Local people can access urgent
NHS dental practices across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough continue to offer urgent dental appointments via NHS 111 for those who need it.
As part of a national programme to improve access to urgent dental care appointments, NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough partnered with local dental providers this summer to launch a scheme that aims to deliver around 14,000 urgent dental appointments across the area. Since then, the number of appointments available have increased, thanks to even more practices that deliver NHS services signing up to the scheme.
Since its launch, the scheme has provided urgent dental care to hundreds of people who were previously unable to access local NHS dental care when facing an urgent dental problem.
These urgent appointments are intended for people experiencing serious dental problems, such as severe toothache, broken or knocked-out teeth, uncontrollable gum bleeding and dental abscesses.
To access one of these appointments individuals who think they have an urgent dental care need should contact NHS 111 in the first instance. NHS 111 will triage their need and if appropriate direct them to one of the dental practices who are delivering these additional appointments.
Alternatively, people who already receive NHS dental care from a local dental practice and are a regular attender, should contact that NHS Dental practice in first instance if they think they may need urgent treatment. If the practice doesn’t have appointments available, they can contact NHS111 via 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111.
Dawn Jones, Associate Director Primary Care Contracts & Enabling at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, said: “We understand how important accessing NHS dental care is for local people. This scheme is helping to improve access across our area, and we encourage anyone who needs urgent dental care not to wait and to seek help as soon as possible.”
As with other NHS dental care, standard charges of £27.40 per appointment apply, unless you are eligible for free NHS dental treatment or help with the cost of treatment.
You can find your nearest NHS dental practice by visiting Dental services - NHS.