Cross-cultural adaptation of the Arabic version of the oral health values scale.

Aims: The study aimed to adapt the original English-language oral health values scale (OHVS) to the Arabic culture and to test its psychometric properties.

Methods: The original OHVS was translated into Arabic language and pre-tested using cognitive interviewing. The psychometric properties of Arabic OHVS were examined in a sample comprising 416 Libyan adults aged 18-70 years, recruited from the main public and private dental clinics in Benghazi. The participants' demographic information, oral health behaviour, perceived oral health, the Arabic version of the OHVS (A-OHVS), dental neglect scale, oral health-related quality of life, oral health literacy, simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), and decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT) were collected. Psychometric properties were tested using content validity, construct validity, discriminating validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and floor as well as ceiling effects were examined.

Results: The Arabic OHVS was successfully and smoothly developed. It showed an acceptable level of equivalence to the original version, The A-OHVS presented an overall Cronbach's Alpha of 0.74 and the average score was 40.02, ranging between 26 and 54. All hypotheses predefined to test construct validity were confirmed. The bivariate correlation between A-OHVS and other health indicators shows a significant positive correlation between A-OHVS and oral health literacy (p = 0.000). On the other hand, statistically significant negative correlations were observed between A-OHVS and dental neglect and quality of life (p ≤ 0.001) as well as DMFT and OHI-S (p ≤ 0.001). Floor or ceiling effects were not observed.

Conclusions: The A-OHVS was shown to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing oral health values in the Arabic-speaking population.