Emergency Dentist in London
Need an emergency dentist in London today? Phone your own practice first — many keep same-day slots for urgent pain. If you are not registered, or it is evening or the weekend, call NHS 111: they book urgent NHS dental appointments and will usually see you within 24 hours to 7 days depending on your symptoms. For life-threatening swelling or uncontrolled bleeding, go straight to A&E.
Dental pain rarely arrives at a convenient time, and across the City, Westminster, Camden, Southwark, Greenwich and the outer boroughs demand for urgent appointments is high — so knowing the fastest NHS route matters more than searching practice by practice.
Where to get urgent NHS dental care in London
London is served by several major NHS dental hospitals — including Guy's, the Royal London and the Eastman Dental Hospital — but for an urgent appointment you should call NHS 111 first, which books commissioned emergency dental slots across the capital.
What counts as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is anything needing prompt professional care to stop pain, control bleeding or save a tooth. Common examples include:
- Severe toothache that painkillers no longer control
- A knocked-out or loosened adult tooth
- A cracked, chipped or broken tooth causing pain
- A lost filling, crown or veneer
- Swelling in the face, jaw or gums
- Bleeding that will not stop after an extraction
- A dental abscess with pain, swelling or a bad taste
How much does emergency dental treatment cost in London?
NHS emergency care in London is charged as a single Band 1 fee (currently £26.80) covering urgent assessment and pain relief; any follow-up is charged at the relevant NHS band. Private emergency appointments usually start from £50 to £150 for the first consultation, with treatment on top.
What to do while you wait
For a knocked-out adult tooth, hold it by the crown (never the root), and if it is clean try to place it back in the socket — otherwise keep it in milk. Take ibuprofen or paracetamol for pain, but avoid aspirin, which can worsen bleeding. Hold a cold compress against the cheek to ease swelling, and contact a dentist or NHS 111 as soon as you can.
Looking for something else in London? You can also find NHS dentists in London, private dentists and dental implants, or browse all dentists in London to compare NHS and private options across the city.