Dr. Raj Khanuja, a 2000 graduate of the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, has helped lead a national movement in Canada focused on expanding access to dental care for underserved communities.

Khanuja launched National Dental Care Day, an initiative that provides free, barrier-free dental care to Canadians in need. Held annually on October 10, the effort brings together dental clinics, volunteers, clinicians, and community partners to provide care guided by compassion, dignity, and service.

The initiative began in Brampton, Ontario, and has since grown into a national effort reaching more than 100 communities across Canada. Since its founding, National Dental Care Day has helped restore more than 2,000 smiles and provided more than $400,000 in estimated dental care to individuals without dental care coverage.

Khanuja’s work was recently recognized in the Parliament of Canada, where the Hon. Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia spoke about the importance of National Dental Care Day and its role in addressing barriers to oral health care.

“Dental care is not a luxury. It is a cornerstone of overall health and well-being,” says Ravalia, “[It] restores dignity, builds trust and reminds us all of the power of service.”

National Dental Care Day has also received broader recognition for its civic and public health impact. The initiative was recognized by the Government of Ontario for advancing dignity, compassion, and equitable dental care through volunteer service. Khanuja also received a Special Mention for the 2025 Community Leader Award through Canada’s Volunteer Awards.

Khanuja credits his time at Iowa as part of the foundation for his professional path. While at the College of Dentistry, he participated in the student research program and worked with faculty mentor Dean Clark Stanford on research related to implants and osteoporosis.