NHS 111 or a private emergency dentist?
If you’re in pain right now, you want straight answers. Here’s what the NHS offers in a dental emergency, what private same-day care looks like, and how to decide.
The NHS route: NHS 111
- Call 111 or use 111 online, 24 hours a day. They triage your symptoms and, if you need urgent dental care, book you into an NHS urgent dental service when a slot is available.
- What’s covered: the urgent visit is about pain relief and making you safe. That can mean draining an infection, a temporary filling, or taking a tooth out. Longer treatments like root canals and crowns are usually arranged separately.
- Cost: the NHS urgent treatment band charge applies, unless you’re exempt.
- Waiting: it depends on demand. You may be offered a slot the same day, the next day, or somewhere across the city.
A&E
A&E doesn’t do dental treatment, but go there, or call 999, if swelling affects your breathing, swallowing or vision, bleeding won’t stop, or you’ve had a serious injury to the face or head.
The private route: us
- Book a time online, 24/7, from our live diary. Same-day times appear when they’re free. Or call 0121 582 4557: we answer whenever we can, and text you a booking link if we miss you.
- Cost: emergency consultation £54, plus any treatment, priced before we start. See all prices.
- Treatment can go further at the same visit where that’s right for you, for example starting root canal treatment to save the tooth rather than taking it out.
Which should you choose?
- Choose NHS 111 if cost matters most and you can wait for whichever slot is offered, or if you need help in the middle of the night.
- Choose private if you want to pick a time that suits you, see the same team for follow-up, or keep the tooth where possible.
We’ll always be honest. If NHS 111 is the better route for you, we’ll say so.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if swelling is spreading towards your eye, down your neck or under your tongue, you’re finding it hard to breathe or swallow, you have a high temperature with facial swelling, bleeding won’t stop after 20–30 minutes of firm pressure, or you’ve had a serious injury to your face or head.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see an NHS dentist today?
Sometimes, through NHS 111. They assess you by phone or online and offer an urgent NHS appointment if one is available. It may be in another part of the city, or the next day.
Do I have to be registered to use NHS 111 for dental care?
No. NHS 111 is for anyone who needs urgent dental care, registered or not.
How much is a private emergency appointment with you?
The emergency consultation is £54. Treatment is priced and agreed with you before it starts. See our prices.
Is a free emergency dentist available in Birmingham?
NHS urgent dental care isn’t free for most adults. The NHS urgent treatment charge applies unless you’re exempt (for example, if you’re under 18, pregnant or receive certain benefits). Calling NHS 111 is free.
Ask us to call you back
Leave your number and a few words about the problem and we’ll call you back as soon as we can. If you’re in severe pain or have swelling, please call 0121 582 4557 now — or pick an appointment time online.
In pain now?
Call 0121 582 4557 — we answer whenever we can, and if we miss you we text you a booking link. Or pick a time online, any time of day.