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.
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: Patient safety is non-negotiable. Zero harm is our standard.
Evidence-Based: We use proven methods, including CUSP, AAPD Toolkit, 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 Becky Parnian, DHSc, MPH, RDH, CDA
Dental Patient Safety & Healthcare Quality Strategist
Becky Parnian is the Founder of CUSPID Institute™ and a nationally recognized voice in dental patient safety. With more than 20 years of experience spanning clinical dentistry, public health, healthcare quality, and program leadership, she brings a unique perspective to advancing safety in oral health.
Her doctoral research examined patient safety culture in dentistry, identifying significant gaps in patient safety knowledge while also demonstrating a strong readiness among dental professionals to improve. This work became the foundation for CUSPID Institute™, which translates the science of patient safety into practical strategies that help dental organizations and teams build stronger cultures of safety.
Becky serves on the Board of the Association for Dental Safety (ADS) and as a Champion for Patients for Patient Safety (PFPS), a global initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO). She has presented her work at national and regional professional conferences, including the National Oral Health Conference (NOHC) in 2025, Association for Dental Safety (ADS) Annual Conference in 2025, New Jersey Department of Health Oral Health Conference in 2026, and New Jersey Head Start Conference in 2026.
Through her research, leadership, and work with dental organizations, Becky is advancing a more systematic approach to patient safety, helping organizations move beyond individual awareness and education toward measurable improvements in safety culture, team performance, and the quality and safety of care delivered to patients.