The NHS provides clinically necessary treatment needed to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy.

Decisions about which treatment is appropriate will be based on your dentist’s assessment and clinical judgement.

Your dentist must make clear which treatments can be provided on the NHS and which can only be provided privately, and the costs associated for each.

Nationally an additional 700,000 urgent dental care appointments will be available annually. NHS Surrey Heartlands has been working with local NHS dental providers to secure these additional appointments.

Who is eligible for an urgent dental appointment?

Our aim is to enhance access to urgent dental care for people living in Surrey, ensuring that anyone experiencing an urgent dental problem can receive timely treatment when they need it most. Urgent dental care is available even if you do not have a regular dentist.

If you are experiencing persistent and intense pain that cannot be managed with over-the-counter medication, have swelling, pain, fever, have a broken tooth, fractured filling or are bleeding excessively from your mouth you should contact NHS 111 in the first instance via NHS 111 online or by calling 111 .

If you feel your conditions is life threatening, go to A&E or call 999.

Please note following triage with NHS 111 you may not always be given an appointment straight away. Therefore, you should not attend a dental practice without being given a scheduled time.

Dental pain can be extremely uncomfortable, but we would ask people to be mindful of their behaviour when accessing advice and support for a health condition. The NHS has a zero-tolerance policy against violence and abuse towards staff, patients, and visitors, meaning it will not be tolerated under any circumstances. This policy protects everyone and includes threats, verbal abuse, intimidation, and physical violence, whether in person, over the phone, or in writing.

Urgent dental appointments will incur the usual dental charge unless you are eligible for free NHS dental treatment.

How do I arrange an urgent dental appointment?

If you are unable to get an appointment with your regular dentist or if you do not have a regular dentist, visit NHS 111 or phone 111 who will be able to provide advice and support. If appropriate they will book an urgent dental appointment. You may be required to travel to attend the appointment. Please do not attend a practice without being given an appointment.

You do not need to be registered with an NHS dentist.

Where are the urgent dental appointments located?

There are several dental practices across Surrey who offer urgent dental appointments.

If you are given an urgent dental appointment by NHS 111 you may be required to travel to attend.

You should not attend a dental practice offering urgent dental appointments without a booked appointment.