Be up-front with your dentist about it, or even the reception staff when you call for an appointment. It's such a common fear that no one in dentistry should be surprised or offended by it, and they can then proceed in a way that takes your fear into account and hopefully eases it. If you don't like the way they respond when you tell them of your fear - like if they're all "so what" or something - explore your options for a different dentist. There are dentists who gear their practices to dental phobic patients. For some reason I'm OK with the dentist, but I do get anxious about other medical things. I've learned to be forthcoming in telling health care providers about it (though at my regular clinic, evidence of my anxiety is all over my chart anyway) and more often than not, they respond thoughtfully. 1992casey is also correct. Confronting health problems (dental or otherwise) can be scary, but letting them go unaddressed is usually worse. Good luck.