We bring the science of harm prevention to dentistry—helping dental teams prevent costly incidents before they happen.
CUSPID Institute™ adapts the renowned Johns Hopkins CUSP model to the unique needs of dentistry, empowering dental professionals 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.
You’re already focused on delivering exceptional dental care. Let us handle the patient safety training — so your team can focus on what they do best.
About CUSPID Institute™
Our mission is grounded in the core healthcare principle of non-maleficence—“do no harm.”
We believe in the science of prevention to protect patients and empower dental teams. Drawing on patient safety models that have transformed medicine for decades, we’ve adapted these proven, research-based frameworks and uniquely tailored them for dentistry. The result is a first-of-its-kind training and support system that puts patients at the center of every safety effort.
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? A single preventable error—like a $247,250 malpractice payout for a negligent extraction—can damage your finances and reputation. CUSPID training helps your team prevent errors, strengthen safety, and protect your practice.
By empowering your dental team with CUSPID Patient Safety training and Quality Improvement tools, you can significantly reduce the risk of patient harm and minimize potential malpractice claims.
How CUSPID Training Differs from Traditional OSHA Training
👉 OSHA protects providers. 👉 CUSPID protects patients.
While OSHA training is essential for protecting dental providers and staff from workplace hazards, it does not address patient safety outcomes.
OSHA = Provider Safety
Protects dental staff through regulatory compliance and workplace safety measures—such as PPE protocols, exposure control plans, and infection prevention systems.
CUSPID = Patient Safety
Protects patients by preventing clinical errors, adverse events, and communication breakdowns during dental care.
CUSPID equips dental teams with practical, proven tools, including safety checklists, time-out protocols, daily safety huddles, root cause analysis, and systems that encourage staff to speak up for safety. Together, these tools build a sustainable culture of prevention, trust, and continuous learning in every dental setting.
Just as you would never deliver dental care without OSHA standards to protect your team, it’s equally essential to establish clear, evidence-based patient safety guidelines to protect your patients.
Simply put: OSHA protects you. CUSPID protects your patients. When both are done right, everyone wins.
Patient Safety Training & Quality Improvement Overview
We start with the SafeSmile Survey™ (S³) to assess your team’s safety culture, followed by customized training for your dental team. You can also receive advanced training and 4 CE credits, which makes your office eligible for SafeSmile Certified Office™ recognition, a prominent display in your reception area that demonstrates your commitment to patient safety. Additionally, to address your specific patient safety concerns, we provide in-depth consultation using quality improvement tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) toolkits and Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles.
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The SafeSmile Survey™ (S³) measures your team’s safety culture and identifies strengths and areas for improvement. Based on the results, we provide customized training tailored to your dental team.
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After your initial safety training, you can receive advanced 2-hour safety sessions to deepen your team’s skills. Completing this training makes your office eligible for SafeSmile Certified Office™ recognition, which can be proudly displayed in your reception area as a testament to your commitment to patient safety.
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We provide consultations to address your office’s specific patient safety challenges. Using proven tools like Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles, your team learns how to investigate incidents, implement effective changes, and continuously strengthen safety practices.
After successful completion of SafeSmile Survey™ (S³), customized training, and advanced training, dental practices will be awarded the SafeSmile Certified Office™ recognition. This certificate can be proudly displayed in your office and used in marketing to showcase your commitment to maintaining a safe dental environment and prioritizing patient safety.
