Validation of the dental fear scale and the dental belief survey in a Norwegian sample

The aim of this study was to validate the Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Scale and the Getz's Dental Belief Survey in a Norwegian sample by 1) testing their ability to discriminate between fearful (n=151) and regular (n=160) patients, and 2) correlating them. Both instruments were highly reliable (Cronbach's alpha >0.90). Between 81% and 95% of the fearful and regular patients were correctly assigned to their appropriate groups with both instruments. It may thus be concluded that both instruments are valid. Also, the correlation between the instruments was 0.68, indicating that they to a large extent seem to measure the same concept. The most important predictor items for both instruments were related to avoidance of dental treatment.