The first time was the easiest and hardest at the same time. difficult child had never been, so he didn't know whether to be afraid.
*I* was a wreck, doing the "what-if" thing.
He was fine. I heard the dentist saying, "This is going to tickle a little bit ..."
My son did freak out once at the dr's ofc though, when he had to get a shot. He ran down the hall and hid. The dr and nurse didn't know what to make of it. Plus, we were the last ones there and they really wanted to go home.
The good part was that someone finally believed me ...
I would not make a big deal out of it. Just say, "We're going to the dentist, and then pick up some detergent at the store."
Make it as normal as possible.
Fingers crossed!