The Dental Attitudes Questionnaire: comparing two response formats.

In 1984 the Dental Attitudes Questionnaire, an instrument for assessing oral health care attitudes, was proposed. The DAQ has six content scales (Cynicism, Health Concern, Motivation, Oral Function, Social Aesthetic, Susceptibility) and two validity scales (Halo, Infrequency). The original items had an 'agree-disagree' format. We compared this dichotomous format with a six-point response format. Results obtained with the two-point scale did not meet acceptable psychometric criteria. The six-point scale resulted in acceptable item and subtest parameters and variance, internal reliability and test/retest reliability. For eight items, rewording was suggested. Future research is indicated.