Dr. Nammy Patel
Green Dentistry
sfgreendentist.com

Dr. Nammy began her San Francisco-based green dental practice three years ago and moved into her new LEED Gold certified digs earlier this year.

We talked teeth on the beautiful, 21 year-old family heirloom office couch and what it means to be a green dentist.

How do you eco?

We try to think of everything. We work in partnership with our clients to make them feel comfortable. From private consultations, a personal office tour, relaxing music, herbal shoulder wraps and organic lip balm, we try to relax our clients. We want you to feel comfortable.

We also want to make sure we don’t contaminate, but still re-use our resources as much as possible. We have a mercury amalgam separator, so old fillings don’t just go down the drain and back into the water system. Most dentists don’t even know about it.

When we designed the office, we wanted to create a completely sustainable space, using materials that are least toxic, including recycled sheetrock and PVC-free vinyl flooring. Our furniture is FSC-certified. Instead of plastic, throw-away seat covers, we use reusable organic cotton. Our office is completely digital, and we work with sustainable merchants, such as Dharma Merchants, who donate 10% of their profits to non-profit organization.

Why did you go eco?

I wanted to combine my profession, lifestyle and religion into one.

I’m from a small village in India. There were trees all around us. I grew up in San Francisco, so I’m a natural treehugger.

What’s your favorite eco tip?

I’m all about minimalism.

Floss, brush your teeth, brush your tongue. Use Recycline’s Preserve Ultrasoft toothbrushes. You can send them back to the company, and they’ll recycle them into a new toothbrush.

EcoLinks

• Recycline
• Dharma Merchant Services
• Green Dentistry