Urgent dental care is available in Derby and Derbyshire when you need it

Image by oswaldoruiz from Pixabay

Residents across Derby and Derbyshire are being reminded that urgent NHS dental treatment is available for people who need it, even if they are not registered with an NHS dentist.

Latest data shows that 20,231 urgent courses of treatment were delivered by dental practices in the area between 1 April and 31 July 2026. This is more than the level set by NHS England and is helping thousands of local people access care quickly when they need it most.

People should contact NHS 111 online or by phone if they need urgent dental treatment.

Urgent appointments are available for a range of conditions, including severe toothache, swelling, infections, knocked-out teeth, broken restorations and complications following tooth extractions.

There is no need to be registered with an NHS dentist to access urgent dental treatment.

Maria Principe, Executive Director of Commissioning at NHS Derby and Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Boards, said: “We know how important it is that people can get urgent dental care when they need it. Our figures show that a good number of people in our area are already getting urgent dental care but many others won’t know how to get an urgent appointment.

“If you have an urgent dental problem, don’t suffer in silence. Contact NHS 111 online or by phone and they will help ensure you are directed to the most appropriate service.”

Alongside this work, NHS organisations across the East Midlands are also reviewing wider dental access to understand where there are gaps and identify opportunities to improve services for local people.

When should I seek urgent dental treatment?
Urgent dental treatment may be appropriate if you:

• have a knocked-out tooth or other injury to your teeth
• have severe tooth or mouth pain affecting your sleep or daily activities
• have swelling, a lump, or a patch in your mouth that is getting bigger or not going away
• have recently had a tooth removed and are experiencing severe pain or bleeding
• have a broken or loose filling, denture, crown, bridge or veneer.

For urgent dental help, visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111.