How to get emergency dental care
People who need emergency dental treatment are advised to contact their regular surgery - and their case will assessed on a priority basis. They will then be referred to one of two new dental hubs, in Bristol and Weston, for treatment.
On 25 March, a letter was sent by England's chief dental officer asking practices to stop routine dental care. However this has led to people being unsure of where to go if they are in pain.
For patients with emergency dental problems, NHS England is in the process of creating the local Urgent Dental Care hubs (UDCs) across the country.
UDCs are designed to provide care for people with urgent and emergency dental problems, after a referral from their local practice. They are meant to offer treatment to patients with symptoms that include:
- Fractured teeth
- Post-extraction bleeding
- Facial swelling
- Gum and other soft tissue infections
UDCs are also meant to accommodate patients both with and without Covid-19 symptoms.
