Problems from deprivation of dental personnel in Primary Care Units was caused training project of Tambol Oral Hygienist and Assistant (TOHA). Also, TOHA was another new dental workforce which promoting oral health in rural area. For a period time, it was important to evaluate the project. The objective of this descriptive study was to assess performance appraisal of TOHA.
The research tools used for the data collection were questionnaires ,which were classified by the users. Questionnaires can be divided into 3 groups, group 1 : questionnaires for TOHA, group 2: questionnaires for commanders of TOHA, group 3: questionnaires for clients. Questionnaires of group 1 and 2 were distributed to all these people, however, 82.8% and 96.5% of the respective questionnaires have been returned. Statistics analyses of the data were carried out to determine percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum.
The study findings were as follows: 1) 91.7% working close to home were the main reason for selection task, proportion of dental jobs per the others was 66.5:33.5 (SD=18.2) and quality of working life was at a moderate level because average score was 3.7 (SD=0.5). 3.0 points (SD=0.5) was the lowest scores, that was item of adequate and fair compensation 2) Evaluation of TOHA’s commanders, 89.3% affordable dental work and the others were the main reason of employment and 57.7 % of TOHA operated dental job more than the others. Average score of TOHA’s performance was 4.4 (S.D.= 0.4), that was at a high level. It wasn’t found low level of performance items. 3) Average score of client satisfactions was 4.0 (S.D.= 0.5) which was at a high level and it was found that two orders of maximum client satisfactions were total satisfactions and oral instructions of disease and treatment ,these were 83.8% and 82.6% respectively.
The study suggested that there should be salary increased and clarify role and job descriptions of TOHA to stakeholders. In the area, role of the dentist in hospitals and local governments should be supporting this project. However, there should be evaluation of effectiveness of TOHA which would affects the sustainable of the new dental personnel sided.