title: Validation of the Malay version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and the prevalence of dental anxiety in a Malaysian population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the present study were to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Malay version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), and to determine the prevalence of dental anxiety and associated factors in a Malaysian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Malay-language questionnaire with questions to elicit demographic and dental care-related information, and the Malay version of the MDAS, were administered to 455 patients at the dental outpatient clinics of the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. Factor analysis and internal consistency statistics were generated. A test-retest of the questionnaire was performed with 30 participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cronbach's alpha was 0.854, indicating good internal consistency. Factor analysis yielded results showing good validity. Approximately 3.5% of the participants expressed the highest levels of anxiety. Dental anxiety was significantly higher among females than males. Age correlated inversely with dental anxiety. Individuals seeking dental care only if a problem appeared had significantly more anxiety than regular attendees. Patients who postponed treatment because of fear had significantly higher anxiety levels than those who delayed treatment for other reasons. Past adverse dental experience exacerbated dental anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Malay version of the MDAS had good reliability and validity. Anxiety levels found in the Malaysians studied were comparable to participants from other countries.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia.|Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Mohaideen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sitheeque
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Moustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massoud
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Suzana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yahya
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Psychology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
authors.forename: Gerry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Humphris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000145:classification* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Malay translation; Modified Dental Anxiety Scale; adverse dental experience; dental anxiety; psychometric