The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) is excited for Dental Infection Control Awareness Month (DICAM) starting September 1. DICAM is an opportunity for the oral healthcare community to highlight all the efforts that go into providing the safest dental visit.
OSAP encourages everyone to “Stay in The Know Together” by posting infection prevention and control best practices, success stories, or selfies on social media and joining the conversation using the hashtag #DICAM23.
OSAP developed a social media toolkit with suggested messaging and graphics that can be used throughout the month. Each week will have a different focus:
- Week 1: Hand Hygiene (September 4–8)
- Week 2: Dental Unit Waterlines (September 11–15)
- Week 3: Instrument Reprocessing (September 18–22)
- Week 4: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (September 25–29)
OSAP’s executive director, Michelle Lee, CPC, said, “Oral health care is an essential service, and maintaining good oral health is critical to overall health. The dental community works in many ways to keep patients and providers safe during a dental visit. DICAM is the perfect time to recognize everything done to ensure every dental visit is safe.”
Support materials and resources for DICAM are available on the OSAP website at osap.org/DICAM. The social media toolkit includes scripts as well as a printable flyer, brochure, and a customizable patient letter. The infection control resources include frequently asked questions and answers, articles, and checklists.
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.
