Every Child Deserves a Happy Smile Dental health is much beyond actual health; it affects a man's self esteem, self assurance and his involvement and participation in human society. Many children of families in need do not go through dental treatment at young age, due to its high costs. When they grow up their dental situation aggravates and the treatment is much more expensive. Dr. Yizhak Kadman, the Chairman of the Child Health Committee, says: "Needy children in Israel are both neglected and in pain. The national insurance does not include preventive treatments, which has severe implications on dental health of children in general, and especially that of children among populations in distress. Researches held abroad showed that the situation of dental problems among children in Israel is severe in comparison with most developed western countries. Families that belong to needy populations have reported, almost twice than average families, that dental problems have impaired their quality of life". The State Comptroller's Report for 2004 reported that dental health of Israeli children (especially at the ages 6 to 12) is graded last in comparison with other western states. One-to-One has been receiving for years requests to assist many young children with very severe dental problems. The cost of such treatment is very high and calls for a long process of levying funds from many resources. We, in One-to-One have decided to do something for the dental health of such children, ages 6 and up, and to offer them a relatively cheap and well controlled treatment, in order to prevent the painful and expensive problems at an older age. One of our donors has come up with a creative idea – to purchase a collective dental insurance program for children. The program's concept – we will pay the premium for the insurance, and the children will go through dental periodic obligatory checkups, periodic treatments by a dental assistant and preservative treatments such as fillings, extractions, crowns and root canals as needed (except for orthodontic). A monitoring array composed of social workers or volunteers will make sure the children under the program are examined and treated according to plan. With the assistance of the welfare authorities and social help in each city, we will locate needy children and will help them. We will cover a part of the required amount, with the assistance of private donors who have already promised a generous donation, will collect a symbolic payment from the children's families, and we are also asking you – personally - to help. A donation of 25 shekel a month, for three years (the insurance period) will promise a continuous treatment for one child. Donations may be done: in Israel, through a form that may be downloaded from the fellowship's site; in the US – through PEF, as detailed in the site. All donations are acceptable for tax refund. Thank you on behalf of "Your Child". One-to-One A fellowship of donors and volunteers – a non-profit organization, established to help needy people on various matters such as medical assistance, education and basic needs. Our goal – to complement the welfare efforts of municipalities and other welfare fellowships One-to-One operates throughout the countries, through several branches, focusing on the needs of populations in a defined geographic area. One-to-One operates through campaigns and focused projects in areas of great distress. The whole amount of donation fully finds its way to the needy (there are no overhead expenses!) We cherish the right of privacy of both donors and those in need. Our web site address: http://www.121.org.il |