At Belle Vue Dental Practice, we understand that dental problems don't always occur during normal opening hours.

We provide advice and support for urgent dental problems when the practice is closed, helping our patients access appropriate care when they need it.

 

How to contact us out of hours

If you are a patient of Belle Vue Dental Practice and need urgent dental advice outside our normal opening hours, please call the practice telephone number as usual:

01268 759684

Outside our normal opening hours, your call will be directed to voicemail.

Please leave your name, contact number and a brief description of the problem. Messages are checked as soon as possible and we will respond as soon as we are able.

If you are unsure whether your dental problem is urgent, you can still contact us for advice.

 

Problems we can help with out of hours

Out-of-hours support is intended for dental problems that may require urgent assessment or advice. These can include:

• Severe or persistent toothache

• Facial or dental swelling

• Dental trauma, such as a knocked-out or broken tooth

• Bleeding following dental treatment or an extraction that is difficult to control

• Severe pain or other problems following recent dental treatment

• A broken or loose filling, crown, bridge, veneer or denture where it is causing significant pain, injury or other urgent problems

This list is not exhaustive. If you are concerned about a dental problem and are unsure whether it can safely wait until the practice reopens, please contact us for advice.

Where clinically necessary and appropriate, arrangements may be made for emergency dental treatment.

 

Problems that may be able to wait until we reopen

Some dental problems may be suitable for assessment during our normal opening hours, particularly where there is no significant pain, swelling, bleeding, trauma or other urgent concern.

These may include:

• Minor damage to a tooth without pain

• Mild or manageable discomfort

• A lost or damaged filling, crown, bridge or denture that is not causing significant symptoms

• Routine enquiries

• Non-urgent appointment changes

If you are unsure, please contact us rather than trying to determine the urgency yourself. We will help you understand the most appropriate next step.

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What to expect

When you leave an out-of-hours message:

• Your message will be reviewed as soon as possible

• The urgency of your dental problem will be assessed based on the information you provide

• You will be contacted to discuss the most appropriate next step

• Where clinically necessary and appropriate, emergency dental treatment may be arranged

• Advice and any treatment provided will be appropriately recorded in your dental records

Depending on the nature and severity of the problem, we may advise you to seek assistance from another appropriate healthcare service.

 

If you need urgent help before we respond

Our out-of-hours voicemail is not continuously monitored and we cannot guarantee an immediate response.

If you require urgent dental advice and cannot wait for us to respond, you can contact NHS 111 by calling 111 for advice about accessing urgent dental care.

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When to seek immediate medical help

Some symptoms require emergency medical attention rather than routine or urgent dental care.

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you experience:

• Severe swelling of the mouth, lips, throat or neck that is affecting your breathing

• Heavy bleeding from the mouth that will not stop

• A serious injury to your face or jaw

• A head or facial injury accompanied by symptoms such as loss of consciousness, vomiting or double vision

If you are unsure whether you need emergency medical attention, you can contact NHS 111 for advice.

 

Pain relief while waiting for advice

While waiting for dental advice, over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may help with dental pain if the medicine is suitable for you.

Always follow the instructions on the packaging, do not exceed the recommended dose and check that the medicine is suitable for you. If you are unsure, speak to a pharmacist or other appropriate healthcare professional for advice.

A cold compress applied externally may also help with some types of swelling or discomfort.

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Our commitment to you

We want our patients to feel supported if a dental problem occurs outside our normal opening hours.

If you are concerned about an urgent dental problem, please contact us. We will listen to your concerns, assess the information you provide and guide you towards the most appropriate next step.

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