NHS Dentists in North Yorkshire: How to Find One and What to Pay

How do I find an NHS dentist?

We are not able to give you a reliable list of which practices in Harrogate, Scarborough, Skipton, Ripon, Whitby, Northallerton, Selby or Malton are currently taking on NHS patients, because that changes constantly and the NHS itself directs you to check. The NHS's how to find an NHS dentist page says you can contact any NHS dentist and ask for an appointment if you have symptoms or need a routine check-up. Some practices offer both NHS and private appointments, so ask specifically for an NHS appointment. You may be asked to join a waiting list. At a first visit you may be asked to fill in a registration form, but the NHS notes that this does not mean you will always be able to get NHS dental care at that practice in future.

The NHS provides an "Find an NHS dentist near you" search on that page. Use it with your postcode, then phone the practices it lists.

What if I cannot get an NHS appointment?

The same page says that if you cannot find a dentist offering NHS appointments, you can contact your local integrated care board (ICB), which manages dental services in your area and may be able to tell you where to get an appointment. The NHS has a page to find your ICB. People with additional or special care needs should be able to get NHS dental care from a general dental practice, and may be referred to Special Care Dentistry if specialised treatment is needed.

Urgent and emergency dental care

The NHS emergency dentist page says that for emergency or urgent dental care you can get advice from NHS 111 or contact a dentist and ask for an urgent or emergency appointment. Reasons it lists include a knocked-out tooth or other injury to the teeth, severe tooth or mouth pain that affects sleep or daily activities and is not helped by painkillers, swelling, a lump or red or white patch in the mouth that is getting bigger, a mouth ulcer lasting two weeks or more, bleeding or severe pain after a tooth has been removed, and a broken or loose filling, denture, crown, bridge or veneer. You can call 111 or use 111 online.

The page says you should be offered urgent dental treatment within 24 hours or seven days depending on your symptoms, and that if you have knocked out an adult tooth you should be offered emergency care within one hour, or as soon as possible.

Go to A&E or call 999 for serious injuries to the face or jaw, heavy bleeding from the mouth that will not stop, severe swelling of the mouth, lips, throat or neck with difficulty breathing or opening an eye, or a head or face injury that has caused loss of consciousness, vomiting or double vision. See our urgent care guide for the A&E departments and walk-in units.

What does NHS dental treatment cost?

Most adults pay for NHS dental care. The NHS dental charges page groups treatment into three bands. As published, Band 1 is £27.90 (covering an examination, assessment and advice, X-rays if needed, and scaling if clinically necessary), and Band 2 is £76.60 (which includes the Band 1 items plus, among other things, fillings). The page also sets out a third band; check it for what that covers and its current price. If you need a mix of treatments, you pay the cost of the highest band, once. The dental professional should tell you the cost before starting treatment, and some people qualify for free NHS dental treatment or help with costs; the NHS has a page on who can get free dental treatment.

Charges are reviewed by the NHS, so check the page for the current figures.