Remote Area Medical (RAM), founded in 1985 by Stan Brock, hosts free pop-up medical, dental, and vision care clinics to those in need across the country, some of which the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) students, faculty, and staff have enjoyed taking part in over the years.  
On June 3-4, 2023, UKCD students, faculty, and staff, along with other volunteers, provided dental care at the RAM clinic in the underserved community of Hazard, Kentucky. University of Kentucky College of Nursing students and Jim Ballard from the Center for Interprofessional Education also played an integral part in patient care at the RAM event.  
UKCD was represented by 20 dental students, three pediatric dentistry residents, one oral and maxillofacial surgery resident, four faculty members, and two staff members, all played an important part in supporting care for the event's 226 patients at no charge.  
Three of the many students who dedicated their weekend to helping patients receive essential dental care were dental students Alyssa Childers, Jacob Peterson, and Beverly Balasuriya.   
“I had the best time providing care at the RAM clinic ...Through this experience I was able to provide dental care to those in need as well as gain invaluable experience. It’s a very rewarding feeling to see the work that you are doing for your patients pay off instantly and seeing the gratitude these patients expressed reminded me why I chose the field of dentistry,” shared Childers, Class of 2025.  
“The event showed me the need of patients in rural Kentucky and how thankful people are when we get to provide care,” shared Peterson, Class of 2026. “Even though most people despise the dentist, every patient I interacted with was ecstatic to be taken care of. It was life-changing to say the very least. My heart was filled, and it motivates me to be the best dentist I can to change the lives of those I see.”   
“RAM clinic was such an amazing experience! One of the pleasant things about this organization was the ability to perform a wide range of procedures from simple things such as cleanings to more advanced ones like extractions. Not only that but for free,” shared Balasuriya, Class of 2024. “Some of the patients came from underserved communities where they face barriers that prevent them from accessing oral care. One of them being fear or anxiety of being judged on their current oral health or from a previous traumatizing experience. The benefit of the RAM clinic is you have providers who have volunteered to be here. I personally volunteered because I want to attend to help these types of individuals and provide them with a pleasurable dental experience. One that will hopefully get them to realize there are good providers out there and maybe increase the chances of wanting to seek oral care in the future. RAM clinic allowed me the opportunity to really make a difference, encounter some remarkable people, and hear their stories.” 
Dr. Ronald Singer, UKCD Associate Professor of Oral Health Science and Interim Division Chief of Public Health Dentistry, accompanied students and helped provide care at the event. 
Speaking on the team’s efforts, Singer shared, “Patient care began each morning at 6:00 am...I am very proud of our dental students, staff, residents, and faculty working together to make a difference in Kentucky.”