This cross-sectional study investigated the linkages between oral health conditions, additional non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and overall health among women in rural areas of Tanzania. By conducting screenings at the community level, the research sought to uncover clustered vulnerabilities consistent with syndemic frameworks and to support the design of comprehensive, coordinated health services. During July 2023, a sample of 224 adult women was assembled through outreach programs in the villages of Burere, Nyambogo, and Roche within Tanzania's Rorya District. Each participant received a standardized clinical examination of the oral cavity, periodontal biomarker testing via the PerioMonitor™ device, and structured questionnaires that included the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) measure and the Hologic Global Women's Health Index (HGWI). Furthermore, a subgroup of 45 women was evaluated for blood pressure and random blood glucose concentrations. Merely 18.2% of the women indicated any history of blood pressure monitoring. The average Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) value stood at 5.16, while 40% displayed signs of heightened periodontal inflammation. Participants' mean OHRQoL score reached 11.15, suggesting notable impairments in daily functioning and emotional well-being related to oral health. Within the subgroup assessed for cardiometabolic markers, hypertension was detected in 49%, hyperglycemia in 2%, and hypoglycemia in 18%, with the majority of these cases previously unrecognized. The implementation of screenings in community settings was both practical and revealing, highlighting concurrent challenges from unmanaged dental issues, dysregulated metabolism, and limited access to routine prevention. Such patterns illuminate systemic and service-related inequities in oral health and reinforce syndemic perspectives, calling for holistic interventions that are sensitive to gender dynamics and local cultural contexts. Ultimately, these insights lay groundwork for replicable and enduring healthcare frameworks suited to settings with constrained resources.
