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

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 10, 2012) --  A group of faculty, staff, and students from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry volunteered to participate in the Remote Area Medical Team event in Somerset, Ky., on Sept. 8 -10.

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 over 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, Ky., in 2008 prompted the creation of a Kentucky state affiliate of Remote Area Medical Foundation.

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, and fluoride treatments. Poor dental health is frequently seen in the hills of the Southern Appalachians, often affecting the overall health of the patient. One visit can help improve many serious dental problems.

RAM's most recent expedition to Pikeville in 2011 served 882 patients including providing 386 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 participated at this event.

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

Media Contact: Ann Blackford at (859)323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu