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Training and calibrating evaluators for a national private dental office assessment program
A L Morris1, J M Bentley, A A Vito
1Department of Dental Care Systems, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine.
Journal of Public Health Dentistry
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Ten general dentists were trained and calibrated for evaluating private dental practices. Six days of training proved sufficient for achieving high calibration levels, enhancing evaluator preparedness.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Developing standardized methods for evaluating private general dental practices is crucial for quality assurance.
- A national program required trained evaluators to assess in-office dental practice methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To train and calibrate general dentists as evaluators for a national dental practice assessment program.
- To describe the training methods and calibration assessment techniques used.
Main Methods:
- Initial six-day training included lectures, record/radiograph review, patient examinations, and videotaped simulations.
- Paired evaluators assessed private dental offices.
- Calibration levels were determined by calculating the percentage of comparability in evaluator performance.
Main Results:
- High levels of calibration were achieved after the initial six-day training period.
- A mid-field training session further enhanced evaluator skills and confidence.
- Evaluators reported feeling well-prepared for their roles.
Conclusions:
- A six-day training program is effective for calibrating dentists as practice evaluators.
- Ongoing training and calibration are beneficial for maintaining high standards in dental practice evaluation.