A novel brief questionnaire using a face rating scale to assess dental anxiety and fear
10.4047/jap.2024.16.4.244
- Author:
Takuya MINO
1
;
Aya KIMURA-ONO
;
Hikaru ARAKAWA
;
Kana TOKUMOTO
;
Yoko KUROSAKI
;
Yoshizo MATSUKA
;
Kenji MAEKAWA
;
Takuo KUBOKI
Author Information
1. Department of Removable Prosthodontics and Occlusion, Osaka Dental University, Osaka, Japan
- From:The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
2024;16(4):244-254
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE:This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of a four-item questionnaire using a face rating scale to measure dental trait anxiety (DTA), dental trait fear (DTF), dental state anxiety (DSA), and dental state fear (DSF).
MATERIALS AND METHODS:Participants were consecutively selected from patients undergoing scaling (S-group; n = 47) and implant placement (I-group; n = 25). The S-group completed the questionnaire both before initial and second scaling, whereas the I-group responded on the pre-surgery day (Pre-day), the day of implant placement (Imp-day), and the day of suture removal (Post-day).
RESULTS:The reliability in the S-group was evaluated using the test-retest method, showing a weighted kappa value of DTA, 0.61; DTF, 0.46; DSA, 0.67; DSF, 0.52. Criterion-related validity, assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory’s trait anxiety and state anxiety, revealed positive correlations between trait anxiety and DTA/DTF (DTA, ρ = 0.30; DTF, ρ = 0.27, ρ: correlation coefficient) and between state anxiety and all four items (DTA, ρ = 0.41; DTF, ρ = 0.32; DSA, ρ = 0.25; DSF, ρ = 0.25). Known-group validity was assessed using the initial data and Imp-day data from the S-group and I-group, respectively, revealing significantly higher DSA and DSF scores in the I-group than in the S-group. Responsiveness was gauged using I-group data, showing significantly lower DSA and DSF scores on post-day compared to other days.
CONCLUSION:The newly developed questionnaire has acceptable reliability and validity for clinical use, suggesting its usefulness for research on dental anxiety and fear and for providing patient-specific dental care.
