Adj Yolanda Malele-Kolisa

Yolanda Malele-Kolisa is a public health dentistry scholar whose work centers on oral health systems, community-based prevention, and equity in access to care across Southern and East Africa. Affiliated with academic and clinical networks in the region, her scholarship engages policy, workforce development, and service delivery, with contributions to discussions on national health insurance reform and its implications for oral health.

Her research places strong emphasis on vulnerable populations, particularly people living with HIV in Rwanda, examining dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral health–related quality of life. Through comparative and mixed-methods studies, she highlights structural barriers, workforce constraints, and supply chain challenges affecting oral health practitioners, advancing evidence for integrating oral health into broader HIV and primary care services.

Malele-Kolisa also explores innovative and community-driven strategies, including the role of community health workers and digital health applications in promoting oral hygiene and prevention. Her work on mobile health feasibility and school-based interventions demonstrates a commitment to scalable, context-sensitive solutions that strengthen health promotion, professional education, and system responsiveness.