Third urgent dental clinic opens in Gloucestershire
A third urgent dental centre has opened in Gloucestershire.
The new clinic, which is located in Quedgeley, will provide urgent assistance for patients in the county alongside existing dental hubs in Cheltenham and Gloucester.
The three Gloucestershire centres are part of an extensive network of hubs that have been set up across England by NHS England in the last two months. The aim is to ensure patients have access to emergency dental care while high street practices are closed to reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection.
The urgent dental centres provide treatment solely for patients who have been referred by their dentist or via NHS 111, and they are not offering drop-in appointments. Examples of cases that may require emergency treatment include dental trauma, excessive bleeding and agonising dental pain linked to infections or a dental injury. Routine services are not currently available.
Patients can access urgent dental services through their regular dentist. Those who are suffering from severe pain and symptoms of infections or injuries are encouraged to contact their dental practice as normal. Dentists are offering online and telephone advice and prescribing medications, and they can also triage patients who may need to see a dentist urgently. If an appointment is required, patients will be referred to a local hub, where they will receive treatment in a safe setting provided by teams using full PPE. Patients may be required to have their temperature checked prior to entry and the care team will provide instructions on arrival. Dentists are keen to stress that emergency services are running and they are encouraging anyone who does need urgent assistance to get in touch.
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