Reliability and Validity of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale Among Children Aged 9 to 12 Years
<b data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Objectives:</b> Our aim was to study whether the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) is reliable and valid for use in children aged 9 to 12 years. <b data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Methods:</b> The study populatio...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Dentistry Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/13/6/248 |
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| Summary: | <b data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Objectives:</b> Our aim was to study whether the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) is reliable and valid for use in children aged 9 to 12 years. <b data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Methods:</b> The study population was a convenient sample of Finnish comprehensive school pupils in the third and sixth grades (N = 57 and N = 69, respectively). Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) were measured with the Finnish validated adult version of MDAS, the modified Child Fear Survey Schedule—Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS-M), and a single question. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha. The criterion validity of MDAS was assessed using Spearman rank correlation coefficients against CFSS-DS-M and the single question. Construct validity was assessed by examining the ability of MDAS to find differences according to gender and treatment procedures using the chi-square test for categorized and the Mann–Whitney and Jonckheere–Terpstra tests for continuous variables. <b data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Results:</b> The Cronbach alphas were 0.841, 0.708, and 0.778 for MDAS total, anticipatory, and treatment-related DFA, respectively. Correlations between MDAS and CFSS-DS-M total and subscale scores were moderate to strong (ρ = 0.559–0.794), supporting criterion validity. Girls in third grade had lower mean MDAS anticipatory DFA (3.4, SD = 1.44) than boys (4.5, SD = 2.21, <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">p</i> = 0.051). In sixth graders, girls had higher mean MDAS treatment-related DFA (8.4, SD = 3.17) than boys (6.9, SD = 2.61, <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">p</i> = 0.067). Children reporting orthodontic treatment had lower anticipatory DFA (mean = 3.4, SD = 2.13) than children not reporting (mean = 4.0, SD = 1.83; <i data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">p</i> = 0.009), supporting construct validity. <b data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">Conclusions:</b> The Finnish version of the MDAS showed good reliability, good criterion validity, and acceptable construct validity, supporting its use in children aged 9–12 years. |
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| ISSN: | 2304-6767 |