Adaption and validation of the Dentist Trust Scale in Iranian adults

Abstract

Objectives Trust in dentists is a critical factor influencing patient adherence, anxiety, and oral health outcomes. While tools like the Dentist Trust Scale (DTS) assess trust in Western contexts, no validated Persian version exists. This study aimed to translate and validate the Persian version of the DTS for Iranian dental patients. Methods The original DTS was translated into Persian and then assessed for the content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR) by dental experts. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 281 patients across three clinics in Isfahan, Iran. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Cronbach's alpha evaluated structural validity and reliability. Associations between trust scores and demographic factors (gender, education, socioeconomic status, prior dental experiences) were analyzed using Pearson correlation and ANOVA. Results The Persian DTS demonstrated strong validity, with most items achieving a content validity index of 0.79 or higher. The scale showed good reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.805. Exploratory factor analysis identified two factors, reliance and confidence, which together explained 52.3 of the total variance. Men reported higher trust levels than women. Participants with higher education and better economic status also reported higher trust. Negative past experiences were associated with lower trust, particularly among women and lower-income groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion The DTS-Persian shows promise for use in Persian-speaking populations; however, further validation across diverse regions is recommended. Trust levels are influenced by gender, education, income, and prior experiences, underscoring the importance of culturally sensitive communication and trust-building interventions in dental care. Understanding these factors can inform tailored strategies that strengthen dentist-patient relationships, enhance patient cooperation during treatment, and ultimately promote better oral health outcomes.