Events

Article - Teething Problems

Most people today are aware of the popular programmes of Birthright and MASA, bringing thousands of youngsters each year to 'experience' Israel.

But what is there for the seniors? Dr. Anthony Widmonte is a dentist in Johannesburg and is the first South African to volunteer for a programme in Jerusalem that has been running since 1980. DVI or Dental Volunteers for Israel is a free dental clinic in Israel for children of need. "Because dental health care costs are not covered by the government's health services, our non-profit cliinc is the only means by which Jerusalem's underprivileged children can receive oral health care," explains Debby (an Australian married to a former South African from Benoni Evan Fishman) and who works for DVI encouraging oversease dentists to volunteer their professional services for periods of 1-4 weeks.

The volunteer dentists from abroad are provided with a furnished free apartment - many bring their families - and join their Israeli colleagues in performing between 1000 - 1200 treatments each month.

During the past 28 years over 4,500 dentists have participated in the programme. "We need to publicize the programme more in South Africa." Continues Anthony, "With my kids and grandkids living in Har Nof, it's great to be able to visit my family while at the same time contribute meaningfully to the society here."

"As much as people say I'm doing good work, believe me, I'm the one that feels enriched." Anthony will be back later this year, hopefully joined by fellow African colleagues.

Dental Volunteers for Israel Receives Recognition from Mayor Lupolianski

Jerusalem's largest and most established free dental clinic, The Trudi Birger Dental Clinic - Dental Volunteers for Israel (DVI), received a medal of recognition this week from Mayor Lupolianski. At a very warm meeting at the mayor's offices, Mayor Lupolianski noted the important work DVI is doing to improve the lives of Jerusalem's underprivileged children and at risk youth. Mayor Lupolianski took time out of his very busy schedule to meet the management of DVI and one it's of the long-standing volunteers, Dr. John Bengtson from Minnesota, USA. For twenty-five years, Dr. Bengtson, a devout Christian, has given up his time and knowledge by volunteering at DVI. He has volunteered nineteen times. Dr. Bengtson has accumulated nearly a year of volunteer service at DVI.

Mayor Lupolianski expressed his sincere appreciation for Dr. Bengtson's dedication and for his many years of service. He welcomed Dr. Bengston to volunteer in Jerusalem for another twenty-five years. Dental Volunteers for Israel program operates a free dental clinic in Jerusalem for disadvantaged children and at risk youth between the ages of five and eighteen. Although there are over 150,000 children in Jerusalem living below the poverty level, Jerusalem Municipality's Welfare Services determines the children who are eligible to receive care at the dental clinic. These children receive a full range of preventative and restorative dentistry. Most importantly, the children and their families receive a comprehensive oral health program at no cost, with regular check-ups. Over 12,000 treatments are performed at the clinic annually.

The clinic is operated by professional dentists who come from all corners of the world to volunteer at the clinic for periods ranging from one to four weeks. The volunteer dentists, together with their Israeli colleagues, provide state-of-the-art dental care to the underprivileged children and at risk youth of Jerusalem. Since the clinics inception in 1980, over 4,500 dentists from more than twenty countries have volunteered their professional services with D.V.I.

D. Walter Cohen 1st Annual DVI Lecture

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Dr. D. Walter Cohen , high above the clouds in New York City, inaugurated the first Annual Dr. D. Walter Cohen DVI Lecture. Held at the American Express Tower at the World Financial Center, one could imagine the unending hopes and vision of the indefatigably giving founder of DVI, Trudi Birger, all while visualizing the glistening sunset reflecting off the waters of the Hudson River.

The aptly-named DVI was created out of a genuine need: The only insurance not covered in Israel is dental insurance, so a group of devoted volunteers (Dental Volunteers for Israel) stepped in to fill the void.

Nearly a quarter century ago, the remarkable Trudi Birger, a Holocaust survivor who devoted the rest of her days to improving the lives of Israelis, opened a free dental clinic for children in Jerusalem. A nonsectarian, nonreligious clinic provides free dentistry for all children who ask for it.

Since its establishment, the Trudi Birger Dental Clinic has provided totally free dental health care, including prevention, to over 20,000 of Jerusalem's underprivileged children between the ages of five and 18.

Over 50 percent of the patients are Arabs. The providing dentistry is done by volunteers. A huge amount of the dental equipment has been donated for years by Sullivan-Schein keeping it an up to date modern facility.

Helping Dr. Cohen organize the splendid evening in New York were Drs. Deborah Weisfuse, Robert Lipner, and Alan Helfer.

The centerpiece of the evening was the presentation by Dr. Dan Nathanson, who is Chairman of the Department of Restorative Sceinces/ Biomaterials at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Cohen introduced Dr. Nathanson as a Master Clinician who is President-Elect of the International Federation of Esthetic Dentistry.

Dr. Nathanson recently received a Fellowship, as had Dr. Cohen previously, from the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics as well.

His presentation, entitled 'Ceramic Crown Options For The Esthetically Demanding Patient' was very informative and enthusiastically received.

Dr. Cohen is so excited about children getting free dental treatment and knowledge of prevention, he can only encourage volunteers to reap the joy and participate.