Urgent dental care

Emergency NHS dentists in the UK

63 NHS surgeries in England list urgent appointments on their NHS profile, and any NHS dentist can be asked. Call NHS 111 first for advice.

First step: call NHS 111

NHS 111 is free, 24/7, and will route you to the right service: urgent dental, GP out-of-hours, or A&E. Don't turn up to a surgery without calling first; emergency slots are limited and triaged. You do not need to be registered: you can ask any NHS dentist for an urgent appointment if you have symptoms. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the route is a little different, see below.

📞 Call 111 now Free from any UK phone, 24 hours a day.

When to go straight to A&E (or call 999)

  • Serious injuries to your face or jaw
  • Heavy bleeding from your mouth that will not stop
  • Severe swelling of your mouth, lips, throat or neck that makes it hard to breathe, swallow, open your mouth or open one or both eyes
  • An injury to your head or face that made you lose consciousness, vomit or see double

Sources: NHS, how to find an NHS dentist in an emergency; NHS 111 Wales.

Urgent dental care in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Scotland. Phone your own dental practice first. If you are not registered, call your health board's dental helpline during the day. Out of hours (Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8am, and Friday 6pm to Monday 8am) phone the emergency dental service on 111. Health board helplines on NHS inform.

Wales. Contact your dental practice or phone 111. If you are not registered, contact your health board's dental helpline: Aneurin Bevan 01633 744387, Cardiff and Vale 0300 10 20 247; in the other health boards call NHS 111 Wales. NHS 111 Wales dental information.

Northern Ireland. On weekdays contact your own dentist, ideally in the morning. If you are not registered, phone local practices; some see unregistered patients under the Dental Access Scheme. At weekends and on bank holidays call the Emergency Dental Clinics on 028 2566 3510 (lines open 8am to 12 noon). HSC out of hours dental treatment.

UK NHS surgeries offering emergency care

Sorted by which surgeries are also accepting new NHS patients (most likely to fit you in).

Frequently asked

What counts as a dental emergency?
Severe toothache that wakes you, a knocked-out adult tooth, uncontrolled bleeding from the mouth, swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, or a serious injury to the face or jaw. For the swelling/breathing scenarios go straight to A&E or call 999.
Can I see an NHS dentist on the same day?
Yes, but only for genuine emergencies. Call NHS 111 (free), and they will direct you to the nearest urgent dental service that can see you. You may have to travel.
Do I pay for emergency NHS dental treatment?
In England, urgent NHS dental treatment is charged at £27.90 (effective 1 April 2026). Some groups (under-18s, pregnant, on qualifying low-income benefits) qualify for free treatment.
Should I go to A&E for a toothache?
Only if you have facial swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or a serious injury. For pain alone, call NHS 111, and they will route you to dental rather than A&E.
How do I find an emergency dentist near me?
Call NHS 111 first. It is free, open 24/7, and will direct you to the nearest urgent NHS dental service that can see you, which may not be your usual practice. For routine care, use our NHS dentist near me search to see practices near you and their live availability.