Children and youth living below the poverty line typically suffer far more severe 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.

Yet, with the gift of a toothbrush, toothpaste and some solid education, the oral health of these kids is being improved for life, and they remain in school, where they belong. Therefore, DVI reaches out to poor children and youth across Jerusalem, teaching them oral hygiene education, including proper diet & teeth care.

DVI provides oral health education to thousands of low-income children and at-risk youth through the Donald Berman Oral Health Education Program. The Oral Health Education Program, is located in a separate wing from the clinic, in fact, in its own building. The classroom itself was renovated in 2010, transforming it from a storage room which doubled as a classroom to a proper Oral Health classroom, complete with sinks, stepstools, mirrors, display cabinets, benches, instructional posters and models and more. The Oral Health wing also includes the hygienist room – between that room and the classroom are activity (or waiting) rooms. These rooms were outfitted with oral health education games, books, activities and a flat screen television which shows oral health videos.

Progressive Course Curriculum includes:

• Awareness of the need for oral hygiene
• What is plaque? How do I get it?
• How to brush teeth properly
• How to use floss
• What do I have teeth for, anyway?
• What is an infection of the gums?
• How does the food I eat effect my oral health?
• Smoking and oral health