Professor of Dentistry, Adjunct Professor of Psychology, and University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor at the University of Michigan
About
Dr. Marita R. Inglehart is a professor of dentistry in the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine and an adjunct professor in the Department of Psychology, both at the University of Michigan. She received her education at the University of Mannheim in Germany where she also was a faculty member. She came to Ann Arbor as a visiting professor in the Department of Psychology in the 1980's, and remained there as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychology and a lecturer in the Inteflex Program in the Medical School. In 1990, she began to teach the behavioral science courses for dental and dental hygiene students at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and has been at there since then. Dr. Inglehart's research focuses on two main topic areas. First, she is very interested in the role of social determinants of health and health care and related patient-centered outcomes. Second, one central focus of her research is dedicated to educational research. Specifically, she explores the role of education in creating patient-centered and culturally aware future dentists and dental hygienists who appreciate the value of interprofessional education and care and embrace their civic responsibility as dental care providers.
Current Work:
Currently, Dr. Inglehart's behavioral/clinical research focuses on how being a person who self identifies as having an LGBTQ+ background affects this person's oral health, having risk factors related to poorer oral health, and oral health care utilization. Dr. Inglehart's current educational research focuses on (a) dental students' observations and experiences of gender related discrimination and sexual harassment, (b) international students' stress related to discrimination and differential treatment, and (c) the effects of being a non-traditional dental student (such as a student who is the first person in the family to go to college and / or professional school; who is a returning student; or a student who self identifies as a non-traditional student) on the student's academic confidence and perceptions of reduced opportunities for advancement.
Research Area Keyword(s):
Diversity related professional education
