About
At CUSPID Institute™, we apply the same proven science and methodologies that revolutionized safety in aviation and healthcare to transform patient safety in dentistry. True patient safety begins with a culture of safety—where every team member actively identifies risks, speaks up without fear, and works together to prevent harm. It also relies on a just culture, which replaces blame with learning and focuses on improving systems rather than individuals. By fostering open communication, shared accountability, and continuous learning, dental teams create environments where safety is built into every action. Through ongoing Quality Improvement (QI), we strengthen processes, close safety gaps, and make safe, reliable care the foundation of every dental practice.
In fact, our name—CUSPID—represents CUSP In Dentistry, highlighting our focus on embedding patient safety into dental practice. It is inspired by the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP), a patient safety model developed at Johns Hopkins Medicine to systematically integrate safety science into care.
Our Mission and Values:
Rooted in the fundamental healthcare ethic of "non-maleficence" or "do no harm," we believe that every patient deserves dental care that is not only effective but consistently safe. At its core, CUSPID Institute™ exists to protect patients and empower dental professionals through the science of prevention.
Our work is guided by five core values:
Safety First: Zero preventable incidents is our standard. Patient safety is non-negotiable.
Evidence-Based: We use proven methods, including CUSP and TeamSTEPPS, to build a strong patient safety culture.
Team Empowerment: A safe culture starts with your team.
Integrity & Accountability: We uphold the highest ethical standards and take responsibility for our actions.
Continuous Quality Improvement: We embrace learning, innovation, and measurement to advance patient safety and quality care.
Meet Dr. Becky Parnian
Led by Dr. Becky Parnian, a seasoned dental hygienist and public health expert, our training is designed by a dental professional, for dental professionals. With over 20 years of clinical and public health experience, Dr. Parnian grounded her doctoral research in patient safety in dentistry, a field long overlooked but urgently in need of attention. As part of her dissertation, she surveyed over 100 dental professionals across New Jersey, revealing two critical insights: a significant knowledge gap in patient safety concepts within dental teams, and a strong willingness and readiness to learn more among almost all participants. These results were the catalyst for founding CUSPID Institute™ to close that gap and bring the science of patient safety into everyday dental practice.
Dr. Parnian has also been actively presenting on dental patient safety at several oral health conferences, including the 2025 National Oral Health Conference (NOHC) and the 2025 Association for Dental Safety (ADS) Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida.