OSAP's Dental Infection Control Course to be Held in January 2003

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The OSAP Federal Services Intermediate-Level Course on Dental Infection Control and Safety, which is geared toward federal dental services workers and civilian clinicians with responsibilities in infection control and occupational health/safety, will be held Jan. 27-31, 2003 at the Midtown Atlanta Colony Square Hotel in Atlanta. This valuable educational collaboration is the second of its kind between OSAP - the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) - and the Federal Dental Services.

The five-day, comprehensive course will verify basic competency in dental infection control and safety principles and provide attendees with the latest information on implementing and managing a dental infection control and safety program. The course is particularly suited for infection control and safety trainers, such as infection control managers and consultants, as it will describe training methods that encourage appropriate behavioral changes.

Combining hands-on courses with lectures and discussions, the scientific program will emphasize infectious diseases and occupational risks associated with dentistry. Sessions will focus on basic microbiology; occupational exposure; hand hygiene and latex allergies; epidemiology and surveillance; personal protective equipment; disinfection, sterilization, and antisepsis; infection control in the laboratory, radiography and informatics; instrument reprocessing and quality control; and dental unit waterlines.

A highlight of the educational event will be a series of hands-on stations to demonstrate proper handwashing, handling x-ray film aseptically, disinfecting dental impression materials, sterilization issues, surface management, and more.

Attendees can earn up to 35.5 hours of continuing-education credit through the Academy of General Dentistry and the Dental Assisting National Board. Tuition for the five-day course is $100 for military personnel, $300 for civilian OSAP members ($350 for non-members). Clinicians with a tight schedule can attend on Friday only to participate in the OSHA compliance lecture led by acclaimed infection control and safety trainer Harold Edelman, DDS (One-day, Friday-only tuition $150 for dentists, $90 for auxiliaries).

For program details or to register online, visit www.osap.org or contact the OSAP Central Office (tel. 800-298-OSAP (6727)/410-571-0003; fax 410-571-0028; email office@osap.org).

Discounted room rates ($93/night) are available through December 27 at the Sheraton Colony Square Hotel. Call 404-892-6000 to reserve a room.

Dentistry's infection control and safety resource, OSAP is a multidisciplinary group of clinicians, auxiliaries, researchers, educators, consultants, and industry representatives dedicated to promoting and advancing the art and science of dental infection control and safety. For more information on OSAP and its mission, visit www.osap.org.