RESEARCH LABORATORY FOR ORAL and SYSTEMIC HEALTH (RLOSH)

A growing paradigm in healthcare highlights the strong connection between oral health and systemic diseases. Changes within the oral cavity often serve as early indicators of underlying systemic conditions, positioning dental professionals as key contributors in identifying at-risk patients and supporting comprehensive patient care through collaboration with medical practitioners.

The RLOSH focuses on investigating the role of the oral microbiome and infectious agents in systemic diseases. The laboratory aims to generate scientific evidence that supports early diagnosis, preventive strategies, and improved integration between dental and medical healthcare systems.

The laboratory’s research has contributed to the global health agenda of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG): Good Health and Well-Being – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Our research article “Epstein–Barr Viral Load in Exfoliated Cells of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders – A Cross-Sectional Study” (Kailash Kumar Gopalakrishnan Mahalingam , Leena Sankari Sankar, K.M.K. Masthan , Krishnan Mahalakshmi∗ , Venkatesan Naveen Kumar. Epstein- Barr viral load in exfoliated cells of oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disorders - A cross-sectional study. Journal of Clinical Virology Plus 1 (2021) 100051.) published in Journal of Clinical Virology Plus (2023) has been linked to United Nations SDG 3. The above article has shown unique results compared to the earlier reports on Epstein–Barr Virus and its link to Oral Squamous cell carcinoma and Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders.

VISION

The research Laboratory for oral-systemic health aims to explore the direct association of oral microbiome to varied systemic diseases. This research laboratory is dedicated to contribute knowledge to our society through excellence in research. The task of RLOSH is to promote health of people by generating awareness to the public regarding the link between oral cavity and the whole body.

Mission

• Promote quality research, knowledge generation, and interdisciplinary collaboration in oral–systemic health sciences.
• Investigate the relationship between the oral microbiome and overall systemic health to better understand disease mechanisms.
• Advance scientific knowledge on the etiology and determinants of oral infections and their association with systemic diseases.
• coalesce institutional expertise, research findings, and community health programs to develop strategies for prevention of oral infections.
• Contribute to the improvement of general health and well-being by addressing oral infections that influence systemic conditions.
• Translate research knowledge and laboratory expertise into education, clinical practice, and community outreach for broader societal benefit.