Jason McMillan, DMD, PC, has announced that his practice, Mint Dental Works, in Portland, Ore, received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ platinum certification for Commercial Interiors. The award makes Mint Dental Works, which began accepting patients in June 2007, the first dental practice in the United States to earn this certification.
LEED is the nationally recognized benchmark for green building and operations, and is given by the US Green Building Council.
“In a professional office that seeks to improve the well-being of its patients, a healthy, green building that reflects this commitment makes good sense,” McMillan said. “We want to demonstrate the relationship between one’s oral and physical health and the health of our environment to our patients, the dental community, and the public.”
Mint Dental features vintage lighting fixtures and a reception area wall composed of old plinth blocks. A state-of-the-art HVAC system provides increased ventilation, and CO2 sensors. Custom dental cabinetry was made with no urea formaldehyde in the manufacturing process. Green cleaning products protect air quality.
According to McMillan, the practice saves an estimated 360 paper towels and 90 gallons of water each day by using a dental evacuation system that uses no water, having sensored faucets, and employing a medical-grade hand sanitizer for hand washing.
McMillan also promotes “eco-dentistry” in his practice by using mercury-free fillings to prevent toxic waste and digital x-rays to reduce patients’ exposure to radiation by up to 90%.
In addition to this certification, Mint Dental Works has received a 2008 BEST Award from the City of Portland, a 2007 Excellence Award for a Green Remodeling Project from the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland, and a Green Building Award through the Oregon Remodelers Association.