Improving Dental Care by Addressing Unfair Bias
Disrupting Implicit Bias in Dental Clinical Decision-Making and Mitigating Its Effect on the Dentist-Scientist Workforce Pathway
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · NIH-11168847
This project helps understand and reduce unfair biases that might affect dental care and the training of future dental professionals.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11168847 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Unfair biases can lead to differences in healthcare quality, how patients and providers communicate, and patient trust in the medical system. While much is known about bias in medical settings, less is understood about its role in dentistry. This project aims to uncover how implicit bias influences dentists' decisions and the recruitment of a diverse dental workforce. By identifying these biases, the project will develop ways to reduce their impact, ultimately working towards more fair and equal oral health care for everyone.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who have experienced or are concerned about receiving biased dental care could benefit from the outcomes of this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose dental care is not affected by implicit bias may not see a direct change from this particular project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to fairer and higher-quality dental care for all patients, especially those from groups often affected by health disparities.
How similar studies have performed: While similar approaches have shown success in medical settings, this project addresses a gap in understanding implicit bias specifically within oral health and dentistry.
Where this research is happening
BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE — BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: FLEMING, ELEANOR — UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- Study coordinator: FLEMING, ELEANOR
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.