January 2, 2013

For years, partnerships between the United States and Israel have revolved around the military and economics. Now, dentistry can be added to that list.

Beverly Hills dentist David Frey has helped raise thousands of dollars for the Jerusalem Dental Center for Children, a nonprofit that provides high-quality dental and preventative care at subsidized rates to families in Jerusalem and throughout Israel.

“There wasn’t a place that was providing quality dentistry for low-income patients” before the founding of the Jerusalem center, explained Frey, who said he has collected nearly $10,000 for the clinic.

After completing dental school in San Francisco, Frey traveled to Israel in 1990 and worked at the clinic when he was 24 years old. He grew to admire Dr. Isaac Perle, founder of the Jerusalem Dental Center, and fell in love with Israel.

“I delved into the Israeli culture,” Frey said.

Afterward, Frey started his private practice Beverly Hills, leaving Israel — and the center — behind, until he received a recent phone call from Perle. The clinic was in need of funding, Perle told Frey. It had been 20 years since the two had spoken, but Frey said he was happy to help.

On Dec. 6, Frey organized a benefit in Beverly Hills that raised thousands of dollars to support Perle’s efforts. Perle attended the event, which drew approximately 100 people, including Frey’s patients, friends and colleagues. The fundraiser also marked the opening of Frey’s new Beverly Hills dental suite, where the benefit was held.

Frey is continuing to accept donations on behalf of Perle’s center at jerusalemdental.org/Donate.html.