Dental Volunteers for Israel - DVI, Mekor Haim 29, Jerusalem (2026)

03/06/2026

T. is a twenty-five-year-old woman who was raised in an ultra-Orthodox family. She is the oldest of seven children and has a twin sister. After completing high school and seminary (the ultra-Orthodox post-secondary educational program), she left home. Family life was highly stressful and demanding, and she often felt that she was constantly scrutinized and criticized. Through a program that provides housing, therapeutic support, and additional services for young adults from similar backgrounds, she moved into a shared apartment and was referred to the Clinic. Today, she maintains close relationships with all of her siblings but has no contact with her parents.

Currently, T. is studying to become a social worker. She has extensive experience working with at-risk youth, beginning as a counselor and later serving as a coordinator for a nonprofit organization that operates two family-based group homes for this population. In addition, she studied educational counseling and worked in that capacity with at-risk youth. She is completing her first year of social work studies and hopes to pursue her field placement, and ultimately her professional career, working with at-risk youth.

T. was deeply moved to learn that the dentist who treated her had traveled to Israel at his own expense in order to volunteer at the Clinic. She expressed profound gratitude for both the treatment she received and the compassion and respect shown to her by the DVI staff.

T. and Dr. Ernie Greenwald

10/05/2026

Come visit Dental Volunteers for Israel at the 2026 FDI World Dental Congress 2026 in Prague.

Learn about our vital humanitarian work and meaningful volunteer opportunities with underserved populations in Israel.

Dental Volunteers for Israel operates the only completely free dental clinic in Israel, providing comprehensive dental care to children and youth at risk, Holocaust survivors and the elderly, new immigrants, refugees, and families living in poverty — regardless of religion, ethnicity, or background.

Join us to discover how volunteer dentists and dental professionals from around the world are helping restore health, dignity, and smiles to those most in need.

06/05/2026

S. is an eighteen-year-old lone soldier. She grew up Connecticut, the middle of a family with eight children. As S. said, “I was raised to always give back to others and I knew from a young age that I wanted to serve in the IDF and live in Israel.” Her mother who is South Africa and her father who is from Michigan are emissaries of the Lubavitcher Rebbe serving the Stamford Jewish community.
October 7th and the ensuing war broke out when S. was in eleventh grade. These events further reinforced her conviction to serve her people. Upon graduating high school, S. immediately came to Israel to serve as a lone soldier in the IDF. Once in Israel, she did a seven-month preparatory program and then an additional four-month skills building program to determine what IDF assignment would best suit her. She had originally considered a search and rescue unit but ultimately committed to a combat intelligence unit. S. is in the process of completing her basic training and will be deployed to the Lebanese border in June. As a lone soldier, S. has a local adopted family and a large community of other lone soldiers to support her on this journey. When her teeth began hurting, it was this community of friends that suggested she make an appointment with Dr. Schwimmer who treats reservists and lone soldiers. He suggested she come to DVI--stating that he would volunteer for a day and treat her there.
After an initial examination and x-rays, it became clear that S. needs a root canal. Dr. Schwimmer has adapted his schedule so that he will be able to do all stages of the treatment at DVI while she is in Jerusalem. In many ways this epitomizes the idiom: “All of Israel is responsible one for the other.”
S. volunteered to come to Israel and serve as a lone soldier; Dr. Schwimmer volunteers with soldiers and recognized the problem; DVI was here to bring it all together and enable the treatment to get done!

In the picture, S. with Dr. Schwimmer at DVI!

29/04/2026

Thank you M. for your service!

M. is a forty-four-year-old father of three who lives in Jerusalem. Since the outbreak of the war on October 7th, M. has served close to three hundred days in reserve duty.

A Master Sergeant in the National Emergency Management Authority, M. is considered a high-ranking non-commissioned officer. Immediately following the October 7th attacks, M. was assigned to the Ashura army base under the auspices of the military Rabbinic authorities. This base served as the administrative center for all victims of the October 7th massacre. M. was responsible for coordinating and overseeing all operations related to the victims. His duties included creating and managing an inventory of all the murdered victims—both identified and initially unidentified—ensuring that families were kept informed about their loved ones, and working closely with the Rabbinic division to ensure that burial rituals were conducted respectfully and in accordance with each victim’s faith and their family’s wishes. This period was deeply challenging on every level.

