Spring Break
SMU alum heads up first Texas eco-friendly dentist office
Christina Geyer, Copy Editor, cgeyer@smu.edu
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: News
Every day that summer, hundreds of Romanian people in need of modern dentistry filtered through the doors of an old Romanian church. Overwhelmed by boxes of antibiotics and dental supplies, this is not your average dental school.
For then dental student and SMU alum, Kim Jackson, the make-shift dental facility was the site of her first tooth extraction - a moment she'll never forget.
"[The Romanian woman] was so happy. She just kept hugging us and even though we can't understand each other, you can tell they are so thankful," said Jackson.
As a student of dentistry, Jackson embraced her ability to have an impact through dentistry with her involvement in the Serving HIM (Healthcare International Ministries) organization. The organization's mission of spreading medical and dental aid worldwide brought Jackson to Romania during the summer of 2003. Doing her part to make a change wasn't short lived and certainly propelled her career as a Dallas dentist.
Now, as the head dentist at Texas' first eco-friendly dental facility, PURE Dental, Jackson is leading a company striving to make a typically non-green field, evergreen.
"I really wanted to be a part of this," said Jackson. "It's affordable, green and the same quality as anywhere else."
Founded by the Dallas-based dentist, Brody Hildebrand, PURE Dental is part of Hildebrand's growing passion to impact the environment and world around him.
Together, Hildebrand and Jackson strive to be more than just dentists. Through being part of an eco-friendly dental practice and reaching out to less fortunate people with dental needs abroad, their dental work is about making a positive world change.
"Dentistry is not just about fixing teeth and making money … there's an appreciation about what we're doing and you can't put a price tag on it," said Hildebrand. "You've got a great opportunity to help other people, you should take advantage of it."
After opening at Mockingbird Station in early March, PURE Dental is one of the first eco-friendly facilities in the country.
For then dental student and SMU alum, Kim Jackson, the make-shift dental facility was the site of her first tooth extraction - a moment she'll never forget.
"[The Romanian woman] was so happy. She just kept hugging us and even though we can't understand each other, you can tell they are so thankful," said Jackson.
As a student of dentistry, Jackson embraced her ability to have an impact through dentistry with her involvement in the Serving HIM (Healthcare International Ministries) organization. The organization's mission of spreading medical and dental aid worldwide brought Jackson to Romania during the summer of 2003. Doing her part to make a change wasn't short lived and certainly propelled her career as a Dallas dentist.
Now, as the head dentist at Texas' first eco-friendly dental facility, PURE Dental, Jackson is leading a company striving to make a typically non-green field, evergreen.
"I really wanted to be a part of this," said Jackson. "It's affordable, green and the same quality as anywhere else."
Founded by the Dallas-based dentist, Brody Hildebrand, PURE Dental is part of Hildebrand's growing passion to impact the environment and world around him.
Together, Hildebrand and Jackson strive to be more than just dentists. Through being part of an eco-friendly dental practice and reaching out to less fortunate people with dental needs abroad, their dental work is about making a positive world change.
"Dentistry is not just about fixing teeth and making money … there's an appreciation about what we're doing and you can't put a price tag on it," said Hildebrand. "You've got a great opportunity to help other people, you should take advantage of it."
After opening at Mockingbird Station in early March, PURE Dental is one of the first eco-friendly facilities in the country.
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