Organization for Safety Asepsis and Prevention

3525 Piedmont Rd, NE
Atlanta GA 30305
410-571-0003
www.osap.org

The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) is a growing community of educators, researchers, clinicians, consultants and industry representatives who advocate for safe and infection-free delivery of oral health care. 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, checklists and toolkits that help dental professionals deliver the safest dental visit possible. Plus, online and live courses help advance the level of knowledge and skill for every member of the dental team. Founded in 1984 and formally incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1985, OSAP is comprised of two separate but linked organizations: OSAP is a 501(c)(6) membership organization.

The Association is the voice of leadership for science-based dental infection prevention and safety practices through quality education worldwide. There is no other dental specific organization that is focused on infection prevention and safe care. OSAP also maintains the OSAP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt educational foundation.

The Foundation supports the Association’s ability to execute its mission by raising funds and cultivating partnerships with health care, private sector business, foundations and government agencies. The Foundation is fully engaged in the Association’s strategy promoting safety and infection prevention.

Overview

The OSAP Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt educational foundation that supports education, research, service, and policy development to promote safety and the control of infectious diseases in dental healthcare settings worldwide.

Founded in 1996 Tax ID #52-1963109 Global events such as terrorist attacks, hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes, climactic changes, and forced migrations of major populations will continue to impact the world, and with it, the need for science-based information and education to address disease transmission and safety issues.

OSAP, with its nimble business model of a small centralized office and effective use of national and international experts, consultants, member volunteers, governmental agencies, other associations,industry and advisory groups such as the Friends of OSAP, has worked proactively to identify and address current and emerging issues. For example, the organization has:

Uploaded Guide for Safety and Infection Control for Oral Healthcare Missions for 24-7 use as free service to those in need Instituted specialized webpages as information toolkits for the dental profession including: Measles MRSA H1N1 Hand Hygiene Emergency Preparedness and many more... As a non-governmental organization, the OSAP Foundation has been able to leverage its resources with these and other national and international organizations.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). World Health Organization (WHO). World Dental Federation (FDI).

Successes:

The leadership of the Foundation is 100% committed to achieving the vision of the organization. Over the past several years, the OSAP Foundation has worked toward three main goals to achieve its vision of safe dental care for people everywhere. A summary of successes to-date follows.

Develop and implement innovative strategies to improve the transfer of current, accurate scientific information to dental care providers and the public. To that end, OSAP has developed and introduced:

-A website offering objective information, education, and assistance (www.OSAP.org)

-A process to quickly answer practitioner and patient questions on dental infection control, with answers accessible to all via OSAP.org's "Frequently Asked Questions".

-The web-based News Updates to gather and provide daily links to breaking infection control stories.

-OSAP's Travelers' Guide to Safe Dental Care (available in print and online)

-The If Saliva Were Red training system, with video and trainer's guide.

-The comprehensive workbook From Policy to Practice: OSAP's Guide to the CDC Guidelines (2019 Edition).

-A special 55-page supplement to Compendium of Continuing Dental Education on 2003 CDC guidelines.

-OSAP's 51-page Guide for Safety and Infection Control for Oral Healthcare Missions. Two successful global summits to identify and address needs through training programs and materials.

-A broad publication strategy that has placed more than 91 articles in 12 U.S. and international journals.

In addition, OSAP has:

-Participated in the committee on infection control test construction for the Dental Assisting National Board.

-Leveraged resources with: Midmark to distribute an OSAP-created Instrument processing wall chart. Henry Schein to distribute a "Public Health and Awareness Information Guide" on anthrax.

-Provided appropriate education and training on recommended infection control practices to dental care providers. To that end, OSAP has supported, delivered, or participated in: Infection control programs with the American Dental Assistants Association (2002-06), the American Dental Hygienists Association (2002-06), the American Dental Association (2003-04), the American Dental Educators Association (2003), the Dental Manufacturers of America (2003-04), Sullivan Schein Sales Training (2001-06), the National University of Mexico (a 100-hour certificate program, 2002 and 2004), the Mexican Dental Association (2004-05), the Caribbean Atlantic Regional Dental Association (2004), and governments and associations in Brazil (2000, 2003), Costa Rica (2001), Panama (2003-05), Africa (2003-04), Vietnam (2003), and Nepal (2004-05). Train-the-trainer programs at the OSAP 2003 and 2004 symposia. Revision of the American Dental Assistants' Association infection control training course.

Identified risks associated with changing technology and emerging infectious diseases and propose strategies to reduce risks. To this end, OSAP has:

-Assessed needs of domestic dental care providers by surveying 2,000 U.S. dental offices.

-Created web-based Issue Toolkits to provide pertinent information on key concerns in a timely manner.

-Joined the World Dental Federation (FDI) as a member and participated in drafting some of its infection control-related statements, and in its meetings (2002-05).Signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2006 to work with the FDI on education, information and policy regarding infection control and safety.

-Collaborated with the Food and Drug Administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, Oral Health America, the dental associations listed under Goal 2, the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Public Health Service and Veterans Administration, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, the International Organization for Standards, and more.

Map of Organization for Safety Asepsis and Prevention 3525 Piedmont Rd, NE, Atlanta GA 30305

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