Dentist - how they ease patients nerves ?

[toyopl]

Pretty soon I need to go to the dentist, get few teeth fixed, nothing major, but the visit is coming up.
My problem is whenever I go to the dentist, I feel like I'm about to be executed, my heart is pounding, sweating like crazy and I get this stupid fear of pain.
Most of my visits end with me being suprised how nice and well it went, but I still feel liek I'm about to have a heart attack.
This all comes from being treated in Europe in early 90's by dentists that most of the time made me feel so much pain I remember it to this day.

My question is what is out there today as far as making the patient feel comfortable and pain free ? I always see on tv laughin gas, or commercials on radio saying "you sleep while we take care of your teeth".
Does modern science have something for people like me ?
So far the only thing I got from a dentist was local needle into the gums, but sometimes you can still feel the pain.

[Mars2012]

Believe it or not, some people are so anxious about dental visits that they request general anesthetic rather than local.

You need to tell your dentist that you have anxiety about dental procedures. If he/she is any good, they will try to ease your nerves. My dentist gives me a swab of numbing agent prior to giving me a needle. It helps. Remember to breathe...

If you are undergoing major work, the dentist can even prescribe a sedative in advance of the appointment. There are so many people who are scared/anxious about dental work...you are not alone.

[Catherine111]

Yeah not only you most of the people often frightened that on their visit to the dentist. The first thing i think is to find a good dentist who’s good with people who are terrified of dentists because many dentists are not interested to work with people who are fearful. But i think you need not to worry, as often dentists will simply talk to a patient while giving the injection, distracting them during the process.

[Forhad]

Recently I have visited to a dental care for scaling my teeth. I didn't felt any pain. It's really like you sleep while they take care of your teeth.