Reliability and validity of the Revised Iowa Dental Control Index in a non-clinical sample

The Revised Iowa Dental Control Index (R-IDCI) assesses both an individual’s wish for control and his/her appraisal of self-control of the dental situation. Most previous research with this instrument (and the original IDCI) has been conducted with dental patients. This article describes the psychometric properties of the R-IDCI in a non-clinical population. 272 college students completed the R-IDCI, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control, Desirability of Control, and Dental Beliefs Survey. The results indicate that the measure has high internal and test–retest reliabilities as well as very good convergent and discriminant validities in this population. This measure is well suited for longitudinal or other designs where measurement stability and validity are important.