Investigating provider bias in dental care for underserved populations
Official title: Examining provider bias in an underserved dental patient population: Improving health equity through a Dental School Practice-based Research Network (dsPBRN)
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10931737 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about improving dental care for people who often don't get the help they need, by teaching future dentists to spot and reduce biases that can affect how patients are treated, and it involves dental students working together to gather real-life information on these issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $690,305 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DE033228-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931737 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals from underserved communities who seek dental care and may experience disparities in treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not belong to underserved populations or who do not seek dental care may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding and addressing healthcare disparities in dental care, particularly among underserved populations. It aims to train future dental professionals to recognize and mitigate biases that may affect patient care. By establishing a practice-based research network, the project will engage dental students and providers in real-world settings to collect data on the impact of racial bias in clinical care. The collaboration between the University of Maryland Baltimore and Howard University seeks to foster a culture of equity and inclusivity in dental education and practice.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved dental care and health equity for underserved populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in addressing healthcare disparities through community-based approaches, indicating potential for this study's success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oates, Thomas W — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Oates, Thomas W
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.