Table 4 Rotated CFSS-DS factor matrix for boys (n = 110)

1. Dentists

0.441

-0.121

0.064

0.757*

-0.194

2. Doctors

-0.166

0.220

0.166

0.826*

0.242

3. Injections

0.441

0.060

-0.007

0.545*

0.064

4. Having somebody examine your mouth

0.462*

0.439

0.320

0.011

0.107

5. Having to open your mouth

0.144

-0.049

0.882*

0.188

0.010

6. Having a stranger touch you

0.002

0.154

0.045

0.015

0.846*

7. Having somebody look at you

0.196

0.075

0.056

0.080

0.809*

8. The dentist drilling

0.788*

0.111

0.185

0.316

0.064

9. The sight of the dentist drilling

0.828*

0.131

-0.030

0.066

0.090

10. The noise of the dentist drilling

0.796*

0.194

0.396

-0.005

0.037

11. Having somebody put instruments in your mouth

0.608*

0.309

0.514

-0.100

0.163

12. Choking

0.643*

0.114

0.302

0.214

0.070

13. Having to go to the hospital

0.025

0.892*

0.107

0.180

0.197

14. People in white uniforms

0.316

0.771*

0.024

-0.022

0.058

15. Having the dentist clean your teeth

0.388

0.396

0.684*

0.019

0.117

Eigen value

5.65

1.79

1.50

1.05

1.01

% of explained variance

24.43

13.42

12.96

11.92

10.55