What is the direct answer?
An NHS urgent dental service can assess severe pain, swelling, bleeding, or dental injury when routine care is unavailable.
What does this question mean?
Urgent dental care means assessment of a problem that cannot reasonably wait for routine treatment. Services differ by area, so use the NHS urgent-care route or local emergency service available to you.
What can you do next?
Call the appropriate urgent dental service and describe pain, swelling, bleeding, trauma, and medical conditions. The clinician may examine the mouth, take a radiograph, provide temporary treatment, drain infection, or arrange follow-up.
When should you seek dental care?
Seek urgent help for uncontrolled bleeding, facial swelling, fever, a knocked-out tooth, or trouble breathing or swallowing. A routine appointment is suitable for a small stable problem without severe symptoms.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask where you should attend, what can be treated today, and what follow-up is required. Ask how to protect an injured tooth while travelling to care.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first?
Call the appropriate urgent dental service and describe pain, swelling, bleeding, trauma, and medical conditions. The clinician may examine the mouth, take a radiograph, provide temporary treatment, drain infection, or arrange follow-up.
When is it urgent?
Seek urgent help for uncontrolled bleeding, facial swelling, fever, a knocked-out tooth, or trouble breathing or swallowing. A routine appointment is suitable for a small stable problem without severe symptoms.

