Education
Health
Periodontal Specialist Dr. Vinitha Ramachandran Highlights the Critical Link Between Diabetes and Oral Health
Recognized for advancing diabetes–oral health research while promoting collaborative, patient-centered care through clinical excellence, education, and teamwork.
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 12: As healthcare increasingly shifts toward integrated and preventive care, Dr. Vinitha Ramachandran is helping reshape conversations around one often-overlooked aspect of chronic disease management the connection between diabetes and oral health.
A respected periodontist, educator, researcher, and PhD holder in Periodontal Medicine, Dr. Ramachandran has dedicated her professional career to advancing awareness of how periodontal health influences the overall well-being of individuals living with diabetes. Her sustained efforts in clinical practice, research, and education have earned her recognition as the “Diabetic Dentist,” reflecting her commitment to bridging the gap between dentistry and systemic healthcare.
Dr. Vinitha Ramachandran’s interest in diabetes care stems from a distinguished medical legacy. She is the granddaughter of Prof. M. Viswanathan, widely regarded as the Father of Diabetology in India. Growing up in a family deeply involved in diabetes research and patient care inspired her to explore the relationship between systemic diseases and oral health, ultimately leading her to specialize in periodontal medicine with a strong focus on diabetes-related oral complications.
Supported by advanced international training and years of research, Dr. Vinitha has consistently emphasized that oral health should be considered an integral component of diabetes management rather than an isolated aspect of healthcare. Scientific evidence increasingly highlights the two-way relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease, making collaborative care between physicians and dental professionals more important than ever.
As an active member of the Diabetes in Oral Health (DIOH) Study Group, Dr. Vinitha continues to advocate for interdisciplinary healthcare models that encourage closer collaboration between medical and dental practitioners. Through lectures, educational initiatives, research contributions, and patient awareness programs, she has worked to promote preventive care, early diagnosis, and improved understanding of the impact periodontal health can have on diabetes outcomes.
While her research and clinical leadership remain central to her work, Dr. Vinitha also acknowledges the dedicated team that supports her mission. She credits her two dental assistants, a dental nurse, and her media manager for contributing to efficient patient care, supporting research initiatives, coordinating clinical activities, and helping disseminate evidence-based oral health education through public awareness and professional outreach. She believes that improving diabetes-related oral health awareness is a collective effort driven by teamwork, patient education, and collaboration.
Her message remains consistent: better oral health contributes to better diabetes care. By encouraging patients, clinicians, and healthcare institutions to adopt a more comprehensive approach, she has become an influential voice in advancing holistic healthcare practices.
Beyond clinical excellence, Dr. Vinitha’s work reflects a broader vision of patient-centered healthcare where prevention, education, and evidence-based treatment work together to improve long-term health outcomes. Her continued research and advocacy contribute to the growing global recognition that oral health plays a meaningful role in managing chronic diseases.
Recognizing her significant contributions to periodontal medicine, diabetes research, and integrated patient care, Business Mint has honoured Dr. Vinitha Ramachandran at the Nationwide Health Care Awards 2026 under the category “Excellence in Diabetes–Oral Health Research & Periodontal Care – 2026” The recognition celebrates her outstanding efforts in advancing interdisciplinary healthcare and raising awareness about the essential role of oral health in diabetes management.
As healthcare systems continue to embrace integrated treatment approaches, professionals like Dr. Vinitha Ramachandran are helping redefine how chronic diseases are understood and managed, ensuring oral health receives the clinical attention it deserves within comprehensive diabetes care.
Business
PC Jeweller Clears Debt of One More Bank, Now 8 of 14 Lenders Fully Repaid — Debt-Free Target Still On Track for This Quarter
New Delhi [India], August 19: PC Jeweller Limited (BSE: 534809, NSE: PCJEWELLER) has taken another step toward its long-stated goal of becoming a debt-free company, informing stock exchanges today that it has cleared and repaid the entire outstanding debt owed to one more bank under its Settlement Agreement dated September 30, 2024.
With this latest repayment, the jewellery retailer has now fully settled dues with *8 of its 14 consortium banks, and notably, every one of these repayments has come in *ahead of the scheduled due dates — a detail the company has been keen to highlight as it works to rebuild confidence with investors and lenders alike.
Where things stand with the remaining lenders
The company isn’t stopping there. In its filing, PC Jeweller said it has already discharged more than 96% of the outstanding debt owed to the six banks that are yet to be fully settled. That leaves less than 4% of dues pending with this group — a relatively small amount in the context of the overall consortium debt the company has been working through.
Management reiterated that it remains “firmly on track” to clear this remaining balance and achieve a debt-free status within the current quarter itself, a milestone that, if achieved, would mark the end of a debt overhang that has weighed on the stock for years.
Why this matters for investors
A company shedding its entire consortium debt is a big deal, especially for a stock that’s been closely tracked by retail investors for its turnaround story. A debt-free balance sheet typically means:
- Lower interest costs, which can flow directly into improved profitability
- Stronger financial flexibility to fund working capital and expansion without leaning on banks
- A cleaner credit profile, which could open doors to fresh financing on better terms if needed in the future
- Improved investor sentiment, as debt overhang concerns are often a key reason a stock trades at a discount
The company itself acknowledged this in its communication, noting that the move “will materially strengthen its balance sheet and financial position.”
