SAN ANTONIO, TX, December 11, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Texas-based Stone Oak Orthodontics announced today that they have achieved LEED certification, becoming the nation's first single-doctor orthodontic practice to receive a Green Interior rating. "LEED" stands for "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design," and it is an internationally-recognized "green" building certification system that promotes sustainable building and development practices.
Orthodontist Dr Robert 'Tito' Norris had long desired to combine his successful orthodontic practice with his passion for helping the environment. Today, the result is national recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council for high-performance, "green" building.
By incorporating solar power, wind power, recycled materials, automated lighting, clean air technology, BioFoam Insulation, and a host of other features, architect Brent Anderson and his team from MSA Architecture & Planning in San Antonio helped Dr. Norris achieve his environmental dream.
"A significant amount of our office lighting comes from sky lights, and our electricity is 30% solar and 70% wind-powered," said Dr Norris, owner of Stone Oak Orthodontics. "From recycled paper to electronic medical records (EMR), everything we do incorporates recycling, reducing, and reusing."
LEED certification recognizes only those building projects that achieve the highest environmental ratings for sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, consumption of materials and resources, and indoor environment quality. Based on a point system, Stone Oak Orthodontics exceeded LEED standards and was awarded LEED certification.
"Achieving LEED certification represents a commitment between the client and the design team to achieve a sustainable facility," added Mr. Anderson. "One of the main challenges for LEED certification on the Stone Oak Orthodontics project was the context of the existing commercial development. Originally it had been built without specific sustainable implementations.
"Working with Stone Oak Orthodontics gave us an opportunity to create an energy efficient space that carefully used natural resources, and offered a superior sensory environment. Our specific viable solutions helped Dr Norris to become the first Orthodontist to satisfy the requirements for LEED certification."
"Many of our patients are adolescents," said Dr Norris. "Teaching them to care for themselves and their environment is crucial. So we integrated our leading-edge orthodontic technology and treatment procedures with an efficient, eco-friendly environment, assuring patients that their world was being cared for as well as they were.
"Saving energy, protecting resources and safeguarding our planet is as important as safeguarding oral health," concluded Dr Norris. "We like to say that we are saving Mother Earth one smile at a time."
About Stone Oak Orthodontics:
18720 Stone Oak Parkway #207 - San Antonio, TX 78258 - (210) 402-3322
As South Texas' premier orthodontics practice, Stone Oak Orthodontics has been providing leading-edge orthodontic treatment since 1998. Orthodontist Dr Robert "Tito" Norris is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics (meaning he is board-certified) and he has been a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center. Dr Norris is a published medical author and has lectured throughout the United States and Asia.
Dr. Norris is a Certified Invisalign provider, being one of the nations' original providers, as well as one of the original providers of the Damon System. In addition, Dr Norris proudly provides In-Ovation and Suresmile. Contact our office for a New Patient Exam to find out how Stone Oak Orthodontics can help you achieve the smile of your dreams!
Website: http://www.stoneoakortho.com Blog: http://orthodontistsanantonio.com
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