Psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the perceived prosthodontic treatment need scale: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses

Background: It is crucial to take into account the concerns of dental patients about their prosthodontic needs when planning the course of treatment. However, there is a dearth of research that examines these needs among adult dental patients. Objectives: This study aims to translate and validate the perceived prosthodontic treatment need scale (PPTN) in Arabic. Methods: The 17-item PPTN scale was translated from English into Arabic and completed by 206 patients seeking prosthodontic treatment in a dental hospital in Saudi Arabia. Data collection was carried out in September and October 2023. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to ascertain the underlying factor structure; a unidimensional scale was hypothesised and tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), including several multiple model fit indices. The assessment of reliability was conducted using Cronbach’s alpha. The convergent and discriminant validity of the final scale were examined. Results: EFA produced an 11-item scale distributed into three factors that explain 65.43% of the total variance with eigenvalues > 1. All items showed acceptable reliability, ranging from 0.65 to 0.84. The first factor pertained to social issues, while the second item was concerning dental appearance. Lastly, the third factor included functional difficulties associated with tooth loss or dental problems. The results of the CFA demonstrate a satisfactory level of model fit, with the standardised factor loadings ranging from 0.51 to 0.89. Convergent and discriminant validity of the model factors were established. Conclusion: The translated questionnaire was deemed legitimate and would be useful in comprehending patients’ perceived treatment requirements, hence contributing to the advancement of prosthodontic research and practical implementation.