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Many of Remote Area Medical’s (RAM®) volunteers are pre-dental students. They are often getting experience and earning volunteer hours to help their application to stand out once they being applying to dental school.
Frequently asked questions by pre-dental students about volunteering for dental school applications:
Do you need volunteering for dental school?
Many dental schools require volunteer hours for admission. However, not all dental schools require that you have volunteer hours for your application. Other schools may not require volunteering, but they may strongly suggest that prospective students add volunteering to their application.
Even if volunteer hours are not required on your application, having volunteer work listed may make you stand out from other applicants. Volunteer work shows that you are dedicated to serving others and supporting your community. It also helps to develop interpersonal and communication skills. [Indiana University Health Professions & Prelaw Advising]
What type of volunteering is good for dental school?
Volunteering in any capacity will look good on a dental school application. Volunteer work shows that you are invested in your community, dedicated to working hard, and shows that you work well with others.
Some schools may suggest that students volunteer in a healthcare setting or that they volunteer with a nonprofit organization. It is important to check the needs of the schools you are applying to.
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Your gift helps RAM continue providing free care to people in need.
Volunteering with RAM is a great choice for dental school applicants. We offer opportunities to work with dental instruments, work in sterilization, escort patients, and much more. Volunteers also get an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals. As our volunteers are usually pre-dental students, dental students, and dental professionals.
Volunteering with RAM is a great dental clinic experience to add to your dental school application.
Is 100 volunteer hours good for dental school?
There is no set number of hours required by all dental schools, as each has different requirements. 100 volunteer hours is a good average, with some schools requiring more, others requiring fewer. Check with the schools you are applying to for volunteer hour requirements.
For example, the University of Minnesota only requires 50 hours of volunteer work, but they state that most competitive applicants have more than 100 volunteer hours. The more volunteer hours you have, the more competitive your application looks to admission offices.
RAM Clinic days can be up to 12 hours long. Volunteering at fewer than 10 RAM free clinics is all it takes to get the recommended 100 volunteer hours. For volunteers who set up on Friday and work at the clinic on Saturday and Sunday, volunteer hours quickly add up.
What can I do at a RAM Clinic as a volunteer?
At RAM we have volunteer roles for everyone. Pre-dental students, or those enrolled in dental school but are not in their third year, can volunteer as general support volunteers. There are so many jobs at the clinic for general support, including: dental sterilization, patient registration, volunteer registration, clinic escort, assisting on the dental floor, and much more.
Why should I volunteer at RAM as a pre-dental student?
At a RAM Clinic you’ll get hands-on clinical experience. You’ll get the chance to interact with patients. You also get the opportunity to make a difference in your community.
Beyond getting hands-on clinical experience, every person involved in a RAM Clinic is making a direct impact on the lives of our patients. Many of our patients have not seen a dentist, doctor, or optometrist in more than 20 years. This clinic is an opportunity for patients to get the care they deserve for free.
Click here to read about pre-dental student, Patricia, why she volunteers with RAM, and why she thinks you should too.
Watch this video from pre-dental student, Haiden, volunteering at a RAM free clinic in Alabama.
How can RAM help me with my volunteer hours?
We have so many volunteer opportunities for pre-dental students to volunteer. Volunteers can come to RAM’s headquarters five days a week. We are located just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee. Volunteers can also join us at any of our clinics nationwide, check our schedule to find a RAM free clinic near you. Clinic weekends offer up to three days of volunteer work.
If you need proof of your volunteer work with RAM, we are more than happy to accommodate. We can provide letters of recommendation, sign off on proof of hours, or just about anything else you may need. We want to help you succeed.
RAM Beyond the Clinic
We hope to see you volunteering at one of our upcoming free clinics near you! Get your friends, classmates, and peers involved in volunteering too. If you are a college student, check to see if your school has a RAM Campus Chapter that you can get involved in.
Are you following RAM on social media? Be sure to find us on your favorite social media platforms.
Do you want to learn more about RAM? We encourage you to check out our blog and to download the most recent edition of our magazine. Find behind-the-scenes content, patient and volunteer stories, learn about health awareness months, and more.
RAM is funded by the generous support of our donors. If you would like to donate to help RAM continue bringing free clinics providing dental, vision, and medical care to those in need, click here. To make an even larger impact with your donation, we’d like to encourage you to become a monthly donor. Monthly donations help support RAM’s mission throughout the year.
If you or someone you know needs RAM’s free clinic services, please view our schedule. Check our website for the most up-to-date information on our clinics. No need to search “free clinic near me,” just head to www.ramusa.org/schedule
