This may not be the appropriate group to post this to.  I am not a
dentist.  If this post does not belong in this group could you please
point me to a more appropriate group to post to.

I am almost 30 years old.  I quit going to the dentist when I was
probably 15.  I've went since but only once about 6 years ago for a
cleaning.  I had a bad experience as a child with a dentist that pulled
a tooth without numbing the area.  He gave me the numbing agent where
they pinch your gums with some sort of clamp and stick a cotton swab in
there but then got interupted and when he came back he proceeded to
pull my tooth without numbing with a needle first.

Anyway, this experience has kept me from going to a dentist and as a
result I now have major dental problems.  I did go for one cleaning
about 6 years ago and just sitting in the chair had me fighting off
panic attacks.  They told me I had 15 pin-point cavities, needed my
wisdom teeth removed, and would probably have to get a root canal (or
two) as well as a bridge/implant for one of my top front teeth.  I'm
sure things are worse now, although I've never felt any pain/sesitivity
until recently in one of my molar teeth.

Needless to say that was 6 years ago and I've let my fear from that one
stupid dentist keep me from getting things taken care of for too long.
I've always used the excuse that I can't afford it, which is somewhat
true... but I can probably afford insurance.  What is a good insurance
program for a person in my position?  Also, where I know I need all
this work done, am I even elligible for insurance?  Any advise,
especially from practicing dentists, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.