I understand your fear. My (now ex) girlfriend persuaded me this summer to go see a dentist for the first time in twelve years. I was expecting a horror story of numerous cavities and possibly some extractions and to be told off for not going for so long. Truth was somewhat different; one filing needed replaced and one small cavity to fill and no lecture. Can't say I enjoyed the visit, but it wasn't the large scary monster that my mind had imagined.

Scott