belief that accessible local care, practical health education, and thoughtful follow-up can create lasting change for patients, families, and the wider community.