The Ben Massell Dental Clinic (BMDC) is the only resource for comprehensive, quality dental care available to indigent individuals in metro Atlanta. In addition to the medical issues associated with lack of proper dental care, oral disease can take an incalculable emotional toll. By restoring dental health, the Clinic has a life-changing impact on more than 6,000 patients each year.
Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS) is the parent organization and operator of the Clinic. A nonprofit, nonsectarian human service agency founded in 1890, JF&CS boasts a rich tradition of fostering volunteerism and community service. BMDC is a prime example. The Clinic was the first facility in North America to utilize volunteer dentists to provide every specialty in dentistry and the only facility of its kind in Georgia.
A Legacy of Care
The Ben Massell Dental Clinic traces its roots to 1911 when philanthropist Morris Hirsch established the Morris Hirsch Clinic to provide outpatient medical services to those unable to afford care. A dental program was added to the clinic in 1929.
In 1956, Dr. Irving M. Goldstein, a dentist and former Chief of Staff at the Morris Hirsch Clinic, and Dr. Marvin Goldstein, his brother and successor, recognized the need to move the dental clinic from its location in downtown Atlanta. They enlisted the help of Ben Massell, one of Atlanta's premier builders and developers, who ultimately acquired a location on Pryor Street.
For a time, the clinic thrived in its new home. In 1959, however, urban renewal and eminent domain laws made it necessary for the clinic to move. Again, Ben Massell, with help from the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, secured the clinic a new home, this time on 7th Street in midtown Atlanta where it remained for 49 years. In honor of his involvement, assistance and financial generosity, the clinic was renamed the Ben Massell Dental Clinic.
From this two-story, 2,000 square-foot facility, the staff
and all-volunteer dental force restored health and hope to an average of 6,000 patients each year for almost 50 years.
It wasn't without its shortcomings, however. Two of the greatest challenges for staff and patients were parking and non-existent handicapped accessibility. Staff were known to frequently carry patients into the building and downstairs to the restrooms.
Additionally, in its latter years, the volunteer dentists were performing thousands of procedures with donated equipment that was outdated and worn. Even so, this clinic has been honored nationally and internationally for its innovative model and for its dentists’ tangible devotion to accessible healthcare for underserved Atlantans.
In 2005, Gary Miller, CEO of Jewish Family & Career Services, took on the daunting task of bringing the clinic into the 21st Century. For three years, he championed the cause to some of the dental world and community's biggest leaders. He enlisted the help of Cathy Selig-Kuranoff, granddaughter of Ben Massell, to chair the capital campaign that would eventually top $5.5 million in monetary and in-kind capital and endowment funding.
The new Ben Massell Dental Clinic "broke ground" on November 13, 2007, though not a traditional ground-breaking since an existing building was purchased at 700 Fourteenth Street, and then renovated. Led by coordinating architect Ted H. Taylor; consulting architects and designers, Gary Kirkus, Atlanta Dental, and Gary Lowery, Atlanta Design; and consulting designer Steve Wagner, BencoDental; construction is scheduled to be complete in October 2008.
Dr. David Zelby is an Atlanta-based prosthodontist and current Chief of Staff. When not volunteering at BMDC, he operates Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta. He is a gifted dentist who taught at Emory University Dental School for more than a dozen years and has spent three centuries perfecting the smiles of thousands of patients.
Thirty years ago, he remembers, he took a ride with Dr. Irving Goldstein, his boss and one of the men most responsible for the Ben Massell Dental Clinic. The two drove down to the clinic building on 7th Street. “‘Dr. Goldstein said, ‘I’d like you to work here once a month,’” Zelby recalls. He’s done that ever since, upping his time to two days a month and now supervising a staff of more than 100 dentists.
Deborah Fluker (Left) is the clinic manager. She has been at the clinic since 1977. Barbara Jones, clinic supervisor, has worked at BMDC since 1975.
This dynamic duo has been the "anchor" for the clinic for more than 30 years. They are responsible for all of the administrative duties and scheduling of patients and dentists.
Current location
700 Fourteenth St. NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
(P) 404.881.1858
(F) 404.885.1581
