Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Arabic version of the Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear (IDAF-4C)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Arabic version of the Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear (IDAF-4C). A total of 167 participants completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 72.6%. The participants were asked to complete the adapted Arabic version of the IDAF-4C and the modified dental anxiety scale (MDAS). The participants were asked to complete the second form of the Arabic version of the IDAF-4C over a period of 1 week to determine the reproducibility of the index. The internal consistency of the IDAF-4C was high (Cronbach’s alpha, 0.94). The intraclass correlation coefficients for total score and each item were high (range, 0.98-0.99). In addition, the Kappa statistics for the total score and each item were high (range, 0.83-0.97). The Spearman’s correlation coefficients between the IDAF-4C total and the component scores were high (r = 0.86-0.92, P < 0.001). In addition, the IDAF-4C total and the component scores were significantly associated with the MDAS score (r = 0.67-0.71). The adapted Arabic version of the IDAF-4C demonstrated suitable psychometric properties. The current study indicates that the Arabic version of the IDAF-4C might be a suitable index to measure dental anxiety and fear in Arabic-speaking populations.