Innovation

At Mirza DDS & Associates, the innovation is about combining dental care with job opportunities to help the community. It’s been located in the Chicagoland area for over 30 years, they understand that good health comes with economic stability. By hiring and training local people in dental care regardless of their race or sexual orientation, they provide health services while also creating job opportunities. This supports the (SDG:3) Good Health and Well-Being by making dental care more accessible and improving the health of the community.

This practice not only focuses on dental services but also on strengthening individuals from diverse backgrounds through training and employment. This reduces inequalities in job opportunities, correlating the practice to (SDG:8) Decent Work and Economic Growth. Providing stable jobs in the dental industry, jobs encourages economic growth by making it easily accessible to quality care. The commitment to reaching out to those who suffer from inequality addresses the (SDG:10); Reduced Inequalities.

Inspiration

As people of color and children of immigrants, Syrley, the regional manager of Mirza DDS & Associates, and Dr. Mirza, the clinic's founder, draw great inspiration from their common backgrounds. They have a strong desire to improve their society and were raised with an awareness of the difficulties many people encounter in obtaining equal opportunity and financial stability. This history inspires their commitment to empowering people by fusing dental care with employment possibilities, which is in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3, 8, and 10—which support decent work, excellent health, and less inequality.

The clinic's philosophy, which emphasizes inclusion and appreciation for variety, seems personal to Syrley.  "Everyone is family—our staff, our patients—we are one big family," she says. Their goal to recruit and develop local talent, regardless of their sexual orientation or color, has been influenced by this strong feeling of community, creating a friendly atmosphere that benefits both staff and patients. "It's such a good feeling being able to help out different communities with different needs," says Syrley, describing the deep gratification this offers.

By providing stable employment in dental care, the practice's comprehensive strategy tackles healthcare and economic inequalities.  "Helping others with their oral health, well-being, and confidence is so rewarding," Syrley reflects. In addition to making lives better, Syrley and Dr. Mirza are setting an example for community-led change by promoting people's health and offering fulfilling employment possibilities.

Overall impact

The approach of combining both dental care and the creation of jobs has an impact of many communities. It makes dental care more accessible in the Chicago area, specifically for underserved people. Hiring and training residents from the local areas builds a connection with the community and their needs. The impact can be seen from the number of patients served and feedback from the communities.

This approach helps create a long-lasting change that supports both health and economic stability. Providing steady jobs and career training in the dental field, helps people build stable careers. This impact is shown in areas like patient loyalty, partnerships within the community, and people in the area being trained in health care. The potential of getting a higher role shows the benefits of this innovation and the impact it brings. 

Muzaffar Mirza DDS & Associates is improving lives by providing health and economic stability. The commitment to the communities will lead into building a healthier and strong community for the future.

Business benefit

The dedication to sustainability at Mirza DDS & Associates is deeply rooted in its economic and social impacts in addition to environmental activities. The clinic targets inequality in society and promotes regional economic growth by generating employment opportunities and easily accessible healthcare.

A focused hiring and training program has been one of the major improvements, creating more than 120 new job opportunities in the Chicagoland area in the last five years. The clinic funds a training program that equips members of underprivileged communities with practical skills in dental administration, patient care, and support, irrespective of their school background or work experience. As of 1996, numerous participants of this training course had been hired for full-time positions in the practice.

Furthermore, Mirza DDS & Associates has made sure that 88% of its staff members come from a variety of racial, ethnic, and sexual orientation backgrounds by emphasizing a diverse, inclusive workforce. In addition to promoting Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), this inclusivity creates a friendly atmosphere for patients from various backgrounds.

Hundreds of low-income families now have access to affordable dental care each year because to the practice's expansion of its sliding-scale fee structure. By guaranteeing that people can obtain necessary healthcare services without facing financial obstacles, this model promotes SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).

SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 is directly related to the clinic's emphasis on comprehensive community support. Their continuous efforts serve as an example of how a company may strike a balance between economic expansion and significant community impact, bringing sustainability to the realms of health and the economy.

Social and environmental benefit

The innovation brings important benefits to Muzaffar Mirza DDS & Associates. Hiring and training local talent builds skills, loyalty, and commitment to the practice’s mission which is to care for and connect a long-lasting relationship. Offering stable jobs and opportunities to grow, employees will be happier and engaged which becomes a success for the workplace and for the patients as well. This will create the long-lasting relationships that the company looks for and make patients come back to get treated by professionals.

Focus on serving communities and reaching underserved areas will help the business expand, bringing in revenue and communities. Including quality care boosts attention to potential and current patients while also building a reputation within the company. Commitment to employees and patients, the practice makes it financially sustainable and to different audiences that value social impact. The combination of health services and job creation will be stronger financially but also make a positive impact within the communities.

Interview

Syrley Orduna, Regional Business Management