If it helps any, to me, you're definitely more of a 'cool kid' online than I am, but I know the feelings and I'm sorry you have them too :(

As for the dentist; all you can do is ask. I was thinking today how GISHWHES, if nothing else, has taught me to hear 'no' a lot. It's frustrating, but so many of the tasks rely on not just the gishers, but non-participants, to step outside their comfort zone, and a lot of adults just aren't willing to do that.