As I read all of your comments it's like I'm thinking out loud. I've been afraid of drs & dentists since I was 3. I cut my lip open real bad and Mom rushed me to the dr who didn't give me any pain killer first, just started stitching. So as I got older it got worse. I won't go into my own dental issues (story is too long) but I started a new dentist this last year and I let her know my fears right away. She goes out of her way to help me relax. Needles is my fear more than white coats. I'd rather have a catheter put in than a needle!