About ADS Institute
Established to ensure dental safety remains a priority—continuing the development and dissemination of up-to-date, evidence-based recommendations for thousands of dental health care professionals and protecting patients everywhere.
The Situation
The abrupt closure of the CDC’s Division of Oral Health (CDC DOH) on April 1, 2025, has left a critical gap in the development and maintenance of dental infection prevention and safety guidelines. As the leading authority, its absence created an urgent need for leadership and collaboration
The Problem
In oral health care settings, infectious agents can be transmitted in numerous ways, making robust infection prevention and control guidelines essential for protecting patients, dental health care personnel (DHCP), and the broader community.
Outbreaks Related to Dental Waterlines
Recent outbreaks highlight the ongoing risks of inadequate waterline maintenance. In 2015, 24 cases of Mycobacterium abscessus infections in children were tied to a Georgia dental clinic, with a similar outbreak affecting 71 patients in California in 2016. Most recently, a 2022 cluster of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections in children was reported to the CDC. These incidents underscore the need for comprehensive protocols.
Emerging Infectious Threats
New pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), have exposed gaps in current infection control. Dental procedures create aerosols, increasing the risk of airborne transmission of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, RSV, influenza, and measles, among others. This demands regularly updated, evidence-based guidelines, improved PPE recommendations, better ventilation, and ongoing staff vaccination efforts.
Reuse of Unsterilized Instruments
Failing to sterilize instruments between patients allows direct transmission of bacteria, viruses (e.g., hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV), and fungi. Even small lapses can cause outbreaks, as seen in a 2009 cluster of hepatitis B cases at a portable dental clinic in West Virginia, and transmission of hepatitis C in an oral surgeon's office in Oklahoma.
Dental Anxiety and Patient Trust
Approximately 36% of the U.S. population experiences some level of dental anxiety, with about 12% suffering from extreme dental fear. This fear can lead to the avoidance of dental visits, worsening oral health, and the need for more complex treatments. Unsafe dental visits will continue to erode public trust in the dental healthcare system.
Workforce Shortage of Dental Hygienists
Recent data indicates a 10% decrease in dental hygienists over the past five years. The lack of safety guidance from the CDC's Division of Oral Health will further exacerbate these issues, leading to longer wait times, rushed procedures, and overlooked oral health problems, ultimately compromising patient safety and overall care quality.
The Solution:
The ADS Institute for Dental Safety and Science
With the closure of the CDC Division of Oral Health, a trusted source for infection prevention guidance was lost. The ADS Institute for Dental Safety and Science was established to ensure dental safety remains a priority—continuing the development and dissemination of up-to-date, evidence-based recommendations for thousands of dental health care professionals and protecting patients everywhere.
Our Unique Role & Why It Matters
With the closure of the CDC Division of Oral Health, a trusted source for infection prevention guidance was lost. The ADS Institute for Dental Safety and Science was established to ensure dental safety remains a priority—continuing to develop and disseminate up-to-date, evidence-based recommendations for thousands of dental health care professionals and protecting patients everywhere.
Leadership in Infection Prevention
For over 40 years, the Association for Dental Safety (formerly OSAP) has been the nation’s leader in infection prevention and safety education and training.
Maintaining and Strengthening Guidelines
As an independent nonprofit, the ADS Institute ensures that guidelines are not only maintained but strengthened, expanded, and rapidly updated to address emerging threats.
Global Impact
The CDC's Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings — 2003 are referenced and adapted in countries worldwide, helping to elevate oral health safety globally
Existing Relationships
Strong ties with dental organizations, research institutions, and dental and medical healthcare providers will keep our guidelines current and informed by the latest evidence-based science and best practices.
Multi-disciplinary Expertise
At its core is an advisory committee that brings nationally and internationally recognized experts in infection prevention, evidence-informed health policy, public health, oral health, pathology, and disease transmission. The committee is supported by the addition of nonvoting liaison members representing numerous professional health organizations.
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