FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For additional information, contact:
Michelle Lee, CPC
Executive Director
(404) 789-3150
[email protected]

August 31, 2022 (ATLANTA, GA) - As an authority on infection control, the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) is spearheading their annual campaign ‘Dental Infection Control Awareness Month’, which is held 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. In September, providers can demonstrate commitment to infection prevention and patient safety. The theme of this year’s DICAM is “Staying in The Know Together”. Each week will have a different infection control focus:

• Week One: Hand Hygiene
• Week Two: Dental Unit Waterlines
• Week Three: Instrument Reprocessing
• Week Four: Personal Protective Equipment

OSAP’s Executive Director, Michelle Lee, CPC says “With Infection control and prevention being brought to the forefront of people's minds two years ago, it is our responsibility, especially during DICAM, to continue to bring the dental community together by providing valuable information about patient safety and updates on complex, ever-changing policies and guidelines.”

Support materials and resources for DICAM are available on the OSAP website at osap.org/DICAM. Resources include a printable poster and brochure and a customizable patient letter. The resources - usually reserved for members only - also include frequently asked questions and answers, scripts, and whitepapers.

Dental practices, educators, consultants, and those in the dental trade are encouraged to “Stay in The Know Together” by posting infection control best practices, success stories, or selfies on social media and joining the conversation using the hashtag #DICAM22. There are many individuals and practices in the industry that are doing great things and keeping their patients safe. To further encourage social media posts, OSAP will provide suggested messaging and images that can be used throughout the month.

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™ possible 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 www.osap.org.
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