Working Problems and Obstacles of Volunteer Dentist Team: A Case Study of Sirivaddhako Dental Clinic, Buddhamahametta Foundation

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to study the work of the volunteer dentist team and analyse working problems and obstacles at Sirivaddhako Dental Clinic (SDC), Buddhamahametta Foundation. Oral health strongly influenced on one’s health both physically and mentally. Having a good oral health provided a positive impact on the general well-being of a person’s daily life activities and vice versa. The statistical figures showed that dental service accessibility of Thai population was limited to less than 10% during 2007 – 2015 and towards downward trend in the future. This qualitative research applied in-depth interviews with 22 key informants consisting of 12 dentists and 10 dental assistants who were all practitioners attending meditation practices and thereafter participated in volunteer dentist team to provide free of charge dental treatments for monks, novices, nuns, practitioners, volunteers, and general public upon advanced appointment. The interview results were collected and analysed accordingly. The study utilized inductive content analysis to provide the results of the research.

The research findings illustrated that there were 6 identified working problems and obstacles of the volunteer team: 1) Personnel – limitation of volunteer dental assistants, commitment and consistency, different working style/ attitude, and unclear roles and responsibilities (R&R); 2) Working processes – front counter, during operations, and after service; 3) Equipment maintenance; 4) Stock management; 5) Communication; and 6) Covid-19 measures. The research results indicated that the study benefited to the volunteer dentist team or any voluntary organisation applying as a guideline for further study to find out solutions to rectify the identified problems as well as applying for service industries i.e., dental or medical clinics, hospitals, and hotels, etc.