How to get an emergency dentist appointment
As well as meaning you are in discomfort, unplanned dental visits can be incredibly stressful if you have no experience booking an emergency dentist appointment. Whilst we all hope to avoid this unwanted issue, in the UK, 84% of adults are at risk of tooth decay due to poor diets and lack of dental care. This does mean the odds are against us when escaping any dental issues.
There are also a staggering 30% of patients who only attend if they need treatment, and 31% of people do not like attending because of fear of pain. At Didsbury Dental Practice, we understand the associated fears but are here to share our advice and support for how you can take the apprehension out of emergency dental care.
As a 24/7 emergency practice, we support patients daily who are unsure of how to get a last-minute appointment. The important thing to remember is that you are never alone in the fears or uncertainty that you may be facing. In fact, over 6 million people are reported to have put up with pain associated with dental issues for over two weeks before sourcing care.
We are here to tell you that you never have to suffer, and within this guide, we will share all the advice that you need to manage your dental emergency care with complete calmness.
What’s classed as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency can be defined as any issue that is causing you pain or prolonged discomfort. These annoyances often impact our daily lives and, unfortunately, can lead to other health problems if not treated quickly. If you are ever in any pain, we are on hand to help you feel better again.
Dental emergencies can also arise out of the blue or be the result of an accident. Whatever the cause, treating the issue promptly is essential for prolonging your dental wellbeing.
The NHS defines a dental emergency as 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 prioritised. You should also not attend A&E unless you have experienced other injuries beyond dental damage, as unfortunately, they are not equipped to deal with your needs.
Any form of infection should be treated as an emergency as if left untreated; it could worsen and result in broader health conditions. This is also the case for chipped or broken teeth if they are showing any sharp edges, exposing nerves, or causing any issues to the ability to swallow.
Anyone who is also experiencing any discomfort or pain with dentures, crowns, bridges, or orthodontic devices can also be classed as having emergency needs. This is because continued pain or the damage that can be caused by malfunctioning devices can impact the ability to eat, drink, or even swallow.
Despite this general advice, as patient care is our top priority, we also class any circumstance leaving you in discomfort as a reason for quick treatment.
How to get an emergency dentist appointment
Dental emergencies can happen at any time of the day or week. That is why it is important to us that you are not restricted in when you can receive treatment. Whilst we recommend having a dentist lined up in case of an emergency if you are not prepared do not panic. A simple google search will let you find services that are available within your local area.
Although appointments can be booked at short notice, many private practices are not often available around the clock so ensure you find one that is equipped to offer you support when it is needed. At Didsbury Dental Practice, our phone lines are open 24 hours a day. We also offer appointments 7 days a week from 9 am to 12 am. Our mission is to make you feel as comfortable as possible, so we will always treat you as quickly as you need it. Whether it’s Sunday morning or midnight on a Wednesday, you can call us for instant advice.
As well as finding a dentist that is available for treatment when you need it, you should also give the reviews and company feedback a once over before making any bookings. Even though this may not be your priority when you are in pain, you need to know that the practice that you are choosing can live up to its promises by way of treatment and support.
You can book an appointment regardless of whether you are an existing or a new patient by either booking a consultation online or by calling us on 0161 445 0005. Our three-step system of call, book, and pay, means you can be seen within the hour if need be. It’s as simple as that!
How much does an emergency dentist appointment cost?
Another stressful part of needing an emergency dentist appointment is the cost. Any unplanned expenses can cause a headache on top of the pain you are already experiencing. In fact, 40% of adults say they struggle to pay for dental treatment altogether, which means that emergencies are the last thing people want to deal with.
We offer a range of dental finance packages that mean you can rest assured in knowing that no matter what treatment you need, we will find a way to make it work for your financial situation. Unfortunately, some practices may charge you more for emergency appointments if they are not usually set up to deal with last-minute patient needs. You should therefore consider where you are booking in for your treatment as this may directly impact your final bill.
Emergency dental services can range anywhere from £15 to over £1000, depending on the service you need. If you do not book in with a practice that is established for emergency treatments, this could be as much as double or triple the normal amount. It is important to us that no nasty surprises happen when you come to settle your bill, so we provide an extensive breakdown of all dental costs, which can be found here. You will also be offered different treatment plans and options based on your needs so that you can choose an option which suits you completely.
