DVI fills an essential need. It is the largest free dental clinic in all of Israel, offering state-of-the-art treatment. Dental care is not covered by any medical or dental insurance in Israel, nor do Israeli schools provide any preventive care programs. Consequently, many young children are suffering from extensive tooth decay, especially among the lower socioeconomic populations. Those underprivileged children would not have any dental treatment, even not in an emergency, if not for DVI. Those children living below the poverty line have problems with their teeth due to poor diet, lack of oral hygiene habits or parents who are unable to provide regular dental treatment or are unaware of the importance of such treatment and prevention. Most of these children suffer from profound dental disease – they can’t eat or sleep properly, can’t pay attention in school because they’re suffering from chronic infections and the resulting constant pain that could have been prevented and easily relieved through prevention.

A few drawings about dental health done by our young patients

Good oral health isn’t just about teeth and gums. It’s about overall health, about preventing and controlling non-oral diseases. Modern medicine understands the importance of prevention and this is what is stressed at DVI. Before starting treatment, the children and their parents must attend the Donald Berman Preventative Oral Health Care Unit where they receive oral hygiene education - including proper diet & teeth care – and preventative treatments such as fluoride & fissure sealants. Only once the children show that they can maintain oral hygiene does the treatment start. Each family is invited for regular 6-month recall visits, which all begin with a check-up and a visit to the Oral Health Care Unit.

Due to the high quality of dentists working at this clinic, DVI has been recognized by the Israeli Dental Association, Scientific Committee & the Health Ministry as an approved Pediatric Dentistry training facility.

The Dental Volunteers for Israel has received many prestigious awards for volunteerism, including “2006 Jerusalem Mayor’s Omen” in appreciation for the organization’s voluntary work and contribution to the children of Jerusalem, the “Volunteer Protector’s Award ” from the Health Minister, an Honorary Membership to the late Mrs. Trudi Birger by the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity, an “Estimation and Honor” award from the Movement for a Better Israel, “The Lions Omen” by the Israel Lions Club, etc.