NHS Lanarkshire logo

Meet the Experts

Dentist

dentist icon

Experiencing dental pain? You can access dental care in one of the following ways:

If you are registered with a dentist
If you are registered with a dentist, during working hours – contact your own dentist. Out of hours – contact your own dentist and follow the instructions on the answering machine.
If you are not registered with a dentist

To register with a dentist simply telephone or visit a practice in your area and ask if you can register with them. You can locate a dentist near you using the NHS Inform Service Directory. Please note that the dentists listed will include practices that might not be registering NHS Patients at this time. When you have chosen your preferred practice, check with them that you can be accepted as an NHS patient and discuss any further needs you may have including any entitlement to free dental treatment.

For more information about help with the cost of NHS dental treatment please read the Scottish Government guide “Help with Health Costs“.

If you are not registered with a dentist and require help and advice out of normal working hours, call NHS 24 on 111, Monday to Friday, 6.00pm-8.00am and all day on weekends and public holidays.

If you require further help and advice out of normal working hours, Call NHS 24 on  111, Mon-Fri, 6pm-8am and on weekends & public holidays.

Visit www.nhsinform.scot or call 0800 22 44 88 to find your nearest dentist.

What is a dental emergency?

  • Abscesses and swellings in and around the mouth
  • Bleeding
  • Trauma – for example knocking out a tooth

If you are unregistered and require emergency treatment, contact NHS 24 on 111.

What to do if you lose a tooth
Remember if you lose a tooth, it may be possible to save it if you take the following steps and get advice immediately. The complete tooth needs to be replaced in the socket as soon as possible. Avoid handling the root.

If very dirty, rinse with milk or tap water and avoid letting it dry out. Hold the tooth by the crown and put it firmly back into the socket, root first. Bite on a clean handkerchief. If the tooth is not complete, contact your dental surgery as soon as possible.

Contact information

In an Emergency call 999

For out-of-hours urgent medical care call NHS24 on 111

For health information, call NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88

Near Me Lanarkshire