I don't mind the dentist; my stepmother started taking me every six months for cleanings and checkups when I was five and it was actually one of the more stable relationships in my life so I see it positively! My last dentist I really loved (a woman dentist!) and that made going even "fun". But because I'm such a comfortable patient, the dentists enjoy me too so I'm sure that makes the whole situation much easier for all of us.

I did have a really big operation (my broken tooth was too "low" for a crown so they had to lengthen it) and that was a bit scary because it was at a specialist and had root canals, stitches, and other things to go along with it and I didn't know the people or the procedure. A lot of my fears have to do with the unknown. I have to work on myself not to get "ahead" of where I am at the moment.

I'm glad you have such a friend who can help by paying. Getting dental work is very important, can affect one's overall health. I'm sorry you feel guilty about it. Hope you can work your head around to being proud of getting it done at all, despite the fear, pain, and guilt. That's a real accomplishment on your part.