Thousands of emergency dental appointments offered

A total of 100,000 additional urgent NHS dental appointments have been made available for people across the south-east of England, among 700,000 extra being rolled out nationwide.

The appointments will ensure that people experiencing urgent dental problems can access timely care, even if they are not currently registered with a dental practice, according to the health service.

Dentists may offer other urgent treatments depending on clinical need.

Shab Shivji, regional chief dental officer, said the appointments were "specifically for urgent dental conditions".

One patient who has used the service described having excruciating toothache to the point where they could not sleep.

Hannah Winder, from Bognor Regis, West Sussex, said: "I couldn't eat, was struggling to parent. So I contacted NHS 111 who directed me to the emergency dental helpline.

"I was dealt with quickly and had my pain under control really quickly.

"It is really difficult to get into an NHS dentist these days. So I think it's definitely needed. "

Patients are being encouraged to visit NHS 111 online or check the NHS website for guidance on symptoms and eligibility before seeking help.

A total of 20,319 appointments have been allocated to Kent and Medway.

Surrey Heartlands region have been given 6,585 and patients in Sussex have an additional 26,546 appointments.

According to the NHS, conditions covered include severe toothache, dental abscesses, and infection.

Amit Patel, from My Dentist in Bognor Regis, recognises that seeing a dentist can create anxiety and phobias but said: "We're very well trained in dealing with that, especially in acute dental pain-based scenarios.

"There's so many patients out there with pain, swelling, infections and broken teeth and it's so nice they can now access an NHS 111 emergency service and be seen promptly and swiftly."

Shivji added: "Alongside national efforts to expand NHS dental services and support workforce recruitment, retention and training, this extra capacity will help ensure people can get the urgent dental care they need, when they need it."

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