FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 31, 2018 (ATLANTA) —  The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) is ramping up its efforts to support Dental Infection Control Awareness Month (DICAM) in September. DICAM was introduced as an annual observance of the Safest Dental Visit to help clinicians and infection control coordinators promote a safe, professional environment, encourage patient dialogue, attract new patients and enhance the overall image of their practice.

Interim OSAP executive director, Andy Whitehead, says this year’s goal is to take safety viral. “We want to take our participation in DICAM to a whole new level,” Whitehead said. “It’s critical that we continue to support dental teams, clinicians, and infection control coordinators as they work diligently to address current and emerging threats and stay up-to-date on complex policies and guidelines.”

During DICAM 2018, new members are offered a special, discounted annual online membership for $20.18, which includes access to the DICAM materials, a weekly infection control news roundup, and six patient engagement tools throughout the year. Support materials and resources for DICAM are available on the OSAP website at osap.org/page/DICAM for members of the organization.

Dental practices, educators, consultants, and those in the dental trade are encouraged to “Take Safety Viral” by posting infection control best practices, success stories, or selfies on social media and joining the conversation using the hashtag #DICAM18.

“OSAP helps dental practices across the country educate and train staff and promote a culture of safety. By welcoming new members to the OSAP community during DICAM this year, we hope to ensure that safety really does go viral—and not just during September,” Whitehead said.

Dental practitioners, including infection control coordinators, the dental trade, educators, consultants, and other interested parties are encouraged to visit www.osap.org to join OSAP and to stay up-to-date on the latest resources and educational opportunities to help ensure the Safest Dental Visit.

About OSAP

The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) is the only dental membership association solely focused on infection prevention and patient safety education. Our members include individual clinicians, group practices, educators, researchers, consultants, trainers, compliance directors, policymakers, and industry representatives who advocate for safe and infection-free delivery of oral healthcare. OSAP focuses on strategies to improve compliance with safe practices and on building a strong network of recognized infection control experts. OSAP offers an extensive online collection of resources, publications, FAQs, checklists, and toolkits that help dental professionals deliver the Safest Dental Visit for their patients. Plus, online and live courses help advance the level of knowledge and skill for every member of the dental team. For additional information, visit osap.org.

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