Do you avoid visiting the dentist due to negative experiences as a child? Do you wish you had the alternative of gentle, painless dental care? If so, you are not alone: Studies show that nearly 15% of Americans forgo their routine dental visits due to fear of treatment stemming from unpleasant childhood memories. Each one of these 30 to 40 million people is at a substantially higher risk of developing unpleasant dental conditions and an unsightly smile that always remains hidden from the world.