Table 3 Rotated CFSS-DS factor matrix for girls (n = 109)

1. Dentists

0.281

0.084

0.469

0.657*

2. Doctors

0.177

0.185

-0.113

0.758*

3. Injections

0.475*

0.383

0.377

0.147

4. Having somebody examine your mouth

0.605*

0.117

0.176

0.267

5. Having to open your mouth

0.763*

0.046

0.058

0.277

6. Having a stranger touch you

0.035

0.893*

-0.058

0.060

7. Having somebody look at you

0.081

0.869*

0.048

0.105

8. The dentist drilling

0.728*

0.104

0.283

0.144

9. The sight of the dentist drilling

0.823*

-0.091

0.056

0.299

10. The noise of the dentist drilling

0.868*

-0.026

-0.094

0.100

11. Having somebody put instruments in your mouth

0.773*

0.080

0.189

0.138

12. Choking

0.696*

0.104

0.225

-0.278

13. Having to go to the hospital

0.138

-0.020

0.771*

0.251

14. People in white uniforms

0.072

-0.008

0.786*

-0.230

15. Having the dentist clean your teeth

0.589*

0.193

-0.042

-0.327

Eigen value

5.49

1.72

1.49

1.28

% of explained variance

31.38

12.21

12.05

10.87