What to Do in a Dental Emergency: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dental emergencies can be distressing, whether it’s a sudden toothache, a broken tooth, or trauma to your mouth or jaw. Knowing what to do in these situations can help reduce pain, prevent further damage, and ensure you receive timely care.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency? - You should seek urgent dental advice if you experience:

• Severe or worsening toothache

• Facial swelling or signs of infection

• A broken, cracked, or knocked-out tooth

• Trauma to the mouth or jaw

• Uncontrolled bleeding

If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies as an emergency, it’s always better to call for advice.

Step-by-Step Guide for Dental Emergencies

1. Contact Your Dentist Immediately - If you are a Practice Plan member, you are entitled to complimentary same-day emergency appointments during our opening hours.

• Call us at 8:30am on 01530 510533

• Same-day appointments are subject to contacting the practice at opening time

If you are a private or new patient, call us at 8:30am. We aim to see urgent cases within 24 hours.

• Emergency consultation fee: £25 (covers assessment and diagnosis)

• Any further treatment, such as fillings, extractions, or root canals, will be explained in advance and charged separately

  
  

2. If You Are Away from the Area as a Practice Plan Member - If you are more than 25 miles away or travelling:

• You may see any emergency dentist

• Pay for treatment upfront and obtain an itemised receipt

• Submit your request for assistance through the Global Dental Scheme:

  • Within 30 days for treatment in the UK

  • Within 90 days if treated abroad

  • Maximum annual benefit: £200 per patient

• Request for Assistance Forms: Global Dental Scheme

  
  

3. Weekends and Bank Holidays - Hermitage Dental Practice is closed during weekends and bank holidays. Options include:

• Attend an emergency dentist elsewhere

• Search online for “emergency dentist” (several are available in Leicester and Loughborough)

• Patients pay the first £15.00 excess and upfront treatment costs

• Obtain an itemised receipt for reimbursement

  
  

4. NHS Dental Emergencies for Children - If your child is registered with us as an NHS patient:

• Call 01530 510533 at 8:30am

• We will endeavour to see them within 24 hours

• For out-of-hours NHS emergencies, call 111

  
  

5. While Waiting for Your Appointment

• Rinse your mouth gently with warm saltwater to reduce discomfort

• Avoid very hot, cold, or hard foods if a tooth is broken or sensitive

• Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling for trauma to the jaw or face

• Take over the counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol following the instructions on the packet

6. Leaving a Message If you cannot get through immediately:

• Call 01530 510533

• Leave a message on our answerphone with your details and the nature of your emergency

• A member of our team will contact you as soon as possible

Final Tips

• For knocked-out teeth, keep the tooth in milk or saliva and bring it with you to your appointment

• Try to remain calm and follow guidance from your dentist to prevent further damage

• Act quickly: timely care often reduces the need for more extensive treatment

Dental emergencies can be stressful, but knowing what steps to take ensures you get safe and effective care. For urgent advice or to book an emergency appointment, call Hermitage Dental Practice at 01530 510533 as soon as possible.