Is it a dental emergency?
Not every dental problem needs same-day treatment, but some do. You need urgent care if you have: severe or worsening toothache that painkillers aren't controlling, facial swelling (especially around the jaw, cheek or eye), a knocked-out adult tooth, a tooth broken so badly it's cutting your mouth, or a dental abscess (a swelling with a bad taste or fever).
If you have difficulty swallowing or breathing, significant facial swelling, or a high fever alongside dental pain — go to A&E or call 999. These can indicate a serious spreading infection.
Step 1: Call your own dentist first
If you're already registered with a dentist, call them first — even outside of hours. Most practices have an answerphone message with an out-of-hours emergency number. NHS dental practices are required to provide urgent care for their registered patients.
If you can't reach your practice and it's outside normal hours, move to the next step.
Step 2: Call NHS 111
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — call 111 or use 111.nhs.uk. They can assess your situation and direct you to an NHS urgent dental service or emergency dental centre in your area.
In many areas, 111 can book you a same-day or next-day appointment at an urgent dental centre. You don't need to be registered with a dentist to access this.
Step 3: Find a walk-in dental service
Some areas have NHS urgent dental centres (UDCs) where you can walk in or self-refer for emergency treatment. Your local NHS trust website or a search for "urgent dental care [your town]" should show what's available.
Dental schools attached to UK universities also provide treatment — often at reduced cost — and frequently accept emergency patients. Wait times can be longer, but the care is fully supervised.
What will emergency NHS treatment cost?
Emergency NHS dental treatment is charged at Band 1 or Band 2 rates. Band 1 (£26.80) covers an assessment and any immediate relief of pain — this is the most common charge for an emergency appointment. If treatment like a filling or extraction is needed in the same visit, it rises to Band 2 (£73.50).
You may be exempt from charges if you are pregnant, have recently given birth, receive certain benefits, or are under 18. Tell the receptionist before your appointment.
Managing pain while you wait
Over-the-counter ibuprofen and paracetamol can be taken together (at recommended doses) and are often more effective for dental pain than either alone. Ibuprofen is generally better for dental pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties — avoid it if you have a stomach condition or are pregnant.
Dental pain relief gels (such as Orajel) can provide short-term numbing. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the tooth or gum — it can cause a chemical burn.
A cold compress held against the cheek can reduce swelling. Do not apply heat to a dental abscess.
Knocked-out tooth: act within an hour
If an adult tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently with milk or saliva — not water — and try to place it back in the socket. If that's not possible, store it in milk or between your cheek and gum and get to a dentist immediately. Re-implantation is most successful within 30 minutes.
Do not try to re-implant a baby (milk) tooth — this can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath.