How to find an NHS dentist
You can find a dental surgery that's convenient for you, whether it's near your home or work, and phone them to see if there are any NHS appointments available.
You can search for an NHS dentist near you on the website.
Dental surgeries will not always have the capacity to take on new NHS patients. You may have to join a waiting list, look for a different dentist who is taking on new NHS patients, or be seen privately.
Once you find a dental surgery, you may have to fill in a registration form at your first visit, which is just to add you to their patient database. But that does not mean you have guaranteed access to an NHS dental appointment in the future.
Dental emergency and out-of-hours care
If you think you need urgent care, contact your usual dentist, if you have one, as some surgeries offer emergency dental appointments and will provide care if clinically necessary.
You can also contact NHS 111, who can put you in touch with an urgent dental service.
Do not contact a GP, as they cannot offer urgent or emergency dental care.
When to contact NHS 111
You can get help from NHS 111 or NHS 111 online if you have:
severe pain
heavy bleeding
swelling of your mouth, throat, neck or eye
Call 111 or use NHS 111 online.
When to go to A&E
Only visit A&E in serious circumstances, such as:
injuries to the face, mouth or teeth
severe or increasing swelling in your mouth, throat or neck, making it difficult to breathe, swallow or speak
Phone: NHS 111
Online: NHS online
NHS England’s Customer Contact Centre
Phone: 0300 311 2233
Email: england.contactus@nhs.net
For more information about NHS search NHS in this directory.
Visit the How to find an NHS dentist page on the NHS website
