Validation of Faces Thermometer Scale (FTS)

The aim of this study is to evaluate validity and reliability of a novel digital pain measure tool, the Faces Thermometer Scale (FTS). Pain is commonly reported by children and adolescents undergoing dental treatment. Pain is also a strongly contributing factor in the development of Dental Fear and Anxiety (DFA). Professionals often underestimate the pain perceived by their patients. Self-report tools are seldom used to measure pain in a clinical setting, denying child patients the possibility to communicate their pain experiences.

The aim of this study is to evaluate validity and reliability of a digital self-report pain measure tool, the Faces Thermometer Scale (FTS). Children and adolescents (N=150) aged 8 to 17 years visiting a dental clinic will be asked to score their pain using three different self-report pain tools; FTS, Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) and Color Analog Scale (CAS). The validity and reliability of FPS-R and CAS is long established and will therefore be used to evaluate the psychometric properties of FTS.