If you have a dental emergency in Mid Wales, call your own dental practice first if you have one. If you are not registered with an NHS dentist, or it is out of hours, call NHS 111 Wales, which can assess you by phone and refer you to an urgent dental service if needed. Go to A&E if facial swelling is making it hard to breathe or swallow, is spreading towards your eye, or is stopping you opening your mouth fully.
Dental problems rarely happen at a convenient time, and in a rural county like Powys the nearest available appointment may not be in your own town. Knowing in advance which number to ring, and what counts as urgent, saves time and worry when something goes wrong.
The right route depends on whether you have a regular dentist, the time of day and how serious the problem is. If you are registered with a private dentist in Newtown, Powys or anywhere else, your practice is usually the first call during opening hours. This guide sets out the NHS Wales routes, the warning signs that need hospital care and what you can do while you wait.
What counts as a dental emergency?
Powys Teaching Health Board's urgent dental care guidance gives examples of problems that need prompt attention, including:
- Severe toothache that painkillers have not eased
- Bleeding after a tooth has been taken out
- Visible swelling of the face or neck
- A knocked-out adult tooth
Other problems, such as a lost filling, a chipped tooth without pain or a loose crown, are usually not emergencies, but they still need to be looked at soon. Ring your practice and explain what has happened so they can decide how quickly you need to be seen.
When should you go to A&E instead?
NHS 111 Wales advises going to your local Accident and Emergency unit if you develop a facial swelling that is:
- Making it difficult to breathe or swallow
- Extending towards your eye
- Stopping you from opening your mouth fully
In a life-threatening emergency, such as severe difficulty breathing or heavy bleeding that will not stop, call 999. A swollen face from a tooth infection can become serious, so do not wait for a routine appointment if any of these signs appear.
Who should you call, and when?
| Your situation | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Registered with a dental practice, during opening hours | Ring your own practice for an emergency appointment |
| Registered, but the practice is closed | Listen to the practice's answerphone message for out-of-hours instructions, or call NHS 111 Wales |
| Not registered with an NHS dentist in Powys | Call NHS 111 Wales, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
| Swelling affecting breathing, swallowing, your eye or mouth opening | Go to A&E |
| Life-threatening symptoms | Call 999 |
Powys Teaching Health Board says that if you have a dental emergency and do not have a dentist, NHS 111 Wales will assess your condition over the phone and, if appropriate, refer you to a local emergency dental service. Depending on your needs, you may get telephone advice rather than an appointment. The health board also notes that you may need to travel to attend an urgent NHS appointment, which is worth planning for if you live in a more remote part of the county.
What does urgent NHS dental care cost in Wales?
NHS dental charges in Wales are set by the Welsh Government and are different from England. GOV.WALES lists an urgent care package at £37.50. Many people do not pay at all, including everyone under 18, people aged 18 in full-time education, those who are pregnant or have had a baby in the past 12 months, and people receiving certain benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit (subject to the rules). Check the GOV.WALES page for the full list before your appointment.
If you go privately, emergency fees vary between practices and often cover the assessment only, with any treatment charged separately. Ask what the fee includes when you ring.
What can you do while you wait?
NHS 111 Wales suggests some simple self-care steps for dental pain and swelling while you wait to be seen:
- Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help control pain. Follow the packet instructions and do not exceed the stated dose.
- Do not give aspirin to children under 16.
- Avoid hot or cold food and drinks if they make the pain worse.
- Choose soft or chilled food and chew on the other side of your mouth.
- Keep brushing, using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
If the pain or swelling gets worse, or you develop a high temperature or feel generally unwell, seek help sooner rather than later.
What should you do about a knocked-out tooth?
A knocked-out adult tooth is one of the few dental problems where minutes matter. NHS Wales advice is to put an adult tooth back into position if you can. If that is not possible, keep it in milk, covering the whole tooth, and contact your dental practice or NHS 111 Wales straight away. Never try to put a baby tooth back in, as NHS 111 Wales warns this could damage the adult tooth growing underneath, but do still get the child checked. If you are not sure whether it is a baby or adult tooth, keep it in milk and take it with you.
Checklist: be ready before anything happens
- Save your dental practice's number in your phone, and know its opening hours
- Remember that NHS 111 Wales is the number to call out of hours or if you have no dentist
- Keep paracetamol and ibuprofen at home, and check they suit you
- Think about how you would travel to an appointment in another town
- Know your exemption status for NHS dental charges in Wales
- If your child plays contact sport, ask your dentist about a mouthguard
A local example
Clifton Dental Practice, a private practice at 67 Clifton Terrace, New Road, Newtown, is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, according to its website. Its published fee guide lists an emergency appointment consultation at £85, excluding treatment, and the practice says it aims to see its plan patients on the same day if they need emergency care. Outside those hours, the NHS 111 Wales routes above still apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is toothache an emergency?
Toothache on its own is usually not a reason to go to A&E. Contact your dental practice or NHS 111 Wales instead. Severe pain that painkillers do not ease, or pain with facial swelling, needs prompt attention.
Can I go to A&E for a dental problem?
Go to A&E if swelling affects your breathing, swallowing, eye or ability to open your mouth, or for serious injuries. For most other dental problems, A&E cannot provide dental treatment, so contact a dentist or NHS 111 Wales.
What if I am not registered with a dentist in Powys?
Call NHS 111 Wales for urgent problems. For routine NHS care, Powys Teaching Health Board runs a Dental Access Portal where eligible residents can apply for an NHS dental place.
Will I be seen in my own town?
Not always. Urgent NHS appointments are offered where capacity is available, and the health board warns you may need to travel.
Sources
- NHS 111 Wales: Dental helplines
- NHS 111 Wales: Swelling (mouth and face)
- Powys Teaching Health Board: Dental services
- GOV.WALES: NHS dental charges and exemptions
- NHS 111 Wales: Tooth, knocked out
General information only, not dental or medical advice. In an emergency call 999. NHS arrangements and charges in Wales were checked in October 2026 and can change.