M. is now responsible for addressing the needs of civilians who have been displaced. In the months of ongoing missile attacks, many civilians have been forced to leave their homes due to direct damage rendering them uninhabitable. Entire communities in the northern regions bordering Lebanon have also evacuated. It is not uncommon for these areas to endure intense barrages, with dozens of missiles fired within short periods of time. Schools have been closed for months, and many businesses have ceased operations. M. coordinates essential services for these families, including arranging educational solutions for children, assisting with applications for government support, and helping individuals seek employment.

M. has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to helping others. Although his current responsibilities limit his availability, he has volunteered for over ten years with a nonprofit organization supporting individuals living with schizophrenia.

M. with Dr. Shaffern, a long-time volunteer dentist.

28/04/2026

גבריאל בן 75 ועלה לישראל ממרוקו בגיל 16. כשנה וחצי לאחר עלייתו, גבריאל גויס לצה"ל ושירת בהנדסה קרבית ביחידה שעסקה בנטרול מטענים ופיצוץ חומרי נפץ, במטרה להגן על חיילים בשטח. הוא השתתף בשתי מלחמות ישראל—מלחמת יום הכיפורים בגזרה הסורית ומלחמת לבנון הראשונה—ובמהלך שירותו אף נפצע.
לאחר השחרור מצה"ל, עבד כנהג משאית במשך שנים רבות. גבריאל נישא והקים משפחה, וכיום הוא אב לארבעה ילדים—שלושה בנים ובת—וסב לשמונה נכדים.
עם השנים, חלה גבריאל בסוכרת קשה וכיום הוא נדרש להזריק אינסולין שלוש פעמים ביום, לצד נטילת תרופות רבות למחלות נוספות. לאחרונה אובחן כחולה בסרטן הערמונית והוא מצוי כעת בעיצומו של טיפול.
גבריאל הופנה למרפאה על ידי עובדת סוציאלית מאזור עיר גנים. כאשר הגיע למרפאה, היה חסר שיניים לחלוטין. "אני לא יכול לאכול; אני לא יוצא מהבית כי אני מתבייש; קשה לי לדבר; אני אף פעם לא מחייך," סיפר. "החלק הכי קשה הוא חוסר היכולת לאכול—במיוחד לאור מצבי הבריאותי."
למרות כל זאת, גבריאל שומר על גישה חיובית ואופטימית. "אתם כל כך אדיבים," אמר לצוות. "אני מבין את התהליך וממש מחכה לרגע שבו אוכל לחייך שוב."
בתמונה גריאל עם ד"ר ארתור מצ'ין (רופא שיניים מומחה לשיקום הפה (פרוסטודונט), בעל מיומנות גבוהה ומסור לקידום הטיפול הדנטלי בקרב מטופלים קשישים.

21/04/2026

We join the nation in honoring and remembering the soldiers and civilians who were tragically taken from their families and friends. We hold in our hearts all those who have been touched by this loss, and this year we honor the memory of Nickolas Berger, a longtime DVI patient, who fell in defense of the country during the Iron Sword War.

Sergeant First Class (res.), Nickolas Berger, z"l

Nickolas Berger was born on April 15, 2001, in Jerusalem to Diana, and grew up in the Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood. Nickolas was a dedicated student, known for his perseverance, quiet strength, and deep sense of compassion. From a young age, Nickolas stood up for others, guided by a strong moral compass and a natural instinct to protect those around him.

Nickolas served in a combat unit in the Givati Brigade, where he became a leading marksman and a valued member of his unit. After completing his military service, he worked as a security guard on the Jerusalem light rail, where he acted with courage and prevented two terrorist attacks, earning recognition for saving lives. He also volunteered with children in need and aspired to join a special unit in the Israel Police.

On October 7, 2023, at the outbreak of the war, Nickolas immediately reported for reserve duty. He served as a soldier in Battalion 8208 of the 261st Brigade and was described by his commanders as “the light of the platoon,” carrying out every mission with dedication and professionalism.

On January 22, 2024, Nickolas was killed in action during an operation in central Gaza. Nicholas was 22 years old and is survived by his mother, brother, and two sisters.

Nickolas was a longtime DVI patient. Nicholas was always gentle, kind, and polite, and often helped his sisters through their dental treatments -- always with care and patience.

