Local doctors bring vision of eco-friendly dentistry to Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois - ORA Dental Studio (ORA) opened its second location in a rehabbed building in the South Loop, Chicago’s fastest growing neighborhood. This stunning 4,200 square foot practice will present a unique, cutting-edge approach to general, aesthetic, and oral surgery services and promises to provide the ultimate dental experience and five-star customer service. ORA delivers the perfect synthesis of a chic, ultra-modern environment, state-of-the-art ‘green’ technology, and ‘eco-friendly’ protocols, services, and products that are uncommon in traditional dental practices and novel in Chicago.

“We wanted our practice to reflect our commitment to the well-being of our patients, our team members, the community, and the environment,” says Dr. Goran Kralj, managing partner and lead dentist at the South Loop location. “In designing our ‘green’ practices the elements we incorporated and the choices we made were specifically implemented with our patients comfort and overall wellness in mind.”

ORA Dental Studio is a dental industry leader in the delivery of Green Healthcare. Through diligent planning they have created high performance green facilities that are a healthy, productive place to work; less costly to operate and maintain; and reduce our environmental footprint. The creation of the South Loop practice strictly followed guidelines and standards set by the two authoritative green organizations, Green Guide for Healthcare (GGHC) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

“The medical field has already demonstrated a growing eco-consciousness and, as both a physician and dentist I want to bridge the gap in the dental industry,” says Dr. Steven Koos, managing partner and oral and maxillofacial surgeon who holds both dental and medical degrees. "We are at the forefront of a major paradigm shift in healthcare, and hope to help transform the dental industry."

Dr. Mladen Kralj, aesthetic dentist and lead developer of the ORA Dental Studio concept, opened ORA’s first practice in the West Loop in 2005. “We want ORA Dental Studio to lead the way for the next generation of eco-friendly dental practices that offer patients a more comprehensive, environmentally conscious dental experience,” says Dr. Kralj.

The doctors of ORA have partnered with the Teleosis Institute, an advocacy group of health professionals who endorse the practice of sustainable medicine; are members of the United States Green Building Council; have become Energy Star partners with the EPA; have partnered with Health Care Without Harm and Practice Green Health: and are collaborating with the Eco Dentistry Association to expand their outreach to the Midwest, as well as with the World Health Organization in their Mercury-Free Health Care Campaign.

ORA’s ‘green technology’ includes fully computerized offices with digital patient charts; Energy Star rated business systems and appliances; digital x-rays that emit 90% less radiation and reduces need for toxic processing chemicals; i-Cat 3D cone beam technology for minimally invasive placement of dental implants; the Demolizer for processing bio-hazardous waste on-site eliminating the need for off-site disposal, incineration, and release of harmful toxins into the environment; DIAGNOdent laser for the early detection of decay; and the SMU3 Ozone Therapy system for the non-invasive treatment of decay and periodontal disease.

At ORA all interior design materials including the finishes, walls, floors, furnishings, fabrics, ceilings and paint were selected for their sustainable properties. ORA’s eco-friendly practices have also extended into the areas of practice site selection; construction; improved air quality; energy and water efficiency; waste and noise reduction; elimination of toxins; patient amenities and marketing materials; and daily administrative practices.

ORA Dental Studio pampers its guests with numerous amenities such as in-wall iPod docks to play their own music, HD satellite TV and radio during treatment, private treatment rooms with massaging dental chairs, complimentary Wi-Fi, and warm, lemon scented facial towels along with an all organic refreshment bar. ORA Dental Studio is currently featured in New Beauty Magazine.More information can be found at www.oradentalstudio.com and www.orasurgery.com.