Find routine dental services

We know that many people are finding it hard to get routine NHS dental care right now.

This is a national problem. We are looking for ways to make this better.

You can look for an NHS dentist at nhs.uk. The list will show which practices have appointments available for new patients.

Here are some important things to know about making an appointment for routine dental care:

  • you can ask for an appointment at any NHS dentist
  • you do not have to use the practice closest to you or one you have been to before
  • you do not have to register with a dentist in the same way that you do with a GP  

The NHS provides dental treatment that you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and free of pain.

There is more information about the treatments this includes here.

Adults should ideally have a check-up at least once every two years and children at least once a year.

Some people can get free NHS dental treatment. Some people may only have to pay part of the cost.

There is more information about who can get free treatment or help with costs here.

Over-the-counter medicines should be used to ease toothache until you can make an appointment with a dentist. A pharmacist can give you advice on the best pain relief for your needs.

You should not visit your GP for toothache as they will not be able to give you dental care.

Patients are not registered with a dentist in the same way they are with a GP. 

Dentists are only responsible for patients during a course of treatment. They do not have to see patients for ongoing routine treatment, including check-ups. 

Dentists can only take on new NHS patients for routine care if they have appointments and staff available.

Dental practices manage their own NHS appointments and waiting lists. The ICB has no say in this. We cannot ask them to see you or make appointments for you. 

If your regular dentist is not able to give you an appointment, you can look for other dentists at nhs.uk. 

Dental practices manage their own NHS appointments and waiting lists. The ICB has no say in this. We cannot ask them to see you or make appointments for you.

Our role is to plan and look after dental services for people living in the North East and North Cumbria. That includes:

  • general dental care
  • urgent dental care
  • specialist hospital and community-based services, including community dental services for people with special needs. 

NHS dental services are provided by a network of individual practices. Each practice has a contract to deliver a specific amount of NHS dental care.

Practices can end this contract at any time. If they do that, we will try to find other practices to deliver NHS dental care in the area.