Afraid of Going to the Dentist

I am a 43 yr old female who is afraid of going to the dentist. I have been to the dentist 2 times in my life and both times were awful experiences.

I have always had crooked teeth and insecure about my smile but, within the last 4 months, I have lost teeth in the front of my mouth and it is very noticeable when I talk. I have not left my house in 4 months because I'm to embarrassed to talk to anyone. I have missed parent-teacher conferences, my kids school productions, outings with friends, and other things because I am so embarrassed and feel like a freak. I did after 3 cancellations, finally go to a local dentist, only to be told that I needed the teeth I have left extracted and upper and lower dentures made at the cost of $5000 dollars.

I'm an unemployed waitress with no insurance, who wants more than anything to have the self-confidence to look at myself in the mirror and smile instead of cry, which is what I have been doing since that appointment.

If I can get assistance with this problem, I would gain the self-esteem to find a job, (I'm a really good waitress), and feel good about myself again and not like a freak.

Author Unknown
Modesto, CA