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COI – Cooperazione Odontoiatrica Internazionale ETS is an Italian nonprofit organization established in May 1993. It works to improve access to oral healthcare in low-income countries and among socially and economically marginalized populations in Italy. The organization is based in Turin (Via Nizza 230) and is registered in the National Single Registry of the Third Sector (RUNTS).[1][2][3][4][5]

History

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COI was founded by a group of healthcare professionals with prior experience in international cooperation, particularly through collaboration with Medicus Mundi Italia. The organization was created in response to the limited attention paid to oral health in broader global health initiatives. According to its founders, the organization was created to address oral health disparities through a coordinated professional network.

Since its inception, COI has coordinated the efforts of dental professionals—including clinicians, technicians, and hygienists—through collaborative initiatives focused on care delivery in both international and domestic settings.

Key Milestones

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  • 1993 – COI is officially established.[6]
  • 1998 – Joins a network of four European dental NGOs: AOI, DHIN, OS, and ST.[7]
  • 2000 – Collaborates with the University of Turin to help launch the European Center for Intercultural Training in Oral Health (ECITOH).[8]
  • 2004 – Participates with Caritas Roma and the World Health Organization in the creation of the Italian Group for Access to Dental Care (GIACO).[9]
  • 2005 – Establishes the Oral Health Observatory focused on underserved communities.[10]
  • 2023 – Gains formal recognition as an eligible NGO by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, becoming and ETS.

Mission and Activities

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The organization focuses on expanding access to primary oral healthcare through training programs, community dental services, and health education. Its work is implemented both in Italy and abroad.

Internationally, COI operates in countries such as Lebanon and Burkina Faso. Projects are typically developed in collaboration with local communities and include training of local personnel, preventive outreach, clinical services, and the adaptation of dental technologies to local conditions.[11][12]

In Italy, the organization carries out oral health education campaigns and offers dental services targeting groups with limited access to care.[13]

Activities include [14]

  • Training and development for local dental personnel
  • Establishing and equipping dental clinics
  • Oral hygiene awareness and public health campaigns
  • Emergency restoration of dental care services
  • Deployment of professional volunteers in clinical and educational roles

Collaborations

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COI collaborates with academic institutions, governmental agencies, and international organizations. One of its major partnerships is with the University of Turin, where it co-developed a postgraduate Master’s program on oral health in underserved and low-resource settings.[15][16]

References

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  1. ^ Dental Journal, "COI: 1993–2023", link
  2. ^ Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali, "Elenco enti iscritti al RUNTS", versione 1.0 del 14 maggio 2020, p. 2305, PDF
  3. ^ Odontoiatria33, "COI festeggia il trentennale della sua attività", link
  4. ^ Consorzio ONG Piemontesi (COP), "Scheda COI", link
  5. ^ COI – Cooperazione Odontoiatrica Internazionale, "Chi siamo", link
  6. ^ "I primi 20 anni del COI. Intervista con Giancarlo Vecchiati". Odontoiatria33. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  7. ^ "I primi 20 anni del COI. Intervista con Giancarlo Vecchiati". Odontoiatria33. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  8. ^ "I primi 20 anni del COI. Intervista con Giancarlo Vecchiati". Odontoiatria33. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  9. ^ "I primi 20 anni del COI. Intervista con Giancarlo Vecchiati". Odontoiatria33. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  10. ^ "I primi 20 anni del COI. Intervista con Giancarlo Vecchiati". Odontoiatria33. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  11. ^ https://www.giornaleprevidenza.it/professione/cooperazione-odontoiatrica-mostra-sul-nepal-per-raccogliere-fondi/
  12. ^ https://www.dire.it/20-09-2022/792905-assomoud-un-docufilm-sui-profughi-palestinesi-in-libano/
  13. ^ https://www.ilmiodono.it/it/organizzazioni/piemonte/cooperazione_odontoiatricainternazionale_118.html
  14. ^ "Cooperazione odontoiatrica, mostra sul Nepal per raccogliere fondi". Giornale della Previdenza. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  15. ^ https://www.cooperazioneodontoiatrica.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GdP_N1_2025-59-68.pdf
  16. ^ https://www.dentaljournal.it/salute-orale-comunita-svantaggiate-aperte-iscrizioni-master-coi/