Dental emergencies
If you have a dental problem you should, in the first instance always phone the dental practice that you normally attend.
Dental emergencies need to be assessed and treated quickly to avoid the risk of permanent damage.
They include:
- abscesses and swellings in and around the mouth
- bleeding
- trauma – for example knocking out a tooth
If you can find the missing tooth, try to reinsert it and see a dentist as soon as possible. Don't try to reinsert a baby tooth. Take your child to see a dentist as soon as possible.
Pain relief for dental pain
Always stick to the recommended dose on the label or leaflet when taking pain relief. If you think you've taken more than the recommended maximum dose, phone 111.
Broken or chipped tooth
Breaking or chipping a tooth isn't a dental emergency. If you can find the missing part of your tooth store it in milk and see a dentist as soon as you can during normal working hours.
Broken dentures
Breaking your dentures isn't a dental emergency. It can be dealt with during normal working hours.
If you're registered with a dentist, you should contact them the next working day.
If you're not registered with a dentist, contact your local health board using the details on this page.
Crown or bridge has come out
You can buy an emergency dental kit from a local supermarket or pharmacy.
If you're registered with a dentist, you should contact them the next working day.
If you're not registered with a dentist, contact your local health board using the details on this page.
Filling has come out and there's no pain
If you're registered with a dentist, you should contact them the next working day.
If you're not registered with a dentist, contact your local health board using the details on this page.
In-hours dental emergencies
In-hours is Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Registered with a dentist
If you're registered with a dentist and think you have a dental emergency during this period, phone your dental practice. They'll be able to tell you whether you should:
- be seen by your dentist
- go to a local hospital for care
Not registered with a dentist
If you're not registered with a dentist, follow the local advice given below.
| Region | Emergency contact |
|---|---|
| Ayrshire and Arran | Ayrshire and Arran Dental Helpline on 01292 616990 (Open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm) |
| Borders | Borders Dental Helpline on 0300 7900 710 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6.00pm) |
| Dumfries and Galloway | Dumfries and Galloway Dental Helpline on 0845 602 6417 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm) |
| Fife | Fife Dental Advice Line on 01592 226 555 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm) |
| Forth Valley | Forth Valley Dental Line on 0844 800 6886 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm) |
| Greater Glasgow and Clyde | Emergency Dental Treatment Centre on 0141 232 6323 (Open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm). |
| Grampian | Dental Information and Advice Line on 0345 4565 990 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.15am to 5.45pm) |
| Highland | Argyll and Bute - Dental Advice Line on 0845 833 2310 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm) All other Highland areas - Dental Advice Line on 0800 141 2362 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm) |
| Lanarkshire | Lanarkshire General Enquiry Line on 01698 753 673 (Open Monday to Thursday, 9.00am to 5.00pm and Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm). |
| Lothian | Chalmers Dental Centre 3 Chalmers Street, Edinburgh EH3 9EW Tel: 0131 536 4800. Dental triage and advice service, Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. Dental treatment service, Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. |
| Orkney | Independent NHS Dental Practices - Orkney Dental Practice on 0185 687 2030 or, Deyanov Dental Practice on 0185 687 7118 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm) NHS Orkney Practices - Balfour Dental on 0185 688 8258 or, Garson Dental Clinic on 0185 685 0658 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm) |
| Shetland | Phone a local dentist to arrange to be seen (Open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm) |
| Tayside | Perth and Kinross - Broxden Dental Centre on 01738 450 550 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm) Dundee - Tayside Dental Advice Line on 01382 596 990 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.30pm) Arbroath and Angus - Dental Advice Line on 01241 432 481 (Open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm) |
| Western Isles | Western Isles Dental Helpline on 01851 707 500 (Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00am to 3.30pm and Wednesday 9.00am to 1.00pm) |
Last updated:
30 May 2023