How much does emergency NHS dental treatment cost?

Emergency NHS dental treatment costs £26.80, the same as a Band 1 charge. This covers examination, pain relief, and urgent treatment.

What should I do in a dental emergency?

Call your regular NHS dentist first. If they can't see you urgently, call NHS 111 for advice and to be directed to an emergency dental service. Only go to A&E for uncontrolled bleeding, facial swelling affecting breathing, or jaw trauma.

Emergency NHS Dental Treatment — Cost & What to Do

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

The NHS considers the following to be dental emergencies:

Severe toothache that cannot be controlled with painkillers
A dental abscess (painful swelling in the mouth or face)
A knocked-out permanent tooth (re-implantation is time-critical)
A broken or fractured tooth causing pain or sharp edges
Uncontrolled bleeding after a tooth extraction
A crown or filling that has come out, causing pain
Facial swelling spreading to the eye or neck

What Emergency Treatment Covers

The £26.80 emergency charge covers urgent treatment to address your immediate problem:

Emergency examination

Temporary fillings

Extraction to relieve pain

Draining of abscesses

Re-cementing a crown that has come off

Prescriptions for antibiotics or painkillers

What to Do Step by Step

During practice hours:

Call your regular NHS dentist and explain the emergency
Most practices keep emergency appointment slots available each day
If your practice can't see you, they should advise you where to go

Outside practice hours (evenings, weekends, bank holidays):

Call NHS 111 (available 24/7)
They will assess your symptoms and direct you to an out-of-hours dental service
Some areas have dedicated emergency dental clinics

Managing Pain While Waiting

Take over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen is generally most effective for dental pain)
Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek
Rinse with warm salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water)
Avoid very hot or cold food and drinks
If a filling has come out, sugar-free chewing gum can temporarily protect the cavity

Knocked-Out Tooth: What to Do

If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, time is critical. The tooth can often be re-implanted if you act within 30-60 minutes:

Pick up the tooth by the crown (white part), never the root
If dirty, rinse briefly with milk or saliva (not water)
Try to push it back into the socket and bite down gently on a clean cloth
If you can't re-insert it, store it in milk or inside your cheek
Get to a dentist or A&E immediately

Will I Need Follow-Up Treatment?

Emergency treatment addresses the immediate problem only. You will likely need a follow-up appointment for definitive treatment. This follow-up is a separate course of treatment and will be charged at the appropriate band (Band 1, 2, or 3) depending on what treatment is needed.