The most common dental emergencies with costs are shown below to give you an idea of the prices you can expect:
- Extractions from £89
- Fillings from £65
- Root canal treatment from £280
- Diagnostic services from £15
These prices can of course vary and may end up costing you more if treatment is not carried out as soon as it is needed. Any injuries that start to heal poorly, infections that are left to spread, or chips that end up damaging other teeth can lead to an increase in your bill and further discomfort.
Do I need a private dentist for an emergency dentist appointment?
Whilst all dentists will provide treatment for emergencies, they may not be able to see you as quickly as a private service, such as ours, promises to do. If you are in immediate discomfort or suffering from an injury, you can call 111 for medical advice, but appointments for dental treatment cannot be booked in this way.
This means you will then spend time being referred to other outlets instead of getting the immediate care that your condition needs.
NHS dental treatments can sometimes take weeks and even months to confirm. Not only does this mean you will be in pain for longer, but it can result in something that wasn’t initially an emergency becoming one if it is not treated quickly. Emergency NHS treatment slots are also always limited, meaning that it is a first come, first serve basis for securing support. With growing numbers of families and people using services across the UK, this is not great if you are experiencing immediate pain.
It is common practice within healthcare settings for patients to call first thing in the morning if they need emergency or last-minute support. However, the reality is that a dental disaster can happen at any time of the day leaving you with no options for treatment if your regular dentist is no longer accepting treatment for the day. Therefore, private dental services are not the only way to sort your issue but can be considered the quickest and most effective way to relieve you of your symptoms.
What’s the most common dental emergency?
Dental emergencies can also arise out of the blue or be the result of an accident. Whatever the cause, treating the issue promptly is essential for prolonging your dental wellbeing.
The most common dental emergencies that we commonly provide treatment for are:
- Bleeding from the mouth that is uncontrolled – This could be the result of a tooth becoming dislodged, or a gum-related disease which should already be treated quickly.
- Swellings and Infections – As either a result of a dental condition or wide medical issues, these issues often need quick treatment to eliminate the infection from spreading further.
- Broken or Missing Teeth – Teeth are durable but subjected to a lot of pressure daily, making them susceptible to injury. Whether you have been in an accident or just bitten into something too hard, we can treat any chipping or missing tooth injuries. A chipped tooth can also result in sharp edges being exposed which may result in further damage to your mouth.
The following conditions are not necessarily classed as emergencies but do benefit from being treated sooner rather than later:
- Wisdom Teeth – As one of the most common procedures in the UK dental industry, Wisdom teeth discomfort can affect people of any age.
- Lost Crowns – Exposed nerves and unsupported teeth can lead to broad issues if not fixed swiftly.
- Toothache – This could represent issues including cavities, root canals, exposed nerves, or even dislodged filling.
What’s the fastest way to see a dentist for an emergency?
Private dental treatment will offer you the quickest way to see a dentist in your time of need.
As soon as you notice anything is wrong or different with your dental health, you should always book an appointment regardless of whether it is classed as an emergency.
If you are experiencing an emergency, we make it our mission to be able to see that the same day. A delay of even a few hours can be the difference between you making a quick recovery or needing longer-term dental support for your condition if it was to worsen.
Dealing with an experienced private dental practice is also the best practice as calling 111 does not let you speak with a dental expert. When you call us, you are greeted with highly trained operators who can provide advice for supporting your emergency from the moment your call connects. Once your appointment has been confirmed, we will provide you with a full assessment of your condition and provide you with all the available treatment options.
Do you need emergency dental support?
If you are in an hour of need and dealing with a scary dental situation, we are on hand to help. Restoring your confidence in dental practitioners and yourself, we will always provide you with a compassionate and affordable service. Our mission has been to reinvent the traditional dental practice to provide a service which is reflective of modern-day needs. We are proud to say that our reactive service has achieved this.
You have probably found from your own research that there are lots of definitions around for what is deemed as an emergency. Whilst we have of course outlined the ones in this article that are most detrimental to your overall health, we class anything that leaves you in pain as a reason to get treated.
Call Didsbury Dental Practice on 0161 445 0005 at any time of the day for swift support.
Your patient and dental comfort are of paramount importance to our friendly team. Next time you need an emergency dentist appointment, just give us a call.
