English

Home » Health (NHS) » Find an NHS dentist

Find an NHS dentist

NHS dental care is available but not free for most adults. In England you do not register with a dentist the way you do with a GP: you contact a practice and ask for an NHS appointment.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland

Go to the official website: nhs.uk

Official links

Show links for:

Step by step

  1. Search for dental practices near you that are taking NHS patients.
  2. Contact the practice and ask specifically for an NHS appointment, as many practices also offer private care.
  3. Join the waiting list if there is one. You may fill in a form at your first visit.
  4. If you cannot find an NHS dentist in England, contact your local integrated care board (ICB). For urgent dental pain, use NHS 111.

What you need

  • Proof that you qualify for free treatment, if you claim it: for example a maternity exemption certificate, an HC2 certificate or your benefit award letter.
  • Your contact details and any medical history the practice asks for.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming that filling in a form at one practice guarantees NHS care there in the future. It does not.
  • Claiming free treatment without being entitled to it. You can get a penalty charge.

More in Health (NHS)