34,000 additional urgent dental appointments made available in Hampshire
The NHS advises patients to use 111 for the newly commissioned emergency dental care
Around 34,000 additional urgent NHS dental appointments have been made available across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for patients needing emergency care this winter.
The appointments are aimed at patients experiencing pain, infections, or requiring urgent repairs to lost fillings or crowns.
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight is advising anyone in need of such care to visit 111 online or call 111 to be directed to an appropriate local dental practice.
The increased availability comes as part of a significant initiative to improve access to NHS dental services in the area, with several local practices commissioned to provide these urgent appointments.
How to access the new urgent dental appointments
Patients looking to find out if they need an urgent appointment are encouraged to use 111 online or contact 111 by phone.
James Roach, Director of Primary Care and Local Care at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, explained: “Across Hampshire and Isle of Wight, we have been set a target to deliver 30,000 additional urgent and emergency appointments for patients who need it, which we have now commissioned.
“We would urge those who believe they need urgent dental care to call 111 or use 111 online to ensure they can access this care.
“For routine NHS dental appointments, access is improving across the area and these additional urgent care appointments will further improve NHS dentistry in Hampshire and Isle of Wight while we continue to look at other ways to increase access.”
Local practices assisting with the scheme
Practices across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are supporting the programme to enhance urgent dental care access.
Anushika Brogan, CEO and Founder of Damira Dental Studios, said: “We’re pleased to be supporting this drive to raise awareness of the urgent dental care appointments now available across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
“111 online is the best place to start to check if you need an urgent appointment. They can then direct you to the right place for your needs, which may be a local practice offering these additional urgent appointments.”
Residents experiencing oral pain or other dental emergencies are advised not to wait and to seek help promptly.