Mannat Tiwana, BDS, MPH
MANNAT TIWANA
Nominated From: University of Washington
Research Site: Jawaharlal Nehru University; Safdarjung Hospital
Research Area: Oral-systemic health
Primary Mentor: David Shoultz, PhD, MBA
Research Project
Integrating Oral Health into HIV and Noncommunicable Disease Care in India
This research examines the integration of oral health into HIV and noncommunicable disease (NCD) care in India, addressing a critical gap in health systems where oral conditions remain largely excluded from routine care delivery and surveillance. Despite well-established links between oral diseases and systemic conditions such as HIV, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, current care models operate in silos, limiting early detection and coordinated management. The project utilizes secondary data analysis, policy review, and existing surveillance frameworks to evaluate how oral health is currently incorporated within HIV and NCD programs. It focuses on identifying missed opportunities for preventive care, gaps in service delivery, and structural barriers to integration across clinical and public health systems. By generating evidence on these gaps, the study aims to inform more integrated, prevention-oriented models of care and contribute to strengthening health systems in low- and middle-income settings.
Research Significance
Oral diseases affect more than 3.5 billion people globally, yet they remain systematically underrepresented in health systems, surveillance mechanisms, and policy frameworks. This exclusion contributes to delayed diagnosis, increased disease burden, and fragmented care—particularly among populations affected by HIV and other chronic conditions. This research addresses a significant gap in global health by examining how oral health can be more effectively integrated into existing care pathways. By focusing on HIV and NCD programs, it highlights how current system design overlooks critical opportunities for early detection and comprehensive care. The findings are relevant to broader efforts to strengthen health systems and advance more coordinated approaches to disease prevention and management. By contributing evidence on integration and system-level gaps, this work supports more inclusive and effective public health strategies in resource-constrained settings.
Publications
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