Hamilton Mill Orthodontics, owned by Alec Elchahal, DMD, MS (pictured), has been awarded the Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the US Green Building Council, making it the first LEED-certified orthodontic practice in Georgia.

LEED certification offers third-party verification that the building was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance such as energy savings, water efficiency, and CO2 emissions. According to an announcement from PracticeWorks, the 5,400 square-foot orthodontic office, located in Dacula, Ga, opened on June 1 after a 9-month construction process.

“Receiving the LEED certification was very important to us as we thought about how to design our new office,” said Elchahal, owner of Hamilton Mill Orthodontics, Johns Creek Orthodontics, and Vickery Orthodontics. “There are many opportunities to make an office environmentally friendly, but we took the extra steps to get the certification knowing our patients would appreciate the difference.”

To adhere to LEED standards, Elchahal and his team selected practice-management and digital imaging systems that conserve with energy and resources. The office switched from paper to electronic charting by implementing KODAK ORTHOTRAC Practice Management Software, and also installed the redesigned KODAK 8000C Digital Extraoral System.

“We are excited to be a part of Dr. Elchahal’s new practice, offering great features to help his practice be more environmentally and patient friendly,” said Susan Whitt, orthodontic product line manager at PracticeWorks.