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The Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule: Predictive Value and Clinical Usefulness

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Abstract

This study reports on the predictive value and clinical usefulness of the Dutch parental version of the Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS). Parents of 718 children (4–12 years) completed this CFSS-DS version before or during the child's visit. The dentist rated the child's dental fear during treatment on a 5-point Likert-type Scale from 1 (not afraid at all) to 5 (very afraid). Reliability analysis was performed, and correlation coefficients between the two measures were calculated. The reliability of the scale proved to be high (Cronbach's α = .93) and significant correlation coefficients were found (r = .58 and r = .68, p < .01). The negative predictive value of the CFSS-DS was high (.96), whereas its positive predictive value was relatively low (0.41). It was concluded that the CFSS-DS might be of clinical value as a screening device of dental fear, whereas its predictive value of fearful behavior should not be overestimated.

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Berge, M.T., Veerkamp, J.S.J., Hoogstraten, J. et al. The Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule: Predictive Value and Clinical Usefulness. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment 24, 115–118 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015392825448

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