OSAP Named ADA/CERP Provider

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Dentistry's premier resource for infection control and safety information, the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP), has been named as a recognized provider in the American Dental Association (ADA) Continuing Education Recognition Program (CERP). The announcement comes on the heels of the fall meeting of the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure, where the council adopted a resolution to grant CERP recognition to OSAP. Effective dates of ADA/CERP recognition are November 2002 through December 2005.

Developed to help the dental community select quality CE and to promote its continuous improvement, the ADA started CERP in 1993. Through an application and review process, ADA/CERP evaluates and recognizes institutions and organizations that provide continuing education. The ADA/CERP is managed by a standing committee of the Council on Dental Education and Licensure that includes representatives from the American Dental Association, the American Association of Dental Examiners, the American Association of Dental Schools, the Canadian Dental Association, and the organizations representing the recognized dental specialties. Only CE providers that can meet ADA/CERP standards and procedures are granted ADA/CERP approval and are authorized to use the ADA/CERP logo and/or approval statement on their publications. Once approved, CE providers are held accountable for maintaining those same high standards.

A non-profit association of dental professionals, educators, researchers, and industry representatives, OSAP hosts continuing education (CE) lectures, courses, and symposia on dental infection control and safety topics; it also awards CE credit through its informational newsletter, Infection Control In Practice. An approved national sponsor since 1993, OSAP already awards CE credit through the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) and the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). With OSAP now part of ADA CERP, dental workers across the country are virtually assured of receiving credit toward licensure and certification renewal through OSAP's CE offerings. Of the 48 U.S. licensing jurisdictions that have CE requirements for licensure renewal of dentists, most accept the credits offered by ADA CERP-recognized providers.

OSAP's ADA/CERP recognition comes in time for the organization's 2003 conference schedule. Offering attendees more than 35 hours of CE credit, the OSAP-Federal Services Course on Dental Infection Control and Occupational Safety/Health will be held January 27-31, 2003 at the Midtown Sheraton in Atlanta. Lectures will target basic microbiology, epidemiology, and the principles of infectious disease transmission; preemptive measures such as hand care, disinfection, sterilization, and antisepsis; training techniques; and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance in the dental setting.

The annual OSAP Symposium comes to Tucson's Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa June 19-21, 2003, bringing the dental community the latest information on forthcoming dental infection control guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), postexposure management, dental allergies, and other hot topics. Attendees can earn more than 20 hours of CE credit by attending the three-day program.

For more information on OSAP's accredited CE programs, call (800) 298-OSAP or visit www.osap.org.