Mariana Gonzalez Cademartori1, Denise Paiva Da Rosa1, Luísa Jardim Correa Oliveira1, Marcos Britto Corrêa2, Marília Leão Goettems3. 1. Pediatric Dentistry, Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil. 2. Dentistry, Department of Dentistry and Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil. 3. Department of Social and Preventive Dentistry and Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Venham's Behavior Rating Scale (VBRS) is a measure of uncooperative behavior developed to assess children's responses to dental stress. AIM: To evaluate the validity of the Brazilian version of the VBRS. DESIGN: Children aged 7-13 years were invited to participate in this study. Child behavior was concurrently assessed with both the VBRS and the Frankl Scale. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to determine the cut-off points of the Brazilian version of the VBRS. Criterion validity was determined using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Discriminant validity was tested before and after scale dichotomization. RESULTS: A total of 265 children participated in this study. According to the ROC curve, the ≥1 cut-off point was best for this population (SENS 97.4%; SPEC 94.7%). The Brazilian version of the VBRS was significantly correlated with the Frankl Scale (r -0.69; <0.001, r -0.72; <0.001). Child behavior assessed was related to complexity of treatment, type of procedure, use of local anesthesia, and dental fear. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide strong evidence for the validity of Brazilian version of the VBRS in behavior assessment of children aged 7-13 years during dental care.
BACKGROUND: Venham's Behavior Rating Scale (VBRS) is a measure of uncooperative behavior developed to assess children's responses to dental stress. AIM: To evaluate the validity of the Brazilian version of the VBRS. DESIGN:Children aged 7-13 years were invited to participate in this study. Child behavior was concurrently assessed with both the VBRS and the Frankl Scale. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to determine the cut-off points of the Brazilian version of the VBRS. Criterion validity was determined using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Discriminant validity was tested before and after scale dichotomization. RESULTS: A total of 265 children participated in this study. According to the ROC curve, the ≥1 cut-off point was best for this population (SENS 97.4%; SPEC 94.7%). The Brazilian version of the VBRS was significantly correlated with the Frankl Scale (r -0.69; <0.001, r -0.72; <0.001). Child behavior assessed was related to complexity of treatment, type of procedure, use of local anesthesia, and dental fear. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide strong evidence for the validity of Brazilian version of the VBRS in behavior assessment of children aged 7-13 years during dental care.