Being nervous is practically syosynonymous with going to your dentist! But rest assured, you are not alone, and your dentist will be well aware of your potential anxiety and will do all possible to put you at ease.
From a patients point of view, it helps to attend a dentist you like, trust and have built rapport with. Feeling confident in your dentist will help calm you before your appointment. Breathing excercises, listening to calm music and mindfulness techniques can really help in the waiting room while you are waiting to be seen. Your dentist may prescribe you anti-anxiety medication to help alleviate your nerves prior to your appointment. During the appointment, tell your dentist how you feel and he/she can talk you through the proposed plan for the appointment, and may allow you to listen to music or watch your favorite movie on an "in surgery" screen. We are here to help and we want you to feel and stay calm! Inevitably there is often a childhood memory of an unpleasant memory or something similar that may be making you nervous so try and distract yourself if any negative thoughts come in to your mind, There are many different techniques your dentist can use to help you manage your nerves, so speak up and stay calm. You are in good hands!