Dental office gets nod for eco-friendly design

The country's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified dental office recently opened its doors in Portland, OR.

Mint Dental Works' design incorporates environmentally friendly materials. Its custom dental cabinetry, for example, is constructed locally with 100% preconsumer recycled wood fiber particleboard, according to the office Web site. The office is mercury-free and uses digital equipment and natural cleaning products. It is lit with compact fluorescent lighting and occupancy sensors for energy savings.

"We have installed low-flow fixtures, energy star appliances, and sensor-operated faucets. Our dry evacuation system is a new dental technology that uses no water -- a huge savings compared to a traditional system that consumes approximately a gallon a minute," the practice states on its Web site.

"Although it is exciting that our practice will be the first LEED-certified dental office in the [U.S.], what ultimately means the most to me ... is our ability to provide extraordinary comprehensive care for our patients in the healthiest possible environment," Jason McMillan, D.M.D., the practice owner recently told SideKick magazine.