The Nation’s First “Green” Oral Surgery Office

April 13, 2009 - PRLog -- Chicago, IL -  ORA Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, the nation’s first “green” oral surgery practice, recently opened in a spectacular fully renovated, sustainable space off of Michigan Avenue in Chicago. This innovative practice blends a truly unique eco-friendly healing environment with state-of-the-art technology and the delivery of ‘green healthcare’.

“I want ORA to lead the way for the next generation of dental and medical offices, creating a healthier, more environmentally responsible and sustainable health care experience” says Steven Koos D.D.S., M.D., lead developer and environmental advocate.  “I have always employed a preventative, minimally invasive treatment philosophy with my patients, so it was only natural to extend that approach to the environment with my daily clinical and business practices.”

Dr. Koos not only carefully planned and built a sustainable, green healing facility, but he is also an industry leader with the practice of green healthcare. “I set out from the beginning to design a surgical practice that reflects my commitment to the well-being of my patients, my team members, my community, and the environment.”  

The creation of his oral surgery practice strictly followed GGHC (Green Guide for Healthcare) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards throughout all construction, interior design, and current operational phases. Concern for the global environment and sustainable development — minimizing the impact of consumption of renewable resources — is a necessary and growing consideration for everyone. More specifically, within the healthcare industry, actual documented medical waste generation from the WHO (World Health Organization) for North America alone is approximately 6lbs/person/year, which is an astounding 1,108,000 tons of hazardous waste per year and growing.

Given this, Dr. Koos sees that the opportunities in the dental industry are significant to improve environmental quality through diligent green planning, design, construction and subsequent operations and maintenance practices.  “The medical field has already demonstrated a growing eco-consciousness and, as both a physician and dentist, I want to bridge the gap and bring the dental industry on board with delivering green healthcare as well.”  

Unfortunately, the vast majority of all healthcare settings: ambulatory facilities, hospitals, urgent-care facilities, medical and dental offices utilize PBT (persistent bio-accumulative toxins), VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and other harmful chemicals and elements that, with exposure, can adversely affect the health of team members, patients, and the environment. Dr. Koos has taken a proactive stance with regard to eliminating these within his facility and would like to usher in a true paradigm shift within the private practice sector for delivering safer and more eco-friendly health care.  

ORA implements a host of environmentally conscious day-to-day health care operations, some of which include a paper-free office with digital charts and digital 3D Cone Beam CT radiographs, a revolutionary green biohazard neutralizing waste disposal system, steam rather than chemical sterilizers, and eco-friendly sterilizing and cleaning products. Doctor Koos is a proud member of the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) and on the advisory board of the EDA (Eco-Dentistry Association). He is an official Endorser of the GGHC (Green Guide for Healthcare) and ORA is an Energy Star partner with the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). He completed the “Leadership in Green Healthcare” Program, and is a partner with HCWH (Health Care Without Harm), Practice Green Health, and the Teleosis Institute, which is a leading advocacy group of healthcare professionals in service of the global environment and sustainable medicine.

Some patient comforts at ORA Oral Surgery & Implant Studio include treatment rooms with in-wall iPod stations to play your own music, Bluetooth headphones, high definition satellite television and radio during treatment, massaging treatment chairs, Wi-Fi within the space, as well as a refreshment bar with organic drinks.  Whether in need of wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, corrective jaw surgery, sedation, general aesthesia, or treatment of any oro-facial ailment, patients will not only be pampered at ORA Oral Surgery and Implant Studio, but they will also be directly helping the environment.

ORA’s new South Loop Chicago practice is located at 1827 S. Michigan Ave. Call (312) 328-9000 or log on to www.orasurgery.com to experience what eco-friendly dentistry is all about.

# # #

About ORA Dental Studio

ORA Dental Studio is the nation’s first ‘green’ group dental practice promoting ‘eco-friendly dentistry' offering comprehensive services such as teeth whitening, Invisalign clear braces, smile makeovers with porcelain veneers, and dental implants.

ORA Dental Studio currently has 2 practice locations in downtown Chicago’s West Loop and South Loop, and plans to open its third practice in Wicker Park in the fall of 2009, and fourth practice in Lakeshore East in the summer of 2010. More information can be found at http://www.oradentalstudio.com.