Table 1 CFSS-DS mean item scores and standard deviations (SD) for all children, girls, and boys

1. Dentists

1.63 (1.02)

1.85 (1.19)

1.42 (0.77)

71.7 (<0.001)*

2. Doctors

1.47 (0.92)

1.60 (1.07)

1.34 (0.74)

30.6 (<0.001)*

3. Injections

2.49 (1.45)

2.73 (1.53)

2.27 (1.33)

39.7(<0.001)*

4. Somebody examines your mouth

1.37 (0.85)

1.55 (1.05)

1.20 (0.56)

66.1(<0.001)*

5. Having to open your mouth

1.47 (0.93)

1.67 (1.10)

1.28 (0.69)

70.2(<0.001)*

6. Having a stranger touch you

2.06 (1.35)

2.35 (1.47)

1.78 (1.16)

71.1(<0.001)*

7. Having somebody look at you

1.56 (1.05)

1.74 (1.22)

1.39 (0.81)

42.4(<0.001)*

8. The dentist drilling

2.22 (1.39)

2.58 (1.51)

1.89 (1.19)

100.0(<0.001)*

9. The sight of the dentist drilling

1.92 (1.28)

2.21 (1.43)

1.65 (1.04)

76.9(<0.001)*

10. The noise of the dentist drilling

1.76 (1.18)

2.02 (1.33)

1.53 (0.95)

69.9(<0.001)*

11. Instruments in your mouth

1.80 (1.21)

2.16 (1.39)

1.46 (0.89)

136.4(<0.001)*

12. Choking

2.21 (1.36)

2.51 (1.45)

1.93 (1.22)

71.7(<0.001)*

13. Having to go to the hospital

1.43 (0.95)

1.55 (1.10)

1.32 (0.77)

21.8(<0.001)*

14. People in white uniforms

1.27 (0.77)

1.38 (0.96)

1.15 (0.52)

34.9(<0.001)*

15. Dentist cleaning your teeth

1.42 (0.91)

1.62 (1.09)

1.24 (0.65)

68.0(<0.001)*

Total CFSS-DS score

26.09 (10.70)

29.50 (12.34)

22.89 (7.61)

163.05 (<0.001)*