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"SMILES IN SPITE OF TERROR": HADASSAH PROVIDES FREE DENTAL TREATMENT TO ISRAELIS INJURED IN TERROR ATTACKS
 Dr. Allan Howard (right) of Los Angeles and Prof. Noah Stern of the Hebrew University Hadassah School of Dental Medicine provide dental care to a terror victim Smiles in Spite of Terror," an ongoing program at the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, provides free treatment to Israelis who were injured in terror attacks. The program was initiated by dentists from around the world, especially from the US and Britain, who wanted to make a contribution to Israel's battle against terror, in which thousands of people have suffered severe injuries, in addition to those killed. Two Los Angeles dentists, Dr. Allan Howard and Dr. Oded Bahat, spearheaded the project. Dr. Howard is a graduate of the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine and served on the staff of the school for a time. Dr. Bahat is an Israeli citizen who studied abroad. Potential patients' names are supplied to the Dental School by the National Insurance Institute. The school currently focuses on people who have been declared 50% or more disabled because of the terror-related injuries. The program, which already has provided dental care to more than 70 people injured in terror attacks, has a potential to reach hundreds of people. The care - administered by dentists and dental assistants in the Dental School clinic -- is in addition to the medical care for more severe injuries to the mouth and face that are covered by the Israel National Insurance Institute. The Dental School's treatment involves conservative care for the more usual dental problems, including x-rays. Among those who have been cared for are handicapped patients who are unable to walk, children, a bus driver whose bus was blown up, students and new immigrants. The first patients were those injured in the terrorist bombing attack last July 31 at the Frank Sinatra Student Center cafeteria on the Hebrew University Mount Scopus campus. Prof. Jonathan Mann, dean of the Hebrew University's Faculty of Dental Medicine, said that the total cost of the "Smiles in Spite of Terror" program could reach half a million dollars. Financial support thus far has come from donations contributed through the PEF Israel Endowment Funds, the Hadassah Women's Zionist Organization, the Alpha Omega Fraternity, the American Friends of the Hebrew University and individual donations. Both Dr. Howard and Dr. Bahat have personally come to Israel to provide volunteer dental care for the terrorist victims, in addition to the money they have contributed and raised from others for the program.
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