Emergency NHS Dental Treatment
Cost, where to go, and what is covered
Emergency cost
£27.90
Band 1 charge
Cannot reach your dentist?
Call NHS 111 - free, available 24/7. They will find you an emergency appointment.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
Not every dental problem is an emergency, but knowing which ones require urgent attention can save you pain, prevent complications, and potentially save a tooth. The following situations are considered dental emergencies by the NHS.
Severe toothache
Pain that is not controlled by over-the-counter painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen) or that wakes you at night. This may indicate an abscess or nerve involvement.
Dental abscess
Swelling in the gum, cheek, or face, often with a bad taste, pus discharge, or fever. Abscesses need urgent treatment as infection can spread to other parts of the body.
Uncontrolled bleeding
Bleeding from the mouth that will not stop after 20 minutes of firm pressure with a clean cloth. This can occur after an extraction, trauma, or spontaneously with gum disease.
Trauma to teeth
A tooth that has been knocked out, loosened, broken, or displaced by injury. Knocked-out teeth need treatment within 30 to 60 minutes for the best chance of survival.
Broken or lost filling causing pain
A filling that has come out leaving a sharp edge cutting your tongue or cheek, or exposing sensitive tooth structure causing significant pain.
Swelling affecting breathing or swallowing
This is a MEDICAL emergency. Go straight to A&E or call 999. Dental swelling that compromises the airway is life-threatening and needs immediate hospital treatment.
Where to Go - Step by Step
Follow these steps in order to get the right help as quickly as possible. The route you take depends on the severity of your problem and when it occurs.
Call your registered dentist first
Even outside normal hours, most dental practices have an answerphone message with emergency contact details or instructions for their out-of-hours service. If you are registered with an NHS dentist, this should be your first call.
If no dentist or out of hours - call NHS 111
NHS 111 is free, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A trained adviser will assess your symptoms, provide self-care advice if appropriate, and arrange an emergency dental appointment at the nearest available service.
Attend the urgent dental service
NHS 111 will direct you to the nearest NHS urgent dental care centre. These are staffed by dentists equipped to handle emergencies. You may need to travel further than your usual practice, especially at weekends and bank holidays.
Dental access centres for walk-in care
Some areas have dental access centres that provide urgent care without the need for prior registration or a 111 referral. Check your local NHS website for centres near you. Availability varies significantly by area.
A&E only for serious emergencies
Go to A&E or call 999 only if you have facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or a serious facial injury. A&E cannot provide routine dental treatment and is not the right place for toothache or broken fillings.
NHS 111
Free, 24/7. Assessment, advice, and appointment booking for urgent dental problems.
NHS England: 0300 311 2233
Help finding NHS dental services, including urgent care, in your area. Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
What Emergency Treatment Covers
Emergency dental treatment focuses on relieving immediate pain, managing infection, and stabilising your condition. It is not a substitute for definitive treatment, which you will need to arrange separately as a follow-up.
Covered in emergency
Not covered in emergency
These require a follow-up course of treatment at the appropriate band charge.
Cost Rules for Emergency Treatment
Emergency dental treatment is charged at the Band 1 rate of £27.90. This is the same charge as a routine check-up. Here is how the cost rules work in different scenarios.
Emergency only, no follow-up needed
If the emergency treatment resolves your problem completely (for example, draining an abscess with antibiotics), you pay one Band 1 charge and no more.
Emergency followed by Band 2 treatment
If you have an emergency visit and then need a permanent filling or extraction as follow-up, the emergency Band 1 charge is absorbed into the Band 2 charge. You pay one Band 2 charge total, not both.
Emergency followed by Band 3 treatment
If you need a crown or other Band 3 work after your emergency, you pay one Band 3 charge total. The emergency fee is absorbed. You are not charged separately for the emergency and the follow-up.
Eligible for free treatment
If you qualify for free NHS dental treatment (under 18, pregnant, benefits recipients, HC2 holders, etc.), emergency dental care is also free. You pay nothing.
Important timing note
The emergency charge is only absorbed into the follow-up charge if both the emergency and follow-up are provided at the same practice as part of the same or continuous course of treatment. If you see a different dentist for your follow-up, you may be charged separately. Where possible, arrange your follow-up at the same practice that provided the emergency care.
What Is NOT a Dental Emergency?
Some dental problems feel urgent but do not require emergency treatment. Knowing the difference can save you an unnecessary trip and help keep emergency slots available for those who truly need them.
Lost filling with no pain
If the filling has come out but you are not in significant pain and there are no sharp edges, this can usually wait for a routine appointment. Keep the area clean and avoid chewing on that side.
Chipped tooth with no sharp edge
A small chip that is not causing pain or cutting your tongue or cheek can wait for a scheduled appointment. If there are sharp edges, smooth them temporarily with sugar-free chewing gum or dental wax.
Loose crown that you can temporarily re-fix
If a crown has come off but you can reattach it temporarily using denture adhesive or over-the-counter dental cement, this is not an emergency. Book a routine appointment to have it properly re-cemented.
Mild toothache controlled by painkillers
If over-the-counter painkillers are managing your pain effectively, book a routine appointment rather than seeking emergency care. Monitor the situation - if pain worsens or swelling develops, reassess.
Broken brace wire not causing pain
If a wire has come loose but is not digging into your cheek or tongue, contact your orthodontist at their next available appointment. Use dental wax to cover any irritating edges in the meantime.
Unsure if it is an emergency? Call NHS 111. They will assess your symptoms and advise whether you need urgent treatment or can wait for a routine appointment. It is always better to call and check than to suffer unnecessarily or delay treatment that genuinely needs to be urgent.
Managing Dental Pain at Home
While waiting for your emergency appointment, these measures can help manage pain and prevent complications. They are not a substitute for professional treatment, but can make the wait more bearable.
Take painkillers as directed
Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be alternated (take paracetamol, then ibuprofen 2 hours later, then paracetamol 2 hours after that). Follow the dosage instructions on the packet. Do not exceed the maximum daily dose.
Apply a cold compress
Hold a cold pack or bag of frozen peas (wrapped in a cloth) against the outside of your cheek for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. This can reduce swelling and numb the pain.
Rinse with warm salt water
Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse gently. This can help clean the area and reduce inflammation. Do not swallow the salt water.
Avoid hot, cold, and sweet foods
These can trigger or worsen pain in a damaged or infected tooth. Stick to lukewarm, soft foods and avoid chewing on the affected side.
Sleep with your head elevated
Use an extra pillow to keep your head raised. This reduces blood flow to the area and can help reduce throbbing pain, especially at night.
Do not place aspirin directly on the gum near a painful tooth. This is a common folk remedy that can cause a chemical burn to the gum tissue, making the problem worse.