Mariana Gonzalez Cademartori1, Gleidi Cara2, Gabriela Dos Santos Pinto2, Vanessa Polina Pereira da Costa3. 1. Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, Brazil. 2. School of Dentistry, Specialized Faculty in the Health area of Rio Grande do Sul (Fasurgs), Passo Fundo, Brazil. 3. School of Dentistry and Graduate Program in Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas, Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dental Subscale of Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS) is a tool widely used to assess dental fear in children. AIM: To translate and to verify the psychometric properties, including factor analyses of the Brazilian version of the CFSS-DS (B-CFSS-DS) in two settings. DESIGN: The CFFS-DS was translated into the Portuguese language. In the first cross-sectional study (dental setting), 128 children (age: 4-12 years) participated. Mothers were interviewed; children's dental fear was assessed through the CFSS-DS and the Venham picture test; and child behaviour was assessed using the Frankl Scale. The second was a longitudinal study, with 103 schoolchildren (age: 4-12 years). Two receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn to establish the cut-off points. RESULTS: The B-CFSS-DS version showed good internal consistency in dental and school settings (Cronbach's α = 0.88 and 0.77 respectively) and a good test-retest reliability (Weighted Kappa = 0.767), as well as good criterion and discriminant validities. Factor analyses showed four factors. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of the CFSS-DS is a valid tool for dental fear assessment in children aged 4-12 years. Further studies with representative samples should be performed to strengthen the findings of this study, especially in the school setting.
BACKGROUND: Dental Subscale of Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS) is a tool widely used to assess dental fear in children. AIM: To translate and to verify the psychometric properties, including factor analyses of the Brazilian version of the CFSS-DS (B-CFSS-DS) in two settings. DESIGN: The CFFS-DS was translated into the Portuguese language. In the first cross-sectional study (dental setting), 128 children (age: 4-12 years) participated. Mothers were interviewed; children's dental fear was assessed through the CFSS-DS and the Venham picture test; and child behaviour was assessed using the Frankl Scale. The second was a longitudinal study, with 103 schoolchildren (age: 4-12 years). Two receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn to establish the cut-off points. RESULTS: The B-CFSS-DS version showed good internal consistency in dental and school settings (Cronbach's α = 0.88 and 0.77 respectively) and a good test-retest reliability (Weighted Kappa = 0.767), as well as good criterion and discriminant validities. Factor analyses showed four factors. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of the CFSS-DS is a valid tool for dental fear assessment in children aged 4-12 years. Further studies with representative samples should be performed to strengthen the findings of this study, especially in the school setting.