Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures
The Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) was founded in 1984 and was incorporated formally as a nonprofit organization in 1986. The organization is considered the resource for dentistry for infection control and occupational safety and health.
In January 1995 a full-time executive director was hired, and the OSAP National Office was moved to Annapolis, Maryland. This move placed OSAP closer to many of the federal agencies and organizations from which it derives its information and program support.
The organization is comprised of two complementary entities, an association and a charitable educational foundation (OSAP Foundation). The association promotes science-based policies and practices for infection control, safety, and health in health care settings. The overall goal is to improve the safety and health of dental patients and practitioners worldwide. The foundation supports the activities of the association through the identification of funds from a wide variety of sources.
MISSION STATEMENT
OSPA’s mission is: To be the world’s leading source of education and information promoting evidence-based infection control and safety policies and practices in dentistry.
PURPOSES AND COMMITMENTS
The purposes and commitments of OSAP are as follows:
• Provide educational forums for dental health care professions and the entire dental industry.
• Provide and monitor practical guidelines in infection control and human health and safety.
• Interact with regulatory agencies, professional associations, product manufacturers and distributors, and other organizations.
• Promote quality research relating to infection control and safety issues.
MEMBERSHIP
OSAP members include dental practitioners (dentists, hygienists, assistants, and dental laboratory technicians), allied health care workers, researchers, educators, dental manufacturers, dental distributors, sales personnel, and public health officials. Members work in private and public dental practices, industry, academic facilities, military installations, and federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, Food and Drug Administration, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The common link is a strong commitment and interest in infection control in dentistry and human safety and health. The diverse membership shares a vision of a proactive organization that encourages the unbiased, open exchange of information on science, products, and technology in the dental setting.
Interested individuals are invited to obtain many resources by joining OSAP. Members receive full online access to all current and past OSAP publications, hard copies by mail, and discounts on OSAP meetings and products, including all training programs and materials, texts, CDs and audiotapes, and videotapes. Enrollment information is available at http://www.osap.org.
If membership is not an option, individuals can subscribe to the OSAP newsletter, which allows dental health care workers to keep informed concerning what is required to be in compliance with safety and infection control regulations and guidelines. Infection Control in Practice is published 8 times per year and provides opportunities to earn continuing education credits.
The Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures also has over 50 corporate members that participate fully in all OSAP activities.
PROGRAMS AND PRODUCTS
The following are examples of what's available from OSAP:
• If Saliva Were Red video training program: a powerful and informative visual lesson on infection control. The program includes a trainer’s guide to facilitate discussion and a highly effective video on VHS and CD-ROM. Continuing education credit is available.
• OSAP Interact Program: a comprehensive system for in-office training that uses a workbook and videos to explain infection control concepts and offers step-by-step protocols for minimizing the risk of disease transmission in dental health care settings. Continuing education credit is available.
• Traveler’s Guide to Safe Dental Care: a handy brochure on how to receive safe dental care when traveling outside the United States. The guide is a cooperative effort of OSAP and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The guide is appropriate for all audiences: patients, dental clinicians, and other travelers.
• From Policy to Practice: OSAP’s Guide to the Guidelines: a workbook supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help strip away the stress and confusion of implementing the expanded 2003 infection control and safety recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The workbook addresses terms one should know, the rationale behind the guidelines, step-by-step instructions, charts and checklists, common questions and answers, exercises in understanding, and more. Continuing education credit is available.
• Educators and Trainers Toolkit: Available on CD-ROM, this new toolkit is a coaching workbook designed to assist with the development, planning, and promotion of successful, high-impact infection control and safety programs and presentations.
• OSAP’s Web site contains dental infection control news that is updated daily to ensure dental industry workers are aware of important events, breakthroughs, and announcements. A special section, Frequently Asked Questions, provides 24-7 access to organized responses to an increasing number of common inquiries. The Web site also contains the official OSAP position papers and sets of guidelines.
• Annual symposium: includes a 3-day program of cutting edge information and extensive networking with the experts in dental asepsis, occupational health and safety, and regulatory issues. A must-attend symposium for infection control educators, lecturers, and consultants.
• Annual Train-the-Trainer Seminar: an intense 4-day seminar that provides the education, resources, and training tips on infection control and human safety and health trainers’ need. The seminar is cosponsored by OSAP and the U.S. Federal Services.
• Written and spoken content: OSAP members provide extensive written content concerning infection control and human safety and health to many dental publications. The organization also helps sponsor speakers at many important dental association meetings and conventions.
• Strategic liaisons: The Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures has established formal relationships with numerous dental organizations and associations and has ties to groups not only in the United States but also throughout the world.
The Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures is a resource for infection control and safety in dentistry and is at your service and wishes to help address information and training needs. Obviously, readers of this textbook have genuine interest in infection control and human safety and health. Membership in OSAP is necessary to remain current and to interact with others with the same interests.