Maxine Brings Him Back-Janis, EdD, MPH, RDH

Maxine Janis

Professor of Dental Hygiene

School/College: Dental Medicine
Email: mjanis@pnwu.edu

Fields:

  • Dentistry ​
  • Behavioral health 
  • Higher education
  • Public health and advocacy​

Areas of Expertise:

  • Curriculum and instruction
  • Indigenous health and healing practices
  • Oral health disparities in Native communities
  • Public health policy and advocacy in tribal settings
  • Trauma-informed care in dental and health education
  • Integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in STEM and health curricula
  • Community-based participatory research (CBPR ​

Methodological Expertise:

  • Mixed-methods research
  • Qualitative inquiry rooted in Indigenous methodologies
  • Participatory action research
  • Curriculum design for culturally responsive education
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration across public health, education, and environmental science

Peer Reviewed Publications:

  • Ramos-Diaz, M.I., Lako Wechokun Gluha Mani Win (Maxine Brings Him Back-Janis), Stahobi (Henry M. Strom), Howlett,B., Renker, A.M., Yellowash (Davis E. Washines)., (2020). Roots to Wings – A Transformative Co-Mentoring Program to Foster Cross-Cultural Understanding and Pathways into the Medical Profession for Native and Mexican American Students. In The Wiley International Handbook of Mentoring- Chapter 25.
  • Smith, N.H., Lutz, T., Maupome, G., Lapidus, J., Jimenez, C., Janis, M.L., Schwarz, E., Becker, T. (2020). Long-term effects of a toddler-focused caries prevention program among Northwestern tribal children: The TOTS-to-Tweens study. Journal of Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology.
  • Janis, M.L., (2017). Journey of four dental hygiene students’ cultural competence: a case study. Dissertation. Publisher: ProQuest LLC. An Arbor. MI.
  • Haring, R. C., Skye, W.J., Battleson, B.L., Brings Him Back-Janis, Maxine; Teufel-Shone, N., (2014). Teeth and heavyset kids: Intervention similarities between childhood obesity and oral health interventions within Native American societies. Journal of Indigenous Research: Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 5
  • Priscilla R. Sanderson, Little M., Vasquez M.M., Lomadafkie B., Brings Him Back-Janis M., Trujillo O.V., Jarratt-Snider K., Teufel-Shone N.I., Brown B.G., and Bounds R. (2012). A Perspective on Diabetes from Indigenous Views. Fourth World Journal, Vol. 11, No. 2, Autumn 2012: 57-78
  • Janis. M. (2011). A Dental Hygienist Who’s Lakota Sioux Calls for New Mid-level Dental Providers. Health Affairs Journal, Vol. 30(10).
  • Helm, D., Janis, M., Begay, R. C. & Sciacca, J. (2010). A Model Minority Faculty Fellowship Program: Enhancing Minority Faculty in Health Professions and Reducing Inequity in Health Services. Journal of Allied Health, 39(3),111E-115E(5).

Non-Peer Reviewed Publications:

  • 2019 Smith, N.H., Lutz, T., Maupome, G., Lapidus, J., Jimenez, C., Janis, M.L., Schwarz, E., Becker, T. (2020). Long-term effects of a toddler-focused caries prevention program among Northwestern tribal children: The TOTS-to-Tweens study. Data Results Fact Sheets: Northwest Tribes Specific
  • 2005 Janis, M. “Wellness through Awareness: Creating Community Partnerships in Education” Poster Publication – Consortium of Professional Schools, Health professions, Dental Hygiene.
  • 2005 Janis, M. “Dental Hygiene Recruitment Brochure for Native American populations” Consortium of Professional Schools, Health professions, Dental Hygiene.
  • 2004 Janis, M. “Northwest Tribal Cancer Control Project Tribal Action Plan” Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board – Newsletter

Poster Presentations:

  • 2011 Janis, M. “Oral Cancer Side Effects” Contemporary Northwest Tribal Health Conference, Portland, OR
  • 2006 Janis, M. Self-Study Course “Providing Culturally Appropriate Dental Care to Children from Diverse Backgrounds” Consortium of Professional Schools, Health professions, Dental Hygiene Training Series