Abstract
The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of an assessment tool for dental hygienists’ consideration of patients with mild disabilities. Thirty-seven preliminary questions were compiled through literature review, and thirty-two questions were selected through content validity testing by eight experts. Two hundred and three dental hygienists completed the assessment tool as an online survey. The construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the tool were investigated using the SPSS 26.0 program. The construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis. The internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) value with 95% confidence intervals was calculated for test-retest reliability. Ten items and four factors were selected through exploratory factor analysis. The internal consistency reliability of the tool was found to be Cronbach’s alpha=0.658, and test-retest reliability was found to be ICC=0.812. An assessment tool of care for patients with mild disabilities by dental hygienists is a reliable and valid tool suitable for the job characteristics of dental hygienists. It can be used in clinical practice and research.
Figures & Tables
Table 1. General characteristics
