Are Dental Emergencies covered by the NHS?

Has that dreaded toothache come back that you have been trying to forget? Or perhaps you have had an accident, and you need the smile put back on your face. Whatever the situation, we can all agree that dental emergencies are far from fun!

Dental emergencies NHS treatments are covered as part of the NHS bandings for treatment fees. Whilst you can book into your local NHS practice if you are experiencing an unwanted dental nightmare, you are likely to be faced with referrals, long waiting times, and the need to travel further afield to get booked in.

There is no denying that the NHS offers quality dentistry which is confirmed by the 78% of patients who say that they have had a positive experience. It is just important to consider the type of service that will provide you with the most timely relief. In this blog, we will look at what costs the NHS covers and give you some food for thought when booking your next appointment. 

What is classed as a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies are not pleasant for anyone to deal with, but the fact is that 47% of people have suffered from unwanted dental disasters in recent years. If you are in a sudden onset of pain or discomfort, you may wonder if your situation is a dental emergency. 

To simplify things, we define a dental emergency as something unexpected that causes you pain or prolonged discomfort. These situations can also lead to further oral health issues that are progressively hard to resolve.

The following situations are all classed as a cause for needing emergency dental treatment:

– Uncontrollable bleeding (If left untreated, this could lead to blood loss, nerve damage, and infection)

– Swelling (The cause needs to be quickly defined to stop impact on any other body parts)

– Bodily trauma (This could be the result of an accident and requires targeted dental and medical attention)

– Infections (These could lead to broader health conditions and affect your overall immune system if left untreated)

– Chipped or broken teeth that are sharp (If left untreated for too long, you run the risk of either cutting yourself or not being able to eat and drink properly)

The NHS’s definition of a dental emergency is ‘anyone that is requiring immediate attention to minimise the risk of serious medical complications or to prevent long-term complications’. Therefore, any conditions resulting in uncontrollable bleeding, swelling, or other bodily trauma should be treated hastily. 

Can I get an emergency NHS dental appointment?

NHS dentists cover all forms of treatments, but the speed at which emergency appointments are delivered cannot be guaranteed as fast. The general advice is to contact your own NHS dentist if you are already registered with a practice or call 111 if you are not listed as a patient.

However, NHS dental practices are generally oversubscribed, meaning emergency appointments can be few and far between. The maximum lead time stated by the NHS for non-urgent care is 18 weeks, representing a large service different from private practice care. The pandemic has also meant waiting times can be as long as three years for patients in extreme situations. This has led to a backlog of 40 million patients waiting to see an NHS dentist for routine appointments. The NHS, of course, offer emergency care, but the pressure that the industry is under due to the shortage of NHS dental resources means that emergency treatment can not always be guaranteed when it is immediately needed. 

What are the prices for NHS dental treatment?