I’m late to the thread, but just wanted to reiterate what others have said. The “pinch” of the anesthetic injection was probably the worst pain. The process was relatively quick, especially if they’re only doing one tooth. Heck, the real pain was covering the costs that my insurance didn’t cover. :)
My guy did have me use a bite block to hold my mouth open. Very handy, definitely made it easier. When the process was all said and done, my jaw was a bit sore from being in that position for that long. But that past very quickly.
Be sure to communicate with your dentist and be honest. Before, after, and during the procedure. You’re the patient here, and they need to listen to you especially as it pertains to what you’re feeling. If you’re still feeling anxious (and who could blame you), you might ask to have one of those heavy xray blankets. It acts like a “weighted blanket” and can really help with some of those nerves.
It’s definitely a risky move, for the reasons you already called out. But sane? Yeah, probably. I’ve known a few people over the years that have done similar moves: dropping out of high-pay/prestige positions due to the stresses and general unhappiness. They’ve almost always ended up generally happier for the change. Just don’t be afraid to acknowledge if the move isn’t working. Don’t talk yourself into staying in a bad situation because you don’t want to admit that the move isn’t working.
(but also: drop an update in a few weeks. I’m now curious to see how this goes for you.)