ADS Institute for Dental Safety and Science
Ensuring Every Dental Visit Is a Safe One—Today and for the Future
Filling the Void, Shaping the Future of Dental Safety
Born from Necessity
In the wake of the CDC Division of Oral Health withdrawal, the ADS Institute was founded to ensure dental infection prevention remains a national priority.
Protecting Millions of Patients
Our mission is clear: to safeguard every dental visit with up-to-date, evidence-informed infection control guidelines.
Independent and Science-Led
As a nonprofit, the ADS Institute is positioned to act swiftly, free from political shifts, and grounded in rigorous scientific standards.
A Sustainable, Scalable Vision
We’re building a model that scales nationally and globally—ensuring safety isn’t an afterthought, but standard across every clinic
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE
Four Decades of Trusted Leadership & Innovation
- Legacy of Infection Prevention: With 40+ years, the Association for Dental Safety, formerly OSAP, has led the nation in infection control education and practice.
- Strengthening Global Guidelines: We not only uphold the U.S. dental safety standard—we improve and internationalize it for broader impact.
- Collaborative Ecosystem: ADS works with dental associations, universities, and health systems to ensure that guidance reflects evidence-based science. At the core of the ADS Institute is a multidisciplinary advisory committee looking at all aspects of patient and provider safety.
- Proven Expertise and Trust: Our longstanding work with the CDC has shaped national best practices. We are the trusted voice in a time of uncertainty.
Our Proven Track Record
A Legacy of Impact with the CDC and Beyond
- Four Decades of Experience: The ADS Institute, formerly OSAP, has led dental infection prevention education and guideline development for over 40 years.
- Collaborated Closely with CDC: Our work with the CDC shaped many of today’s best practices—establishing us as a trusted voice in public health.
- Credibility and Continuity: We bring the same leadership, staff, and scientific integrity that informed CDC policies—ensuring continuity even as federal support retracts.
- Ready to Scale What Works: Our track record isn’t theoretical—we’ve built the systems, trained the workforce, and created materials used nationwide.
INFECTION PREVENTION AND SAFETY EXPERTS
Meet the Advisory Group
Eve Cuny, MS, CDIPC
Chair, ADS Institute
Professor Emeritus, Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry
Simone Duarte, DDS, MS, PhD
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, EDI; Professor, University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine
Russell Dunkel, DDS, FPFA, FICD, FACD
State Dental Director and Chief Dental Officer, Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Quotes in Support
"Oral health is a cornerstone of overall well-being and a vital pillar in the health of our nation. Grounded in evidence and driven by a steadfast commitment to safety, the new ADS Institute for Dental Safety and Science will continue to support our profession's capacity to deliver safe, high-quality care to every community. At a time when the importance of oral health has never been clearer, the American Dental Association congratulates ADS's transformative step forward with its deep commitment to preserving a culture of safety in dentistry."
"The Association for Dental Safety (ADS) is the nation's biggest ally in promoting safe dental care. Without a doubt, ADS is the best choice to continue oversight of dental infection prevention and control guidelines, ensuring recommendations are current, scientifically sound, translated into lay terms and disseminated to those who need them on a daily basis."
Founding Supporters
These partners not only contributed funding, they’ve modeled what it means to take meaningful action during a public health vacuum. Their leadership paves the way for other institutions to follow and build a resilient, independent future for dental safety.
