Table 2 Rotated CFSS-DS factor matrix for all the children (n = 219)

1. Dentists

0.302

0.810*

-0.102

0.053

2. Doctors

0.010

0.754*

0.214

0.090

3. Injections

0.420

0.460*

0.232

0.073

4. Having somebody examine your mouth

0.592*

0.164

0.127

0.280

5. Having to open your mouth

0.668*

0.262

0.046

-0.096

6. Having a stranger touch you

0.046

0.070

0.877*

0.016

7. Having somebody look at you

0.133

0.109

0.844*

0.077

8. The dentist drilling

0.738*

0.324

0.036

0.136

9. The sight of the dentist drilling

0.755*

0.233

-0.058

0.052

10. The noise of the dentist drilling

0.878*

0.053

0.017

0.043

11. Having somebody put instruments in your mouth

0.789*

0.063

0.131

0.199

12. Choking

0.690*

0.069

0.048

0.152

13. Having to go to the hospital

0.125

0.260

0.069

0.830*

14. People in white uniforms

0.218

-0.060

0.022

0.818*

15. Having the dentist clean your teeth

0.652*

-0.155

0.184

0.268

Eigen value

5.499

1.616

1.333

1.221

% of explained variance

30.374

12.092

11.154

10.834