Eco-Friendly Pediatric Dental Practice Launches in California

July 17, 2010 - PRLog -- Greenbrae, CA ---- Gila C. Dorostkar, DDS, announced today that upon completion and certification approval, the 2500 square-foot pediatric dentistry practice facility located at 1300 South Eliseo Drive in Greenbrae, California, endeavors to be the first private pediatric dental practice in the U.S. to be awarded LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).   LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.  Gila C. Dorostkar, DDS, will be the first pediatric dental practice outside a university setting to achieve this designation.  Based on well-founded scientific standards, LEED emphasizes state of the art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.  The practice is also member of the Eco-Dentistry Association (EDA) and anticipates becoming a Charter-Certified GreenDOC™ dental office. The EDA’s GreenDOC Dental Office Certification Program is the only green business certification designed specifically for dentistry.

According to project manager John G. Millar, “In late 2008, we felt it was time to modernize the practice to ensure we are providing the best possible dental experience --- it took until mid-2009 to locate a suitable build-out space.  Our primary objective was to create an office that is not only environmentally friendly and takes advantage of the latest dental technology, but also one where both children and parents can have a positive dental experience.  We’ve taken additional measures outside the LEED process to create a healthy environment---we’re in the forefront of pediatric dentistry as a specialty and work hard to promote children’s health.  We’ve always been actively involved in the community of Marin County, which is on the leading edge of healthy living, so it’s a natural progression for us to translate this philosophy into our work environment.  Our LEED certification in the category of Commercial Interiors is a gratifying testament to that.”

The architectural layout revolves around a spacious reception area that utilizes abundant natural light and glass walls to decrease electrical lighting needs. The floor plan was carefully designed to create a healthy, bright and welcoming atmosphere, geared toward making children feel at
ease.  “Our new eco-friendly environment reaffirms our commitment to the health of our young patients, the dental community, and the public”, explains Dr. Gila Dorostkar.  “We hope
this eco-friendly facility will demonstrate that we can still have a beautiful, functional, office while taking steps to minimize our environmental impact.”

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), dental cavities are the single most common chronic disease of childhood. In a 2007 report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay in baby teeth of children aged 2 to 5 years increased from 24 percent to 28 percent between 1988-1994 and 1999-2004.  This was the only age group to experience an increase. The AAPD advises that children schedule an initial visit with a dentist no later than their first birthday. They also recommend properly caring for baby teeth, correct use of a bottle or sippy cup, and limiting the amount and frequency of sugary and starchy snacks.

Dr. Dorostkar adds, “There are additional lifestyle factors that are contributing to the rise of cavities in young children.  With the increase in bottled water consumption, fluoride from tap water isn’t providing the benefit through our drinking water system as it was intended.  Families are on the go more than ever and frequent snacking results in more frequent acid exposure, which contributes to the breakdown of the tooth enamel. When the oral environment doesn’t get a chance to neutralize and the mouth pH stays low, it can begin to dissolve the tooth structure.
Also, juices, sodas, and sports drinks can be loaded with sugar and highly acidic. It’s important for parents to remember that oral health affects a child’s overall health and that good habits should be established as soon as the first tooth comes in.”         

LEED was established for market leaders to design buildings that protect and save precious resources, improve the wellbeing of occupants and make good economic sense.  The certification process considers site selection, water and energy use, building materials, indoor environmental quality and a variety of other sustainable strategies.  A sample of sustainable practices of the Gila C. Dorostkar pediatric dentistry project includes: water conservation/quality, energy conservation, state-of-the-art steam sterilization procedures, an extensive recycling program, moving toward a paperless office environment and ambient air to cool computer systems. Additional information may be located at www.drdorostkar.com.

About Gila C. Dorostkar, DDS
Dr. Gila Dorostkar is a Board Certified Pediatric Specialist who began practicing in Marin County in 1997 and is an advocate for children’s health with leadership roles in the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry (CSPD) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).  Dr. Dorostkar also donates her expertise by treating children who might otherwise not have access to a Pediatric Specialist and supports numerous local school foundations and children’s programs.  She has most recently been invited to become a Fellow of the American College of Dentists in recognition of her leadership efforts in the field of Dentistry, to be bestowed in October 2010.  

About the Eco-Dentistry Association
The Eco-Dentistry Association provides the dental industry with tools to integrate green practices efficiently and effectively, and supports the public in taking personal responsibility for their dental health care choices.  It combines stewardship of client health with stewardship of planetary health.  The Association provides training and education for the dental industry to implement eco-friendly practices, technical assistance for dental providers in greening the profession and a network to share eco-friendly values.  www.ecodenistry.org.
About the U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit organization composed of leaders from across the building industry working to advance building that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.  The LEED Green Building Rating System™ is a voluntary, consensus-based national green certification system for developing high performance, sustainable buildings.  www.usgbc.org.

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