Emergency Dental Care

Dental pain and swelling can be distressing. Our reception team will listen, ask structured questions and help identify the most appropriate appointment. We reserve urgent appointments on weekdays, but availability varies, so please call as early as possible—ideally before 10:30am.

An emergency appointment focuses on assessing the immediate problem, explaining the likely cause and helping manage pain or infection where clinically appropriate. Definitive treatment may be possible at the same visit, but some problems require a further appointment or referral.

Contact us urgently if you have

• Severe tooth or mouth pain affecting sleep or daily life
• Facial or gum swelling
• A knocked-out, fractured or badly broken tooth
• Bleeding that will not stop after an extraction
• Increasing pain after a recent extraction
• A lost filling, crown, bridge or veneer causing pain or sharp edges
• A damaged denture that prevents normal use

Call 01872 241955 during opening hours. If there is spreading swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, severe uncontrolled bleeding or a serious facial injury, seek urgent medical help through 999 or emergency services.

What happens at the appointment?

The clinician will review your symptoms and health, examine the area and take X-rays where needed. They will explain the findings, immediate options and costs before treatment. Temporary care may be provided to settle symptoms, followed by a planned appointment for definitive treatment.

Antibiotics are not appropriate for every dental problem and do not remove the cause of toothache. They are prescribed only when clinically indicated.

Emergency appointments and fees

Not currently registered with us

An emergency appointment for patients who are not currently registered with the practice. The appointment is used to assess the immediate problem and discuss the recommended treatment.

The £180 assessment fee must be paid in full when booking. X-rays and any temporary or definitive treatment provided are charged separately.

Registered patients

A 15-minute emergency appointment for registered patients to assess the problem and discuss the recommended treatment.

Pay-as-you-go patients: The assessment fee starts from £80. X-rays and any treatment provided are charged separately.

Practice Plan patients: The emergency assessment and necessary X-rays are included as Practice Plan benefits, except for panoramic (OPG) X-rays. Any treatment required is charged separately with a 10% Plan discount.

Frequently asked questions

Do you offer same-day appointments?

We reserve urgent appointments on weekdays, but availability cannot be guaranteed. Call as early as possible so reception can triage the problem.

Will the tooth be treated at the first visit?

Sometimes. The priority is safe assessment and relief of the immediate problem. Definitive treatment may require more time, further imaging, another appointment or referral.

What should I do outside your opening hours?

Call 01872 241955 for the recorded private on-call information. Patients needing urgent NHS care can contact NHS 111 or use NHS 111 online.

Can I book an emergency through the online portal?

For urgent symptoms, calling reception is best because the team can triage you and check the earliest suitable appointment.

Clinical review: Dr Oliver Turner, Joint Principal Dentist, MFDS RCS(Eng), PGCert Oral Surgery, GDC 309665. Last reviewed 23 August 2026.