Nickolas is deeply missed. May his memory be a blessing.

15/04/2026

Meet H.
H. is a twenty-one-year-old young man from an ultra-Orthodox background, the eighth of ten children. At the age of sixteen, he made the difficult decision to leave that lifestyle—and with it, his home. He went on to live in a youth village and later joined pre-army preparatory programs. At twenty, he was drafted into the IDF.
A determined and motivated individual, H. successfully qualified for Special Operations Forces. However, eight months into the training, he was released from the program and is currently awaiting reassignment, with the hope of joining a commando unit.
Due to his family circumstances, H. enlisted as a lone soldier and does not benefit from family support. Organizations such as the Michael Levin Lone Soldier Center and Hillel—both partners of DVI—have played a vital role in supporting him over the years. While he maintains occasional contact with his mother and visits home from time to time, he removes his army uniform before entering his ultra-Orthodox community.
At present, H. finds himself in a particularly difficult position. While waiting for reassignment, he is in a state of limbo: He is not eligible for lone soldier housing benefits during this interim period and has no stable source of income. He expects his next IDF placement to be finalized in the summer.
At DVI, we strive to go beyond clinical care by leveraging our community network to support our patients holistically. After learning of H.’s situation, we connected him with an individual who works extensively with lone soldiers and may be able to assist with temporary employment. H. also shared that he trained as a medic during his Special Operations training and volunteered with Magen David Adom prior to his enlistment. We will continue to support him in exploring relevant opportunities when the time is right.
Following X-rays and an initial examination by our Clinic Director, Dr. Roy Petel, H. received treatment from a Hadassah Dental resident, including restorative care for cavities and a comprehensive oral hygiene treatment.

12/04/2026

جمعية أطباء أسنان متطوعون لإسرائيل (DVI)
تأسست جمعية "أطباء أسنان متطوعون لأجل إسرائيل قبل أكثر من 45 سنة، فكانت الجمعية الوحيدة في البلاد التي تقدّم علاجات أسنان مجانية للأطفال، اليافعين والشباب من جيل 4 سنوات حتى جيل 27 ربيعّا. وما لبثت أن توسعت رقعة خدماتها عام 2016 لتشمل علاجات إعادة تأهيل كاملة للفم، بما فيها تحضير أطقم أسنان مجانية بالكامل. وفي إطار التعاون مع كلية طب الأسنان في هداسا عين كارم أصبحت الجمعية تقدّم علاجاتها من جيل 27 حتى 54 أيضّا.
من هي الفئة المستفيدة من خدمات الجمعية؟
يتم استقبال المتعالجين الذين يحصلون على تحويل من مكاتب الرفاه الاجتماعية في البلدية، تشمل: منظمات رعاية الشباب في ضائقة، ملاجئ النساء المعنّفات، دور العجزة وجهات مجتمعية أخرى.
آلية تحديد موعد:
تحديد موعد مشروط بإرفاق شهادة استحقاق سارية المفعول (أ أو ب) من مكاتب الرفاه الاجتماعية
أو وجود المتعالج ضمن الفئة العمرية المخوّلة لتلقي خدمات "سلة التأهيل" الموجودة في سجلات وزارة الصحة.
رؤية الجمعية:
تضع الجمعية نصب عينيها صحة الفم والأسنان كقيمة عليا، فتقدّم العلاجات والإرشادات للحفاظ على نظافة الفم وسط متابعة مهنية مستمرة من الطاقم الطبي، دون أي تفرقة دينية أو عرقية.
إحصائيات وأرقام:
تقدّم الجمعية سنويّا علاجات لما يقارب 25000 متعالج، كما وتجرى أكثر من 10,000 علاجات بمستوى مهني عالٍ جدًا، على أيدي أطباء أسنان متطوعين من البلاد وخارجها يعملون بتفانٍ ودون أي مقابل مادي.
للتواصل:
سكرتيرة الجمعية: طاليا فبلنسكي
أيام الأحد، الاثنين، الثلاثاء، والخميس.
من الساعة 08:00 صباحًا وحتى 12:45 ظهرّا
هاتف رقم: 6783144-02.
عنوان العيادة: شارع "مكور حاييم" 29، القدس

