The Hebrew University-Hadassah school of dental medicine has established the Robert I Schattner Oral Health Centre for People with Disabilities, a facility designed to provide dental care for individuals with physical, cognitive and complex medical conditions.
This centre was established with support from the Schattner Foundation, Henry Schein, and the Bergman Family Charitable Foundation. Representatives from the partner organisations attended the opening event, including Sidney Bresler of the Schattner Foundation, Stanley M Bergman of Henry Schein, and Dr Marion Bergman representing the Bergman Family Charitable Foundation.
According to the university, the centre forms part of its broader efforts to expand access to oral healthcare and professional training in the treatment of patients with disabilities. The facility includes five treatment rooms and is expected to treat approximately 30 to 40 patients per day. Care will be delivered by dental specialists and interns across multiple disciplines, with the aim of providing coordinated treatment within a single setting.
The school of dental medicine currently includes both theoretical and clinical instruction on treating patients with special needs within its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The new centre is intended to expand training opportunities for students and staff, support clinical and basic research, and host continuing professional development courses for community-based dentists.
The university stated that the centre is expected to contribute to the development of specialised dental services for people with disabilities within Israel and the wider region.
Commenting on the initiative, Prof Avraham Zini, dean of the Hebrew University-Hadassah school of dental medicine, said the centre addresses ongoing challenges faced by people with disabilities in accessing dental care and will also support professional training in this area.
Representatives of the supporting organisations highlighted the centre’s focus on access to care and professional education. Stanley Bergman, chairman and chief executive officer of Henry Schein, noted the role of training future dental professionals alongside the delivery of care to patients with special needs.
Naama Kaufman-Fass, director general of Hebrew University, said the centre builds on the faculty of dental medicine’s long-standing clinical and educational activities, while Prof Yoram Weiss, director general of the Hadassah Medical Organisation, emphasised the importance of accessible and adapted care for patients with disabilities.
The initiative has also been welcomed by the Ministry of Health. Ayelet Greenbaum-Arizon, senior deputy director for strategic and economic planning, said the centre aligns with national policies aimed at improving access to healthcare services for populations with special needs.
