Psychometric Properties of the Japanese Version of the Single Dental Anxiety Question: A Cross-sectional Online Survey

Abstract

Background: Assessment of dental anxiety using a validated questionnaire is important for its management and survey. Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional online survey was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the Single Dental Anxiety Question (SDAQ). Methods: The single question was translated into Japanese following the forward-backward method. Four hundred Japanese internet monitors (age 20–79 years) were included in the study. Sensitivity–specificity analysis and the Kappa coefficient were calculated against the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) using the 19 cutoff score for high dental anxiety. Criterion validity was evaluated using age, gender, dental attendance pattern, negative dental experiences, and subjective oral health. Results: Among these subjects, 11% were found to have high dental anxiety on the MDAS score and 9% rated themselves as very afraid of SDAQ. The Kappa coefficient between the MDAS cutoff score and the SDAQ classification was 0.58, the sensitivity was 0.56, and the specificity was 0.97. The SDAQ was associated with gender (P = 0.018), dental attendance pattern (P = 0.020), negative dental experiences (P < 0.001), and subjective oral health (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The Japanese version of the SDAQ has good criterion and construct validity but lower sensitivity than the original version. It can be used to assess dental anxiety in large dental surveys or clinical settings where a multi-item questionnaire is not feasible.

Psychological Distress, Dental Health, and Dental Fear among Finnish University Students: A National Survey

“…When compared with multi-item questionnaires, single questions of dental fear have been found valid and reliable [ 39 , 40 , 41 ]. Single questions of dental fear are easier and faster to answer in comprehensive and large studies.…”

“…As the question used in this study directly refers to ‘dental care and dental fear’, it can be used as a measure of dental fear [ 38 ]. The validity and reliability of assessing dental fear with a single question has been approved in previous studies in the Nordic countries and Japan [ 39 , 40 , 41 ]. Supplementary Materials shows details for the dependent variable and the independent variables.…”

Design and Practice of Japanese Interactive Teaching Systems in Colleges and Universities Under the Background of Big Data

“…Through this teaching practice, the study will explore an optimization plan suitable for the teaching of oral Japanese in secondary vocational schools. The findings aim to provide valuable references and insights for the application of the SPOC blended teaching model in the teaching in oral Japanese instruction within secondary vocational schools and beyond, contributing to the expansion and adoption of this teaching model (Ogawa et al, 2020).…”

The Abeer Children Dental Anxiety Scale (ACDAS) cross‐cultural adaptation and validity of self‐report measures in the Malaysian Children Context (MY‐ACDAS)

“…Many of the scales and surveys were established and cross‐culturally adapted to measure dental anxiety levels in children aged 6 years and older 6,9,13–16 . Thus, a child who can read, comprehend and respond to the questionnaire can participate in a self‐administered scale or survey 4,6,17 .…”

“…12 Many of the scales and surveys were established and cross-culturally adapted to measure dental anxiety levels in children aged 6 years and older. 6,9,[13][14][15][16] Thus, a child who can read, comprehend and respond to the questionnaire can participate in a self-administered scale or survey. 4,6,17 Nevertheless, using the Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) as an example, the same instrument recognises factors that cause dental anxiety and items that contribute to fear, 18 suggesting that the scales and surveys can be improved.…”