| Aug 27, 2008 |
BMDC Grand Opening |
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The Ben Massell Dental Clinic opened the doors to its 7,900 square foot state-of-the-art facility at 700 14th Street in Midtown. Easily accessible by MARTA, the new clinic features 16 patient stations, outfitted with advanced medical equipment, as well as two hygiene rooms, a large laboratory, x-ray room and sterilization area.
Until today, the clinic operated out of a tiny space in Midtown with no handicap accessibility. The new facility greatly expands the clinic’s service to Atlanta. The Ben Massell Dental Clinic expects to double its patient capacity over the next three years to serve more than 9,000 patients annually.
“Dental care, which is so important to overall health, should not be a luxury reserved for the privileged. With the opening of our new facility, The Ben Massell Dental Clinic now provides Atlanta’s indigent and working poor a dental office that exceeds the capabilities of most high-end dental offices around the country,” said Gary Miller, CEO of Jewish Family and Career Services, the parent organization of The Ben Massell Dental Clinic. “Our patients come from all walks of life, and they deserve exceptional medical care whether or not they can afford it.”
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In 2006, the Clinic launched a capital campaign to raise $3.85 million. By 2007, more than $5.5 million was raised to fund the new facility and equipment, exceeding all expectations.
Today, more than 100 dental professionals volunteer their time at the Clinic. Ben Massell is aggressively recruiting more dentists to meet the anticipated demand for services. For these volunteer dentists, it’s a wonderful opportunity to “give back” to dentistry while working on equipment that’s 5 years ahead of their own practice.
“Our volunteer dentists are literally saving lives with the work they do at the Clinic. In this new facility, we give them the opportunity to work with the newest technology and collaborate with other top professionals in their field. But, they give us so much more in return. These inspiring dentists help our patients stay in school, get jobs, and fight previously undetected health problems,” said David Zelby D.M.D., chief of staff at the Clinic.
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Founded in 1911, The Ben Massell Dental Clinic is the first dental clinic in the U.S., and the only clinic in Georgia, that is fully staffed by volunteer dentists and offers comprehensive care, including fillings, extractions, endodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, orthodontics and prosthetics. Serving patients who fall at least 125 percent below the poverty line, the clinic offers hygiene training and prevention education as well as social work services.
More than 200,000 people in the 12-county Atlanta area need and qualify for the Clinic’s services. In 2007 more than 14,500 procedures were performed at the Clinic on over 6,000 patients. The Ben Massell Dental Clinic is the only charity dental provider in Atlanta to provide comprehensive dental services to HIV-positive individuals who are financially disadvantaged.
The Clinic was designed by architect Ted Taylor and expects to earn LEED certification soon after opening. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) designation establishes Ben Massell as a leader in public health and environmental sustainability. Among the green features of the Clinic are: energy efficient windows , lighting, and HVAC mechanical systems. All wall and floor coverings are made of recyclable materials, mostly sourced from within 50 miles of the Clinic to reduce transportation costs. Landscaping makes use of drought tolerant plants and there’s even special parking for hybrid cars and bicycles. |
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| Additional media coverage: Atlanta Woman |
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