dear Thomas, FIRST tell the dentist that you are Phobic! and may require sugar if your panic drains your blood sugar and you become cold and pale... Ask then to use warm water to wash out your mouth, even if they have to get it from the faucet, to prevent your being shocked. Ask if the dentist has music and earphones for you to distract yourself from what is happening, or perhaps you prefer to be told what is going to happen next... Take Control of your dental visit, Teach your dentist what you need, and Practice anxiety management skills: Watch your Breath, to keep aware of your level of anxiety; Count, on the out breath, to slow your breathing and heart rate (1001, 1002, 1003,, etc.); focus on something besides your thoughts, wiggle your toes and fingers, examine any pictures there may be, even look in your own mouth if it's reflected in the dentist's glasses. These are the things that helped me. I hope you find you have become so much stronger in the past 7 yrs, and that this is much easier than you are anticipating. Do let us know how it went~! best wishes,, Gus