J.R.
My son was deathly afraid of going to the dentist. The first dental office wanted him to miss a series of Fridays at school so they could sedate him to work on him. If that didn't work, they wanted to send us to the hospital so that he could be worked on under general anesthesia. I don't think so - isn't your job to get him comfortable enough to work on him.
I found Folsom Pediatric Dental office. I cried after the first appointment because the office was so warm, inviting and comforting. They explain everything to the kids. There are TVs overhead so the kids aren't so focused on what is going on in their mouth. The staff lets you go back to sit with your kids if you want to. They can sedated (give a gas through the nose that only affects the kids while they are there) the kids to make their gag reflex (which my son has a very strong one) relax.
We have not used their ortho services yet, but have had two consults - in which they have not charged us a penny for.
I can't tell you how much I love them. We live in Citrus Heights so it is about a 45 minute drive in traffic but it is worth it for my son and daughter to be so comfortable with their dentists.