Abstract
Aim: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the reliability and validity
of the Malay version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), and to
determine the prevalence of dental anxiety and associated factors in a Malaysian
population.
Methods: A Malay-language questionnaire with questions to elicit demographic
and dental care-related information, and the Malay version of the MDAS, were
administered to 455 patients at the dental outpatient clinics of the Hospital
Universiti Sains Malaysia. Factor analysis and internal consistency statistics
were generated. A test–retest of the questionnaire was performed with 30 participants.
Results: Cronbach’s alpha was 0.854, indicating good internal consistency. Factor
analysis yielded results showing good validity. Approximately 3.5% of the
participants expressed the highest levels of anxiety. Dental anxiety was significantly
higher among females than males. Age correlated inversely with dental
anxiety. Individuals seeking dental care only if a problem appeared had significantly
more anxiety than regular attendees. Patients who postponed treatment
because of fear had significantly higher anxiety levels than those who delayed
treatment for other reasons. Past adverse dental experience exacerbated dental
anxiety.
Conclusion: The Malay version of the MDAS had good reliability and validity.
Anxiety levels found in the Malaysians studied were comparable to participants
from other countries.
of the Malay version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), and to
determine the prevalence of dental anxiety and associated factors in a Malaysian
population.
Methods: A Malay-language questionnaire with questions to elicit demographic
and dental care-related information, and the Malay version of the MDAS, were
administered to 455 patients at the dental outpatient clinics of the Hospital
Universiti Sains Malaysia. Factor analysis and internal consistency statistics
were generated. A test–retest of the questionnaire was performed with 30 participants.
Results: Cronbach’s alpha was 0.854, indicating good internal consistency. Factor
analysis yielded results showing good validity. Approximately 3.5% of the
participants expressed the highest levels of anxiety. Dental anxiety was significantly
higher among females than males. Age correlated inversely with dental
anxiety. Individuals seeking dental care only if a problem appeared had significantly
more anxiety than regular attendees. Patients who postponed treatment
because of fear had significantly higher anxiety levels than those who delayed
treatment for other reasons. Past adverse dental experience exacerbated dental
anxiety.
Conclusion: The Malay version of the MDAS had good reliability and validity.
Anxiety levels found in the Malaysians studied were comparable to participants
from other countries.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-8 |
| Journal | Journal of Investigative and Clinical Dentistry |
| Volume | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Keywords
- adverse dental experience
- dental anxiety
- Malay translation
- Modified Dental Anxiety Scale
- psychometric