Emergency dental care in the UK

Severe pain, swelling, or trauma. Here's when to call 111, when to head to A&E, and what NHS emergency dental services actually cover.

Updated 21 May 2026 · finddentist.co.uk

The finddentist team at Sorted UK Independent UK NHS dentist directory. We publish under one team byline rather than individual names. Read why on About.
Published & updated: 21 May 2026 Reviewed by: our content team against NHS England, NHS BSA, and CQC published guidance
This is information, not dental advice. For a personal recommendation see a dentist. If you're in severe pain, have facial swelling, or have suffered trauma, call NHS 111 or visit your nearest A&E. We are not affiliated with the NHS.

2,819 of 6,459 NHS practices in England are accepting new patients right now, updated daily.

Or browse the live availability map, or set a free alert for when a practice near you starts accepting.

The NHS has a system for urgent dental care, but you can't just walk into A&E with a toothache. Here's the right path for each scenario.

First call: NHS 111 (free, 24/7)

NHS 111 is the front door for urgent dental care. It's a free call, 24 hours, every day. The triage nurse will direct you to:

  • An out-of-hours urgent dental service, usually a hub run by a few local practices, with slots reserved for triaged 111 referrals.
  • A nearby surgery offering same-day emergency slots (limited).
  • A&E: only for the conditions listed below.
  • Self-care advice if your situation isn't actually an emergency.

Don't just turn up at a surgery on the chance of being seen. They will turn you away.

Go straight to A&E (or call 999) if you have

  • Swelling that affects breathing or swallowing: facial, neck, or under the tongue.
  • Uncontrolled bleeding lasting more than 20 minutes despite firm pressure.
  • Trauma to the face or jaw after an accident.
  • High fever with dental pain: sign of spreading infection.
  • Difficulty opening the mouth alongside swelling.

These are medical emergencies, not "dental" problems. A&E has the antibiotics, drains, and surgical capability.

What counts as an urgent dental need

  • Severe toothache that wakes you up
  • Knocked-out adult tooth (time-critical, get help within 1 hour for best chance of re-implantation)
  • Chipped, fractured, or broken tooth causing pain or sharp edges
  • Loose or lost crown or filling with pain
  • Soft tissue injury (laceration of the gum, lip, or tongue that won't stop bleeding)

What it costs

NHS urgent treatment is a single Band 1 charge of £27.90 in England, regardless of what the dentist does in that one appointment. If the work needs follow-up that isn't urgent, you start a fresh course at whichever band applies.

You pay nothing if you're in one of the free-treatment groups.

Find an emergency dentist near you

Many NHS practices keep emergency slots even when their "new patient" list is closed. We list these on our UK emergency dental directory, sortable by location and filtered to surgeries currently offering urgent care.

If you're abroad or out of area

Your home dentist can't help, but NHS 111 still works wherever you are in England, and the equivalent in Scotland (NHS 24, call 111), Wales (NHS 111 Wales), and Northern Ireland (varies by trust). They'll direct you to local urgent services.

Frequently asked

How quickly should I see someone if my tooth has been knocked out?
Within an hour for the best chance of saving the tooth. Keep it in milk or saliva, never tap water, and call 111 immediately.
Can I get free emergency dental care?
Yes, if you're in one of the exempt groups (under 18, pregnant, on qualifying benefits, etc.). The dentist still claims the cost. You just don't pay the £27.90.
Will paracetamol help while I wait?
Yes, for pain. Don't exceed the daily dose. Ibuprofen is better for swelling but check with a pharmacist if you have stomach, kidney, or heart conditions.

Sources & further reading

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Enter your postcode to see surgeries near you that are currently accepting new NHS patients.

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