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BMC Oral Health
Published in: BMC Oral Health 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Reliability and validity of the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale for Arabic-speaking children: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Azza A. El-Housseiny, Farah A. Alsadat, Najlaa M. Alamoudi, Douaa A. El Derwi, Najat M. Farsi, Moaz H. Attar, Basil M. Andijani

Published in: BMC Oral Health | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Early recognition of dental fear is essential for the effective delivery of dental care. This study aimed to test the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS).

Methods

A school-based sample of 1546 children was randomly recruited. The Arabic version of the CFSS-DS was completed by children during class time. The scale was tested for internal consistency and test-retest reliability. To test criterion validity, children’s behavior was assessed using the Frankl scale during dental examination, and results were compared with children’s CFSS-DS scores. To test the scale’s construct validity, scores on “fear of going to the dentist soon” were correlated with CFSS-DS scores. Factor analysis was also used.

Results

The Arabic version of the CFSS-DS showed high reliability regarding both test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation = 0.83, p < 0.001) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.88). It showed good criterion validity: children with negative behavior had significantly higher fear scores (t = 13.67, p < 0.001). It also showed moderate construct validity (Spearman’s rho correlation, r = 0.53, p < 0.001). Factor analysis identified the following factors: “fear of invasive dental procedures,” “fear of less invasive dental procedures” and “fear of strangers.”

Conclusion

The Arabic version of the CFSS-DS is a reliable and valid measure of dental fear in Arabic-speaking children. Pediatric dentists and researchers may use this validated version of the CFSS-DS to measure dental fear in Arabic-speaking children.
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Metadata
Title
Reliability and validity of the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale for Arabic-speaking children: a cross-sectional study
Authors
Azza A. El-Housseiny
Farah A. Alsadat
Najlaa M. Alamoudi
Douaa A. El Derwi
Najat M. Farsi
Moaz H. Attar
Basil M. Andijani
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Oral Health / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6831
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-016-0205-0

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