UK Dental Faculty, Staff and Students Volunteer for Remote Area Medical Team Event

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 20, 2013) -- A group of more than 70 faculty, residents, staff and students from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry has volunteered to participate in the Remote Area Medical Team event in Harlan, Ky., on  March 23 and 24 at the Harlan County High School.

Founded in 1985, the Remote Area Medical Team (RAM) aims to serve people in remote areas of the United States and the world by providing them with free health care, dental care, eye care, veterinary services, and technical and educational assistance. The organization has conducted more than 660 expeditions, both in the United States and abroad, and RAM now has several state affiliates.

The most frequent expeditions combine vision, dental and women's health services in Appalachia. A successful RAM venture to Pike County in 2008 prompted the creation of a Kentucky state affiliate and the first expedition by RAM Kentucky was in Soft Shell, Ky., in December 2008.

RAM dental services have grown from emergency extractions in the early days of the organization to now include restorations, cleanings, fluoride treatments and repair of broken dentures. Poor dental health is frequently seen in the hills of the Southern Appalachains, often affecting the overall health of the patient. One visit can help improve some of the more serious dental problems.

RAM's most recent expedition to Somerset in September 2012 served more than 1,200 patients, including 650 for dental services. RAM leadership determines the areas that their team will visit and volunteers are solicited from among local health care workers and community members. Students and faculty from both UK and the University of Louisville are expected to participate at this event.

To learn more about RAM or find out how to become a volunteer, visit http://www.ramusa.org/.