The Professional Education Preparation Program–Discover Modern Dentistry (PEPP-DMD), is a residential summer academic enrichment program. The program seeks to educate rising college juniors and/or seniors who are interested in the field of dentistry and in becoming dentists treating underserved populations in rural or urban areas throughout the Commonwealth. Applicants from medically underserved counties in Kentucky and those from minority populations underrepresented in healthcare are encouraged to apply.

American Mock World Health Organization is a student-led organization on UK’s campus that seeks to identify problems in the healthcare community and to solve them through using the time, talents, and initiative of our members. Every year we identify a population in need and make it our duty to feasibly fill that need during the duration of the school year. For Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 we are making it our mission to help the staff at a nursing home take care of patients through brushing teeth, trimming nails, encouraging the patients to eat, and spending time 1 on 1 with them. We have identified this population as “in need” due to staffing shortages at nursing homes that may result in less quality care for individual patients.

The Campus Kitchen at the University of Kentucky (CKUK) is a student-powered organization dedicated to reducing food waste and eliminating food insecurity. We recover food and produce from campus dining facilities, grocery stores, and farmers markets to prepare healthy, balanced meals for those experiencing poverty, hunger, isolation, and/or homelessness in the Lexington and UK community. CKUK also works to target the root causes of hunger and food waste on campus and in the community through education and programming.

UKCD’s Saturday Morning Clinic offers no-cost treatment to underserved, underinsured children ages 4 to 12, aiding families who may face barriers in obtaining necessary dental care for their children. This is a chance to shadow and observe current students.

RMHC programs help alleviate some financial burdens for families with sick children. We help our families save nearly over $443 million in hotel and meal expenses. The Lexington house provides a safe haven for families whose children are at UK’s healthcare being provided treatment. Volunteers prepare and serve meals to residents as well as spend time with families.

Mission Health Lexington provides comprehensive charitable healthcare to Fayette County adult residents living without insurance and below federal poverty guidelines. Students can volunteer to assist and shadow at the clinic. (Must be fully vaccinated to volunteer)

Mission Frankfort is a free dental and medical clinic that serves local residents under the poverty line. Students have an opportunity to come serve while assisting and shadowing. Those with spanish speaking abilities may also have an opportunity to assist in translating between patients and doctors.

University of Kentucky’s College of Dentistry Workshop allow prospective students a chance to interact with faculty and gain insight into the dental program offered at UK. This workshop includes a tour and brief mock lecture by a faculty member. There is also a representative from the programs financial aid department that discusses the cost of attending dental school and how to prepare for applying.

Alternative Service Breaks (ASB) connects students with service projects in communities beyond the borders of Lexington, and Kentucky, in order to promote service-learning experiences that benefit both students and the community they serve.

The mission of this mentoring program is to connect kids to college students through weekly on-campus activities that inspire growth, confidence, and brighter futures.

DanceBlue is a University of Kentucky student-run organization that fundraises year-round and culminates in a 24-hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon. The money raised through DanceBlue is donated to the Golden Matrix Fund, established to support the kids of the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic both today and well into the future through an endowment. The goal of the Golden Matrix Fund is to provide care and support for the kids through giving them and their parent’s comfort.

Global Brigades is an international non-profit that uniquely implements a holistic model to meet a community’s health and economic goals. Our model systematically builds community ownership and collaboratively executes programs with the end goal of sustainably transitioning to a relationship of impact monitoring.

Attached you will find an additional list of local and regional opportunities to get involved as an undergraduate student. This list is not exhaustive; however, it offers a good starting point for students looking to become involved on and off-campus.