On August 26 - 27, 2023, University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) faculty, students, and residents volunteered at a Remote Area Medical (RAM) Clinic event in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to provide free dental care.  

RAM was founded in 1985 by Stan Brock to provide basic medical aid to people all over the world in inaccessible regions and any community, aiming to prevent pain and alleviate suffering by offering free quality healthcare to those in need. 

UKCD was represented by almost 30 participants, including dental students, residents, and faculty members from various divisions. The faculty members who volunteered were Drs. Nelly Elwany, Ronald Singer, Melvyn Yeoh, and Al Wiemann. The RAM Clinic provided free medical, dental, and vision care to a total of 194 patients.  

“My first participation in a RAM event was the most rewarding one. Seeing our students deliver quality treatment to patients who were so appreciative made the experience most worthwhile and memorable,” shared Wiemann, the Division Chief of Endodontics. 

"I love participating in the volunteer RAM trips because it's a real-world opportunity to provide care and attention to those in significant need using the skills I've gained throughout my time in dental school,” shared dental student Rami Alzein, Class of 2025. “So many people in Kentucky and around the country are in constant pain, preventing them from being able to eat, sleep, and enjoy their day-to-day lives. If it takes us half an hour or less to make that kind of difference in their lives, it's well worth it to us to apply what we have learned for the greater good. So far, I have been fortunate enough to attend two separate RAM clinics, and I look forward to many more in the future, as it is an excellent opportunity and organization to provide much-needed support to those around us in need with the capabilities we have spent time acquiring. In the end, you get into a career like dentistry to put a smile on each and every face you encounter, and it is a pleasure to do so each and every time." 

“I loved serving the community of Bowling Green and helping the third- and fourth-year dental students to get some great clinical experience. It was well worth the drive,” shared Dr. William Coppess, a  general practice resident. 

Yeoh, Division Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Chair of the Department of Oral Health Science, shared, “Volunteering at the RAM clinic is an amazing experience. The people you treat are extremely grateful for the care, and the people one works with give us hope that in this day and age, people still care.” 

Singer, Interim Division Chief of Public Health Dentistry, shared, “UK College of Dentistry has been very active this year in joining the RAM organization, providing dental care to the underserved communities of Hazard, Kentucky, in June and Bowling Green in August.” 

“UK College of Dentistry will be joining RAM in December to provide care to the community of Mayfield, Kentucky. Student enthusiasm has been overwhelming to participate in the RAM mission to provide care to underserved communities. On December 2-3, 2023, we expect 70 dental students to travel to Mayfield to deliver competent and compassionate healthcare to those who are impoverished and underserved,” added Singer.