Forward-thinking members of the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry recognized this knowledge gap and created the International Centre for Oral-Systemic Health (ICOSH). ICOSH is a first-of-its-kind academic centre dedicated to ensuring that health-care providers from all disciplines have the tools they need to better understand and promote oral-systemic health. In addition to interprofessional and continuing education, ICOSH is committed to ongoing research and public policy.

What we offer

The curriculum consists of 30 individual courses. Each course provides direct recommendations for incorporating knowledge into practice, and includes supplemental resources for healthcare providers and their patients. Courses are currently available in both journal-grade hardcopy as well as interactive online formats.

Accreditation

These continuing education courses were developed under the auspices of the Division of Continuing Professional Development, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.

Upon successful completion (minimum 80% score), participants may collect applicable continuing education credits on a course-by-course basis.

Free interprofessional courses

The International Centre for Oral-Systemic Health (ICOSH) has become a global leader in interprofessional education for health professions students and in continuing education for practicing professionals that emphasizes the integration of oral health into the primary healthcare system.  ICOSH has become known for its commitment to interprofessional co-management through the approach of one patient, one health record and one care plan.

Research conducted over the last several decades has shown that diseases and conditions of the oral cavity can have a profound effect on overall health.  Through this research we’ve learned that health-care providers outside the dental office (including physicians, nurses, pharmacists and various therapists) can benefit from a deeper understanding of how the health of the mouth, teeth and gums can affect patient outcomes.  With appropriate education and training, non-dental healthcare providers are well-positioned to significantly improve poor oral health and associated systemic chronic inflammatory diseases/conditions.

Our innovative courses are guided by an advisory board of 50 experts from professions ranging from dentistry, dental hygiene, pharmacy, dietetics/human nutritional science, nursing, physician assistants, respiratory therapy, medicine, occupational therapy, speech/language pathology, and psychology. As more courses are developed, this will represent the first comprehensive curriculum for non-dental health professionals that will fill the gaps in oral health knowledge and its application to practice in disciplines outside dentistry.  All courses are available online at oralhealthed.com free of charge. These continuing education courses were developed under the auspices of the Division of Continuing Professional Development, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.  Upon successful completion (minimum 80% score), participants may collect applicable continuing education credits on a course-by-course basis.  Learn more about our courses by exploring the preview files below.

Educational handouts

Research highlights

Executive director

The International Centre for Oral-Systemic Health (ICOSH) was launched as an Academic Centre through the Office of the Provost in January of 2008 with Dr. Anthony M. Iacopino, Dean of the Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, serving as the Founding Executive Director.  Dr. Iacopino had been recently recruited from the United States and brought a singular expertise as an internationally recognized leader in Oral-Systemic Science to the University.  In addition to hundreds of publications and presentations within the field, he served as associate editor for “Grand Rounds in Oral-Systemic Medicine”, a unique interprofessional journal dedicated to communicating new scientific information and technical advances to health professionals and the public.  He had also been engaged as a highly regarded consultant and key opinion leader for many years on related topics for the dental industry, universities, governments and healthcare systems.

Contact us

International Centre for Oral-Systemic Health (ICOSH)
Room 260 Brodie Centre
727 McDermot Avenue, Bannatyne campus
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5