DVI History

History

Since it's founding in 1980, Dental Volunteers for Israel has been providing free dental care to Jerusalem's most underprivileged children. At the state-of-the-art Trudi Birger Dental Clinic, children of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds are treated by dentists from around the world. Volunteering services range from routine to complex dental procedures. DVI also runs a comprehensive preventative dental care program to help young patients develop good, long-term oral health habits. This work is made possible not only by the dentists who come to Israel and donate their time and expertise but also by businesses and individuals who donate supplies, equipment, and financial resources for our operating budget.

Although oral care is a key contributor to overall health, it is often considered an unaffordable luxury to low-income families. The situation is dire in Jerusalem. Currently, more than 200,000 children are living in poverty, and the numbers are continuing to rise. Dental Volunteers for Israel treats thousands of these children each year at the clinic, yet there are still thousands more who need our help.

There is no other organization that provides comprehensive dental care and education to disadvantaged children in Israel for free. DVI has won awards from the Mayor of Jerusalem, the Israel Ministry of Health, and the Movement for a Better Israel, which lauded DVI for encouraging brotherhood and tolerance between Jews and Arabs.