Transforming Dental Patient Safety with Proven Science
CUSPID Institute™ adapts the renowned Johns Hopkins CUSP model to the unique needs of dentistry, empowering dental teams to prevent patient harm and elevate the standard of care.
By applying the proven Safety CUSP framework to the dental field, we developed CUSPID—the Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program in Dentistry—an innovative model dedicated to advancing patient safety in dentistry.
About CUSPID Institute™
At CUSPID Institute™, we are dedicated to bridging the gap between patient safety science and everyday dental practice, ensuring every patient receives care that is not only effective but reliably safe. We believe in the science of prevention to protect patients and empower dental teams. We've adapted the proven, research-based CUSP model from Johns Hopkins and uniquely tailored it for dental settings – creating a first-of-its-kind training and support system that puts patients at the center of safety. Our mission is rooted in the fundamental healthcare ethic of "non-maleficence" or "do no harm."
Why Patient Safety in Dentistry?
Research shows that up to 80% of all incidents causing harm to patients are preventable Unfortunately, dentistry is about 40 years behind medicine when it comes to patient safety systems and culture. Many preventable patient safety incidents and communication failures contribute to this risk. Improving safety not only protects patients but also reduces costly malpractice claims and strengthens your practice's reputation.
Did You Know? One preventable error—such as a real $247,250 malpractice payout for a negligent tooth extraction—can have lasting consequences for your bottom line and your reputation. CUSPID training empowers your team to prevent errors, elevate patient safety, and build a lasting culture of safety that protects your practice.
By empowering your dental team through CUSPID training, you can substantially reduce the chance of patient harm and malpractice claims.
How CUSPID Training is Different
While OSHA training is essential for protecting dental providers and staff from workplace hazards, it does not address the patient safety outcomes. At CUSPID Institute™, we focus exclusively on dental patient safety—targeting the systems, communication, processes, and culture that prevent harm to patients during dental care.
OSHA = Provider Safety
Focuses on protecting dental staff through regulatory compliance and workplace safety measures, including PPE protocols, exposure control plans, and infection prevention systems.CUSPID = Patient Safety
Focuses on protecting patients by preventing errors, adverse events, and communication breakdowns. CUSPID equips dental teams with practical tools such as safety checklists, time-out protocols, daily safety huddles, root cause analysis, and a strong culture of reporting and continuous learning—building a sustainable culture of safety in every dental setting.Just as we would never consider delivering dental care without OSHA standards to protect your dental team, it is equally unthinkable to provide patient care without clear, evidence-based guidelines centered on patient safety. The reality is, we often don’t know what we don’t know—leaving critical safety gaps unnoticed until patient harm occurs.
Simply put: OSHA protects you. CUSPID protects your patients. When both are done right, everyone wins.
Training Programs Overview
CUSPID Institute™ offers a series of evidence-based continuing education (CE) courses focused on improving patient safety in dental practices. Each course is grounded in proven methodologies, including the Comprehensive Unit-Based Safety Program (CUSP), adapted specifically for dentistry.
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Introduces the core principles of patient safety, including human factors, systems thinking, and the impact of communication and workflow on outcomes. Participants will learn how to identify risks and apply foundational strategies to create safer care environments.
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Expands on foundational knowledge by exploring safety culture, leadership in safety, and proactive error prevention strategies. Participants will learn how to foster open communication, support a just culture, and apply systems-based solutions to real-world scenarios.
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A comprehensive, practice-focused course on implementing sustainable safety systems in dental settings. Participants will gain hands-on strategies for effective team communication, conducting safety huddles, using checklists, and developing incident reporting protocols to drive continuous improvement.
Upon successful completion of all three CUSPID Institute™ training courses, dental practices will be awarded a "Patient Safety Commitment” certificate. This recognition can be proudly displayed in the office and used in marketing or patient communications to showcase your dedication to a safe dental environment and to reliable, high-quality patient care.
Proven Impact & Credibility
The CUSP model, originally developed by Johns Hopkins University, has been successfully implemented across many healthcare fields, reducing patient safety incidents by up to 40%. CUSPID Institute™ is the first to bring this evidence-based approach to dentistry. Our programs are grounded in rigorous research and public health principles, and led by a credentialed expert in dental safety.
Ready to transform your practice?
Sign up for CUSPID Institute™ training programs and begin your journey toward safer, more reliable dental care.