Dental Services

How Do I Find a Dentist?

Dental practices can only take on new people to be their regular patients if they have appointments available.  

To find a regular dentist you can search: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist

The dental practice profile will show whether they are currently accepting new NHS patients or accepting 'where availability allows'.

Not all dental practices will be able to take on new NHS patients. You may have to join a waiting list or look for a different dentist who is taking on new NHS patients.

Dental practices do not have to keep a waiting list, but when they do, you may be asked to join that waiting list. 

Urgent Dental Treatment

Toothache should initially be managed with over the counter pain relief until an appointment can be made with your general dental practice, if you have one. A Pharmacist can advise what is the best pain control to meet your needs.

Do not go to your GP as they will not be able to give you dental treatment.

You will need to see a dentist as soon as possible for urgent dental care if you have:

  • a very painful tooth or pain in your face which is not controlled by over the counter pain relief
  • a tooth infection or swelling in your mouth

Lost fillings, crowns or bridges are not usually deemed to be clinically urgent and you are advised to contact your local dental practice, if you have one.

Patients who have access to a regular dentist

  • Please contact your usual dentist for your urgent care needs
  • Ring NHS 111 if your dental needs cannot be met by self-care and you are unable to get advice or an urgent appointment at your regular dental practice (e.g. out of hours or at a weekend).  
  • You will be offered an appointment through NHS 111 if it is deemed clinically appropriate following a telephone triage.
  • The dentist will only try to fix the main problem you have. 

Patients who don’t have access to a regular dentist

  • Contact a local dentist in hours for an urgent appointment, OR
  • Contact the urgent dental care triage service by phone via NHS111.  Alternatively,  go online to 111.nhs.uk (for people aged 5 years and over only).   
  • The dental triage service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • You will be offered an urgent dental appointment if it is deemed clinically appropriate following a telephone triage.  Please be aware that urgent dental appointments are not available 24 hours a day.
  • The dentist will only try to fix the main problem you have. 

Urgent dental appointments are available across South Yorkshire but you may need to travel in order to access an appointment.

Dental Emergencies

You should go straight to A&E if:

  • You have bleeding that cannot stop after you have had a tooth taken out
  • Your neck or eye is swollen
  • You have swelling in the mouth or neck making it hard to breathe or swallow
  • You have had an injury to the mouth or face 

Updated:  February 2025

  • Clinical support group
    • Cancer, Palliative Care, Pain and Older People
    • Ophthalmology and ENT
  • Clinical support area
    ENT
  • Service type
    Out patient clinics

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