Extra appointments are now available for people in Dorset who need urgent or unscheduled dental care.

These appointments are part of the 700,000 extra urgent dental appointments being rolled out across the country, announced by the government in February.

These appointments are for urgent conditions including:

  • 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

You do not have to be registered with a dentist to access urgent care.

If your issue is not urgent, you may be advised how to care for it at home or guided to contact a dentist for routine care.

To get an urgent appointment go to NHS 111 or phone 111.

We know how important it is to local people that they can get urgent dental care when they need it, so we’re pleased to be offering these extra appointments. The appointments are for urgent dental care only, so please check our website for a list of eligible conditions. There is also work happening nationally to improve dental workforce recruitment, retention and training.

Ashleigh Boreham, Deputy Director of Partnerships, Innovation and Research | NHS Dorset ICB

Call 999 or go to your local A&E if you have:

  • Swelling making it hard to breathe or swallow
  • Heavy bleeding in your mouth or face that will not stop
  • A serious injury to your mouth or face