Emergency Dental Care
Out-of-hours and emergency dental services in Northern Ireland
Severe Emergency? Call 999
If you have airway compromise, uncontrolled bleeding, severe facial swelling, or signs of infection spreading, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E immediately.
When to Use Emergency Dental Services
Out-of-hours emergency services are for patients with:
- Severe, uncontrolled dental pain
- Dental swelling or infection
- Trauma (broken/knocked-out tooth)
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Difficulty eating, drinking, or swallowing due to dental issue
If you have a pressing dental problem DURING WORKING HOURS: Contact your NHS dentist first. If they can't help, ask about emergency appointments or ring a local DAS practice.
Main Emergency Dental Services
HSC Emergency Dental Clinics (EDCs)
Phone: 028 2566 3510
When: Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays only — 8am to 12 noon
Coverage: Belfast, Northern, Southern and South Eastern Trust areas
How it works: Phone first — calls are directed to a dentist for triage. If clinically necessary, you will be given advice or an appointment at an EDC. Do not attend any site without an arranged appointment.
Conditions treated:
- Dental swelling (spreading infection)
- Trauma to teeth from an external force
- Uncontrolled bleeding following extraction
- Severe dental pain not controlled by over-the-counter medications
Who can use: All patients (registered and unregistered)
Cost: Normal General Dental Service charges apply
Note: Due to high demand, you may have to travel outside your area for a treatment slot.
Source: BSO
Western Trust — Local Practice Rota
The Western Trust area (Derry/Londonderry, Omagh, Enniskillen, Strabane) is not covered by the regional EDC number above.
Instead, a local rota operates in each town at weekends and public holidays. Phone your local dental practice for information about out-of-hours arrangements in your area.
For life-threatening emergencies (airway swelling, uncontrolled bleeding), attend the Emergency Department at Altnagelvin Hospital or South West Acute Hospital.
Armagh Community Hospital — Urgent Dental Care (Southern Trust)
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 9am–5pm
Location: Armagh Community Hospital, Tower Hill, Armagh, BT61 9DR
How to access: Contact the on-call dentist for your practice, who will triage you and refer to the urgent dental service if you meet the criteria. This is a referral-only service — you cannot self-refer.
Source: Southern Trust
Emergency Services by Health Trust
| Trust Area | Emergency Dental Clinic | Hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast HSCT | Regional EDC | Sat/Sun/BH 8am–12pm | 028 2566 3510 |
| Northern HSCT | Regional EDC | Sat/Sun/BH 8am–12pm | 028 2566 3510 |
| South Eastern HSCT | Regional EDC | Sat/Sun/BH 8am–12pm | 028 2566 3510 |
| Southern HSCT | Regional EDC + Armagh Community Hospital | EDC: Sat/Sun/BH 8am–12pm | Armagh: Sat/Sun 9am–5pm | 028 2566 3510 |
| Western HSCT | Local practice rota (not covered by regional EDC) | Varies — phone your local practice | Contact your dental practice |
How to Access Emergency Care
Out-of-Hours (Evenings, Weekends, Bank Holidays)
- Call the relevant clinic for your area (see table above)
- Describe your problem — pain, swelling, trauma, etc.
- Provide location/postcode so they can direct you to the nearest clinic
- Follow directions — some clinics are walk-in, others may need appointments
- Bring ID if possible (proof of identity and address)
If No Emergency Service is Available
- Call NHS 111: They can provide advice and direct you to available services
- Go to A&E: If you have severe pain or swelling, your nearest A&E can provide pain relief and initial assessment
- Contact your local HSCT: They can advise on available emergency dental services
Pain Management Before Treatment
While waiting for emergency dental care, you can:
- Take painkillers: Paracetamol or ibuprofen (follow package instructions)
- Apply ice: Hold a cold compress against your cheek (10–15 minutes)
- Avoid hot/cold foods: Stick to lukewarm food and drinks
- Sleep elevated: Keep your head higher than your body to reduce swelling
- Salt water rinse: Rinse with warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt in a cup of water) to soothe gums
When to Call 999
Call 999 immediately if you have:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swelling affecting your airway or neck
- High fever with facial swelling (possible infection)
- Severe facial trauma (fracture suspected)
- Uncontrolled bleeding from mouth/face
- Signs of serious infection (extreme pain, spreading swelling, fever)
After Emergency Treatment
Follow-Up Care
Emergency services provide urgent pain relief and stabilisation, but you'll likely need follow-up treatment:
- Register with an NHS dentist to receive ongoing care
- Use the Dental Access Scheme (DAS) if you're unregistered (during working hours)
- Contact your local HSCT for support if no practices are accepting
Private Emergency Dental Services
Some private dental practices in Northern Ireland offer emergency out-of-hours care. However, costs are significantly higher than NHS services and may not be covered by insurance.
Use private emergency services only if:
- HSC clinics are not available or have long waits
- You're willing to pay private rates (£100–£300+ for emergency consultation)
- You have dental insurance that covers emergency care
DAS vs Emergency Services
If you're unregistered and have a dental problem, here's how to choose:
| If You Have... | Use DAS | Use Emergency Service |
|---|---|---|
| Problem during working hours (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm) | Yes — phone a DAS practice | No — not available |
| Problem out of hours (evenings, weekends, bank holidays) | No — not available | Yes — call emergency clinic |
| Registered with an NHS dentist | No — contact your dentist first | Yes — if urgent after hours |
| Severe pain/swelling/trauma | Yes (if unregistered, during hours) | Yes (anytime) |