Some times I get new patients that have been so traumatized by past dental experiences they literally start crying just talking to them. For these severe phobias, I often recommend a mild sedative before their first appointment.  I usually use  Ativan, Valium or Halcion. After taking this little pill 1 hour before their appointment, they come into the office feeling so relaxed that they start falling asleep in the chair. During the appointment, they start snoring. When their appoint is over, we often times have to wake them up to tell them its time to leave! If you are a dental phobic, try this one time and see how this works. Contact me if you have any questions. If you try it, let me know how it went.