Table 2 Pearson correlation coefficients for questions in all three domains using a degree of freedom two and critical value (0.39)

Has fear of dental work ever caused you to put off making an appointment?

1.72 ± 1.17

0.509

0.009

Has fear of dental work ever caused you to cancel or not appear for an appointment?

1.52 ± 1.15

0.452

0.023

Making an appointment for dentistry

2.32 ± 1.14

0.457

0.022

Approaching the dentist’s office

1.76 ± 1.24

0.638

0.001

Sitting in the waiting room

2.00 ± 1.08

0.490

0.013

Being seated in the dental chair

1.96 ± 1.24

0.724

0.001

The smell of the dentist’s office

1.80 ± 1.04

0.407

0.044

Seeing the dentist walk-in

1.77 ± 1.21

0.729

0.001

Physiological arousal. When having dental work done

My muscles become tense

1.80 ± 1.04

0.484

0.014

My breathing rate increases

1.88 ± 1.23

0.781

0.001

I perspire

1.64 ± 1.08

0.705

0.001

I feel nauseated and sick to my stomach

1.92 ± 1.15

0.790

0.001

My heart beats faster

1.84 ± 1.10

0.648

0.001

Fears of specific stimuli/situations

Seeing the anaesthetic needle

3.39 ± 1.13

0.641

0.001

Feeling the needle injected

3.42 ± 1.09

0.663

0.001

Seeing the drill

2.83 ± 1.40

0.773

0.001

Hearing the drill

2.79 ± 1.33

0.724

0.001

Feeling the vibrations of the drill

2.43 ± 1.07

0.577

0.003

Having your teeth cleaned

2.05 ± 1.20

0.641

0.001

All things considered, how fearful are you of having dental work done?

2.56 ± 1.37

0.634

0.001