Patient guide
What counts as a dental emergency?
“Emergency” covers a lot of ground in dentistry. This guide describes the problems that usually need prompt attention, and the small number of situations that need emergency medical care rather than a dental appointment.
If this is a medical emergency: If you have severe swelling that is affecting your breathing or swallowing, a major facial injury, or any symptoms you think may be life-threatening, call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately. Do not wait for a dental appointment or for a reply to a message.
What counts as a dental emergency?
Significant or persistent dental pain, swelling around a tooth or in the face, a broken or knocked-out tooth, a lost filling or crown that is causing pain, and bleeding that will not settle are all reasons to contact a dentist promptly. If you are unsure, call the practice and describe what is happening.
- Toothache that is severe, persistent or disturbing your sleep
- Swelling of the gum, face or jaw
- A tooth broken, loosened or knocked out by an injury
- A lost filling, crown or restoration that is painful or sharp
- Bleeding from the mouth that does not settle
When should you seek emergency medical care instead?
Swelling that affects your breathing or swallowing, a major facial injury, or symptoms that feel severe and worsening need emergency medical services — call 999 or attend your nearest emergency department. A dental practice is not the right route for those situations.
What can you do before you are seen?
Contact the practice as early in the day as you can, and keep the area as clean as usual. We do not give medicine doses or self-treatment instructions on this website: what is appropriate depends on you, your health and your medicines, so ask us, your pharmacist or NHS 111 for advice.
What happens at an emergency dental assessment?
The appointment is time set aside to find out what is causing the problem: your dentist examines the area, takes any x-rays needed and explains the findings. Where possible they settle the immediate problem, and they tell you what further treatment is needed and what it costs.
How much does an emergency appointment cost at Cobham Dental?
An emergency dental assessment is £110. If you book online, a £50 deposit secures the appointment and forms part of that fee, leaving £60 to pay at the appointment. Any definitive treatment that follows is quoted separately in writing before it goes ahead.
Can you be seen the same day?
That depends on the appointments available when you contact us, so we cannot promise same-day treatment. Call 01932 866966 during opening hours and we will tell you the soonest we can see you, or check current availability online.
Urgent care at Cobham Dental
Existing patients should call the practice during opening hours for same-day advice where possible. Outside opening hours, members of our maintenance plan are covered by the Global Dental Accident & Emergency Assistance Scheme.
Our emergency page lists current contact routes, opening hours and what the £110 assessment covers.
Treatment provided by
Dr. Nicole Dhillon
Associate Dentist · GDC GDC Number: 284420
Where to go next
Further reading
Published by Cobham Dental on 2026-08-18. Last updated 2026-08-18. General information only — it does not replace an assessment at the practice.