In case of emergency you would normally contact your usual dental practice. For most people this is a local general dental practice but for a small number of patients this will be the Public Dental Service (formerly the Community Dental Service).
During office hours
If you do not have a regular dentist advice can be obtained by telephoning your local Health Board Helpline
| Health Board | Helpline number |
|---|---|
| Ayrshire | 01563 507 950 |
| Arran | 01770 302 320 |
| Borders | 0845 300 0930 |
| Dumfries & Galloway | 08456 026 417 |
| Fife | 01592 226 555 |
| Forth Valley | 01324 614670 |
| Grampian | 0345 456 5990 |
| Greater Glasgow & Clyde | 0141 232 6323 |
| Highland (Argyll & Bute) | 08458 332 310 |
| Highland (All other areas) | 08456 442 271 |
| Lanarkshire | 0300 30 30 243 |
| Lothian | Over 16: 0131 536 4800 Under 16: 0131 536 1129 |
| Orkney | Patients to contact one of two independent dentists: Earls Palace Dental Practice: 01856 872 958 Orkney Dental Clinic: 01856 872 030 |
| Shetland | No help line number, patient advised to contact local dentist |
| Tayside (Arbroath & Angus) | 01241 432 481 |
| Tayside (Dundee Area) | 01382 596 990 |
| Tayside (Perth & Kinross) | 01738 450 550 |
| Western Isles |
01851 707 500 Patients to contact Western Isles Hospital, for information for local dental clinic in Western Isles) |
Outside normal working hours
Most dental practices and clinics will detail emergency advice on their answering service, but for those problems that cannot wait until the next working day assistance is available by dialing