INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF SPECIALIZED DENTAL CENTERS BY EXPERTS CONSENSUS METHOD

Abstract

Introduction: Specialized Dental Centers (SDC) should support Primary Health Care (PHC) within medium complexity. Objective: Performance indicators were built based on a logical model illustrating the resources, activities, products and results required by a Specialized Dental Center to accomplish its mission. Methodology: To validate them, teachers, middle managers and managers (n = 6) assigned a score (0-9) to each attribute (validity, sensitivity, specificity, relevance, simplicity, cost-effectiveness, opportunity) of the indicators, before and after group discussion. Results: From 82 initial indicators, 63 were considered important by consensus (median ?7; interquartile distance ?2) related to motivation for work; absenteeism to the consultations; organizational atmosphere; patient safety; participative management; financial resources; productivity; health education and interaction Specialized Dental Center/Primary Care formed the final matrix that envisages to subsidize performance evaluations, mainly based on work processes. Conclusions: Thus, it is possible to help achieve the mission of the Specialized Dental Center and to build an Oral Health Network.

Keywords: Oral Health; Secondary Care; Health Evaluation; Health Services Research.