FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 20, 2015 (ANNAPOLIS) — The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) is launching a major multi-year collaborative educational program in conjunction with National Dental Infection Control Awareness Month (NDICAM). OSAP’s Safest Dental Visit™ program is a new initiative designed to promote an increased commitment to infection control and safety. Clinicians, educators, speakers and consultants, product manufacturers and distributors, and others interested in patient safety are collaborating to help ensure that every patient visit is the safest dental visit. The launch coincides with NDICAM, a month-long awareness campaign during September designed to increase focus on dental infection control and safety and to help clinicians engage with patients on this important topic. A wide variety of support materials are available on the OSAP website at www.osap.org.

The dental team plays a pivotal role in the program. The dental office is where clinicians address new and emerging threats and increasingly complex policies and guidelines. It’s also where patients express concern (or remain silent but worry) about their safety. This new OSAP campaign will help dental practices educate and train staff, promote a safe and professional environment, increase patient confidence and loyalty, attract new patients, and enhance the overall image of the practice.

An important element of the Safest Dental Visit program is the pledge. The Safest Dental Visit pledge outlines critical guidelines and practices to help ensure the safety of every patient. The campaign supports dental practices to make this pledge by providing information, education, and regular reminders to engage staff in infection prevention and safety.

Although the goal is for all dental practices to participate, OSAP members gain access to the Safest Dental Visit Tool Kit, a set of curated materials that guide the practice through establishing a culture of safety, maximizing the role of the infection control coordinator, understanding OSHA requirements and CDC guidelines, and taking full advantage of OSAP membership.

Dental product manufacturers and distributors are participating by promoting OSAP membership and the Safest Dental Visit program, helping support the program through in-kind services or donations raised through sales, or offering OSAP memberships for specific product purchases.

Dental practitioners and other interested parties are encouraged to check the website frequently or join OSAP to be kept up-to-date on new resources and educational opportunities as they are made available.

Celebrating over 30 years of service to the worldwide dental community, OSAP is a growing community of clinicians, educators, students, policy-makers, 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 to help dental professionals ensure that every visit is The Safest Dental Visit™ for patients and the dental team. For more information, call 800- 298-OSAP (6727) or 410-571-0003 or visit www.osap.org.