• If you are suffering from dental or facial pain

  • If you have broken or badly moved teeth after an accident

  • If you have bleeding from the mouth you can’t stop

  • If you have gum or mouth infections

Did you know?

Urgent dental services are available in Dorset, even if you are not registered with an NHS dentist. Patients can access these services quickly through NHS 111.

Help when you need to see a dentist urgently

Call NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk for an assessment. If you need urgent care you may be offered an urgent dental appointment at a local practice.

  • Swelling or infections in the face or mouth that are getting worse (but not affecting breathing)

  • Severe dental or facial pain that can’t be eased with normal painkillers

  • Broken or badly moved teeth after an accident
  • Knocked-out baby teeth
  • Facial injuries that may need a hospital check
  • Bleeding in the mouth that you cannot stop
  • Gum or mouth infections, like painful or rapidly worsening gum disease or cold sore outbreaks

Non-urgent dental care

These problems are not emergencies but still require a dentist’s help. Examples include:

  • Mild to moderate toothache that responds to painkillers
  • Small dental injuries, like a bumped tooth, that may need checking
  • Minor bleeding after having a tooth out that you can stop yourself
  • Loose or broken crowns, bridges, or veneers that aren’t affecting breathing
  • Dentures or other dental appliances that don’t fit right and are uncomfortable
  • Broken fillings or parts of teeth
  • Teeth that are wobbly but not at risk of falling out
  • Small swellings that aren’t spreading
  • Sensitive areas on the teeth or gums
  • A broken area in the lining of the mouth (ulcer), a sore that has been present for 3 or more weeks, or altered sensation