Development and validation of an Arabic questionnaire to assess dentist knowledge on managing deep caries cavities.

Abstract

Introduction: The interconnection between oral health and systemic well-being is widely recognized, with dental caries being a prevalent global oral disease. Understanding the diagnosis and having the ability to deliver the appropriate treatment is crucial for dental professionals to effectively manage this common condition and its complications.

Aim: To create and validate the first Arabic questionnaire specifically for assessing dentists' competence in diagnosing and managing deep caries cavities.

Methods: The study adopted a multi-stage approach, including translation and adaptation of existing questionnaires, addition of new items by experts, and a thorough validation process. The research sample size consisted of 20 dentists from Damascus University Faculty of Dentistry who participated in filling the questionnaire (test and retest). The questionnaire encompassed items divided into categories of diagnosis, treatment, and tools. Statistical analysis for internal and external validity, reliability, and other factors was conducted using SPSS.

Results: The questionnaire demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.804, 0.879 for standardized items) and good test-retest reliability. Some items showed strong positive correlations, while a few indicated weaker correlations, revealing areas for potential refinement. The study highlighted significant correlations in most parameters, affirming the questionnaire's reliability.

Conclusion: This research successfully developed and validated the first Arabic-language questionnaire for assessing dentists' knowledge in managing deep caries cavities. The methodology ensured the tool's reliability and validity, with practical implications for dental education and practice in Arabic-speaking regions.

Keywords: Dental Caries, Caries, Attitudes, Practice, Questionnaire survey, Deep carious lesions, Validation study, Dentists.