Oh man...having just had a tooth extracted a few weeks ago, I know what you're going through
Lucky for me...my dentist is very good...actually a cute little asian woman...and the oral surgeon (also a woman) she referred me too was equally as good.
That said...talk to anyone you know in the area to find the best dentist available (that's how I found mine). As soon as you find one...the magic words are..."Gimme DRUGS!"
There's little worse than a pounding toothache