Now available: Step 3 of the OSAP-DALE Foundation Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate Program
The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) and the DALE Foundation just launched the OSAP-DALE Foundation Dental Infection Prevention and Control eHandbook™ (the “eHandbook”), the third step in a new four-step educational series, an assessment-based certificate program for infection control.
The eHandbook is now available to those who have completed steps one and two of the OSAP-DALE Foundation Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate Program™. The certificate program is intended for everyone on the dental team, plus educators, consultants, dental sales representatives, and state dental board investigators and inspectors.
“This innovative and interactive four-step educational certificate program offers a variety of learning options to meet different schedules and learning preferences,” explains Executive Director of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and the DALE Foundation Cynthia Durley, M.Ed., MBA. “Successful completion of this comprehensive infection control educational program is an important accomplishment for those who want to demonstrate their knowledge in dental infection control and showcase their commitment to patient and provider safety.”
The certificate program is one component of a larger initiative between OSAP, DANB and the DALE Foundation that also includes online infection control continuing education modules, and two professional dental infection control certification programs currently in development. The impetus behind this initiative has been the growing need for accurate and accessible dental infection control resources and valid third-party standards-based certification programs.
“Infection control lapses in dental settings are an ongoing concern, especially since such lapses can be life-threatening,” says OSAP Executive Director Michelle Lee, CPC. “National surveys of dental settings indicate a lack of standardized education and training protocols for all aspects of infection control, not just OSHA regulations. Although numerous infection control resources are available, these resources vary in quality and relevance. An education and training resource on infection control that is practical and accessible has been needed.”
Step four of the certificate program, the OSAP-DALE Foundation eHandbook Assessment™, will be available this fall to those who have completed steps one through three.
To learn more about the educational certificate program or the forthcoming professional certifications, visit the Dental Infection Control Education & Certification website at dentalinfectioncontrol.org.