Dr. Joshipura’s research interests include oral epidemiology, nutrition, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and pregnancy outcomes.

Her current research is focused on relating dental disease to systemic disease, and in evaluating dietary, inflammatory and other pathways for these associations. Although tooth loss has been related to reduced chewing capability, her publication demonstrated for the first time, using cross-sectional and longitudinal data, that tooth loss is associated with detrimental changes in intake of specific foods and nutrients, which may have implications for increased risk of cancer and heart disease. Her publications were among the first to show prospectively that tooth loss and/or periodontal disease were risk factors for coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke and peripheral artery disease.

The effect of tooth loss on diet and systemic disease is important in establishing oral health as more than just a quality of life issue, and it gives new emphasis to the prevention of dental disease. This is important from a public health viewpoint, as dental disease may be a modifiable risk factor for other systemic diseases. Since dental diseases are highly prevalent, a causal association between dental disease and systemic disease could have important implications for millions of people.

She is also part of a working group convened by CDC to develop self-reported periodontal measures that can be used for surveillance.

Bachelor of Dental Surgery (Bombay University) 1982
MS in Biostatistics (HSPH) 1989
ScD in Epidemiology (HSPH) 1995
Board Certified in Dental Public Health