Dr. Meenakshi S is an Associate Professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at JSS Dental College & Hospital, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSSAHER), Mysuru, where she is actively engaged in clinical education, research, mentorship, and institutional leadership. She holds an MDS and PhD and is currently pursuing a FAIMER Fellowship at MAHE, Manipal, with a focus on Interprofessional Education.
Dr. Meenakshi contributes to dental education at the national level as Member Coordinator of the Subject Advisory Group of the National Dental Commission’s UG/PG Dental Education Board. At JSS Dental College & Hospital, she leads the Oral Microbiome and Dysbiosis Special Interest Group and guides five PhD scholars. She also co-founded the Centre for Dental Clinical Research with fellow coordinators, with support from ICMR and JSSAHER, and serves as Course Coordinator for the Combined Cognitive Dental Ergonomics (CCDE) program, now in its third year with 142 students enrolled. She was also selected as a Student Faculty Mentor for the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders (AOHAB) Leadership in Global Oral Health Program.
Her research focuses on geriatric oral health, nutrition, and dental ergonomics. She has authored 110 peer-reviewed publications and presented 27 papers and posters at international, national, and state forums. Her externally funded research has received support from organizations including DBT, ICMR, the Central Silk Board, and Rajiv Gandhi-funded schemes. She has also undertaken two industry consultancy projects with Group Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
An innovator as well as an educator and researcher, Dr. Meenakshi holds five patents and five copyrights. Two of her patented innovations have been commercialized by Group Pharmaceuticals Ltd.: ANABEL DS, a polyherbal emulgel for denture stomatitis, and a denture-cleansing effervescent tablet formulation. Her copyrights include the MEND ergonomic assessment tool for dental professionals.
Dr. Meenakshi is also committed to community oral health. She was part of the team that launched JSS Dental College & Hospital’s Re-orientation Programme on Oral Health Care Delivery through Nurses in 2017, in association with the IDA Karnataka and Mysuru branches. Her contributions to dental education have been recognized by the Indian Dental Association Karnataka State Branch with an award for the development of unique educational programs.