31/03/2026

Meet M.
M. is a 48-year-old IDF reserve soldier and the father of seven children, ages five to twenty-four. His two eldest sons are currently serving in the IDF. In civilian life, M. is a sofer stom—a scribe who writes Torah scrolls and mezuzot.
Since October 7th, M. has served more than 700 days in reserve duty!
For several weeks, M. suffered from severe tooth pain but was unable to seek treatment due to his service. Each night, he relied on pain medication just to sleep. When his wife saw an announcement about the Clinic’s emergency dental initiative for reservists, she immediately scheduled an appointment.
Upon examination, we discovered a large cavity in a wisdom tooth. As an initial intervention, the cavity was treated, the tooth was prepared for a root canal, and M. received a thorough cleaning—care that is expected to relieve his pain and stabilize his condition.
Like our Lone Soldiers Program, which treats soldiers from across the country regardless of geographic eligibility, our Reservists Initiative provides urgent dental care to soldiers of all ages and from all regions.
By offering first-aid dental treatment, DVI ensures that those who care for all of us are also cared for.
On the day of his appointment, a siren sounded, and M. joined our team in the clinic’s saferoom.
Although exempt from reserve duty at his age, M. felt compelled to serve. A former combat soldier in the Paratroopers Brigade, he could not remain at home while Israel fought for its survival. Following the October 7th attacks, when roads in the South were unsafe, the army issued an urgent call for volunteers with jeeps to assist with transporting the wounded, delivering supplies, and moving soldiers to and from combat zones.
That same day, a new unit was formed within the Logistics Corps: the Har Tzion Mobile Unit. Three hundred volunteers arrived immediately with their private vehicles—M. among them. Today, the unit has grown to over 1,200 volunteers. The average age of the reserve soldier serving there is 55, well above the standard age (40 for soldiers and 45 for officers, recently extended by one year due to wartime need).
The Har Tzion Mobile Unit operates nationwide, conducting patrols across Israel, including in Gaza and along the northern border. The army relies on the experience, responsibility, and commitment of these volunteers. Amid ongoing missile attacks from Iran and Lebanon, the unit is now deployed across 181 locations, often responding first at missile impact sites.
As M. explains, because the only requirement for joining the unit is owning and driving a jeep, its members reflect the full diversity of Israeli society. It is yet another powerful expression of unity in a time of national crisis.

M. was treated by Dr. Stu Shaffren, one of our long-standing volunteer dentists, who managed to arrive in Israel just before the airports closed again. Dr. Shaffren, too, has grandchildren currently serving in the IDF.

19/03/2026

עמותת – רופאי שיניים מתנדבים לישראל נוסדה בשנת 1980 על ידי הגברת טרודי בירגר ז"ל, ניצולת שואה, אשר נדרה להקדיש את חייה לרווחת ילדים ונוער נזקקים בישראל והקימה מרפאה ייחודית שבה יינתנו טיפולי שיניים איכותיים ללא תשלום לילדים ובני נוער.
כיום, למעלה מ-45 שנה אחרי הקמתה היא המרפאה היחידה בישראל המעניקה טיפולי שיניים חינם לחלוטין – וללא השתתפות עצמית – לילדים, בני נוער וצעירים בגילאי 4 עד 26. מאז 2016, פעילות המרפאה הורחבה גם לקשישים וניצולי שואה, שזוכים לשיקום פה מלא (כולל תותבות) – ללא עלות. בשנת 2023 בעקבות מלחמת חורבות ברזל הרחבנו שוב את פעילותנו, והחלנו להעניק טיפולי שיניים גם למפוני הדרום והצפון, לחיילי מילואים ולחיילים בודדים.
המרפאה מטפלת בכ-2500 מטופלים בשנה ומבצעת למעלה מ-10,000 טיפולים – כולם באיכות מקצועית מהגבוהות ביותר ובאמצעות רופאי שיניים מתנדבים מכל רחבי העולם, שפועלים במסירות, על חשבונם וללא תגמול. הרופאים מגיעים עם תחושת ציונות עמוקה ורצון עז לסייע ולתרום לחברה הישראלית!

Dental Volunteers for Israel - DVI

03/06/2026

10/05/2026

06/05/2026

29/04/2026

28/04/2026

21/04/2026

15/04/2026

12/04/2026

31/03/2026

19/03/2026

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