how do i get a frightened 3 year old to return to the dentist for treatment?

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she got through the check up fine. she had to go back for 3 cavities to be sealed. she was doing ok, but suddenley started crying. i cuddled her and she sat on my knee and calmed down. she opened her mouth, and the dentist just dabbed her tooth and finished. he said to end on a good note is best and return for the remainder of the treatment another day. i wish he just finished it. now we have to go back and sh is frightened. there are no drills, they just apply a seal. i think it was the air blowing on the tooth to dry it that spooked her.

any advice for getting her back in? sorry about typing, im multi tasking with a breast pump

That how I explained it to my son: together we put nail vanish on my nails, I showed him what happens if you wet your hand or touch the vanish and then I asked him to take the blow dryer and he was happy to hold it and to dry one nail at the time. And then again, wet and touch the nails, they are perfect.
Do the same with her DD, and, as she is a girl, why not paint her nails this time, and explain her that it is the same process with her teeth, and next time, you'll be at the dentist, talk to her using saying "he is painting your tooth, we have to wait till we count to 60, ..."
Hope it works for you

if it's still a problem ask to be referred to the NHS community dentist who are used to dealing with children who are very frightened. we have been with DS1 who was terrified - he now hops onto the chair and opens his mouth happily - but she is very practised in explaining exactly what is going to happen