Development and Validation of the Patient-Centered Communication Competency Scale for Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists play a crucial role in patient communication, making communication competency an essential skill. This study aimed to develop and validate the Patient-Centered Communication Competency Scale (PCCS) for dental hygienists. Initial items were generated through a literature review, expert content validity assessment, and preliminary survey. An online survey was conducted with 400 dental hygienists working in dental clinics and hospitals. Construct validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and reliability was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha. The preliminary 38-item scale was refined through five rounds of EFA, resulting in an 11-item scale with three subscales: Assertiveness, Empathy, and Respect. The CFA results indicated a good model fit (χ²/df = 1.749, RMR = 0.027, RMSEA = 0.061, GFI = 0.941, NFI = 0.911, IFI = 0.960, CFI = 0.959, TLI = 0.949), with strong convergent and discriminant validity. The PCCS demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.862) and criterion validity, confirmed by its positive correlation with self-efficacy and job satisfaction. The proposed PCCS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing and improving dental hygienists’ communication skills, with potential applications in training programs and communication competency research in dental settings.