Where Can You Go for a Dental Emergency at the Weekend?
Where Can You Go for a Dental Emergency at the Weekend?
Toothache has a habit of arriving on a Friday night. A filling drops out over Saturday breakfast, a child takes a knock at Sunday football, or a dull ache turns into something that keeps you awake. If you are wondering where to go for a dental emergency at the weekend, the short answer is that help is available on both days. Which door you knock on depends on the time and on how serious the problem is.
At Oris Dental & Implant Studio in Monifieth, we see patients from across Dundee and Angus who thought they would have to grit their teeth until Monday. This guide explains who to call, what you can do at home in the meantime, and when a dental problem needs a hospital instead of a dentist.
Are dentists open on Saturdays?
Some are, and we are one of them. Many dental practices in the UK only open Monday to Friday, which is why so many people assume nothing can be done once the weekend starts. Oris Dental & Implant Studio is open on Saturday mornings from 9am to 1pm, so a problem that starts on Friday evening does not have to wait three nights for attention.
Saturday appointments fill quickly. If you wake up in pain, phone us as soon as the lines open at 9am on 01382 530916 and tell the team it is an emergency. You do not need to be an existing patient to be seen.
What counts as a weekend dental emergency?
Not every dental problem needs to be seen within hours, but some should never be left. Treat it as a weekend dental emergency and phone for advice the same day if you have:
- Severe toothache that painkillers are not controlling
- Swelling in your gum, cheek or jaw
- A knocked-out or badly loosened adult tooth
- Bleeding from the mouth that will not stop
- Signs of an abscess, such as a throbbing pain, a bad taste or a raised temperature
Other problems are urgent without being emergencies. A lost filling, a crown that has come off, a small chip or a broken denture are uncomfortable and inconvenient, but they can usually wait a day or two if you are not in serious pain. They are still worth a phone call, because a quick conversation will tell you whether you need to come in.
Where to go, hour by hour
Saturday morning
Call a practice that is open. If you are looking for an emergency dentist Dundee patients can reach on a Saturday, our Monifieth practice is a short drive from the city centre, Broughty Ferry and Carnoustie. We keep time aside for emergency appointments and will give you a clear explanation of what is wrong before any treatment starts.
Saturday afternoon and Sunday
Once practices have closed, phone NHS 24 on 111. In Scotland the out-of-hours period for dental emergencies runs from Friday evening through to Monday morning, and 111 is the route into the emergency dental service during that time. A trained adviser will assess your symptoms and either give you self-care advice or arrange for you to be seen. NHS inform has more detail on how the service works.
There is no walk-in dental service at the weekend, so always phone first.
When to go straight to A&E
A small number of dental problems are medical emergencies. Go to A&E or call 999 if you have:
- Swelling that is spreading towards your eye or down your neck
- Difficulty breathing, swallowing or opening your mouth
- Heavy bleeding that has not stopped after 20 minutes of firm pressure
- A serious injury to your face or jaw, or a blow to the head
What to do until you are seen
A few simple steps can ease the pain and protect the tooth while you wait for your appointment.
Toothache. Take paracetamol or ibuprofen as directed on the packet, if they are safe for you. Never place aspirin against the gum, as it can burn the tissue. Rinse gently with warm salt water and sleep with your head raised on an extra pillow.
Lost filling or crown. Keep the area clean and chew on the other side. A temporary filling kit from a pharmacy can cover a sensitive tooth for a day or two. Keep the crown safe and bring it with you.
Swelling. Hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek for ten minutes at a time. Do not apply heat, and do not try to burst an abscess yourself.
Bleeding. Bite firmly on a clean, damp cloth or gauze for 20 minutes without checking it.
Why you should not wait until Monday
Dental pain is your mouth’s way of telling you something is wrong, and it rarely settles for good without treatment. An infection that is quiet on Saturday can be a swollen face by Sunday night. A cracked tooth that could have been repaired simply may need far more involved treatment after two more days of chewing on it.
Painkillers mask the symptom without treating the cause. Getting advice early usually means simpler treatment, a shorter appointment and a better chance of saving the tooth.
What happens at an emergency appointment?
Your dentist will ask about your symptoms, examine the area and take an X-ray if one is needed. The first priority is getting you out of pain, whether that means a temporary dressing, draining an infection or re-cementing a crown. You will then be given a clear plan for any further treatment, so nothing comes as a surprise.
If the thought of the dentist worries you more than the toothache, please tell us when you call. Oris Dental is part of the Pain Free Dentistry Group, and we use numbing gel, warmed anaesthetic and a slow, gentle technique to keep treatment comfortable. Our team is used to looking after nervous patients, and there is no judgement here, however long it has been since your last visit.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see an emergency dentist on a Sunday?
Most practices, including ours, are closed on Sundays. Phone NHS 24 on 111 and you will be assessed and directed to the out-of-hours emergency dental service if you need to be seen.
Do I need to be registered with Oris Dental to book an emergency appointment?
No. We welcome new patients for emergency appointments as well as those who already attend the practice.
Should I go to A&E with toothache?
No, unless you also have spreading swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding or a facial injury. A&E departments do not carry out dental treatment, so a dentist or NHS 24 is the right first call for toothache.
Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
A small chip with no pain can usually wait for a normal appointment. A large break, a sharp edge cutting your tongue or a tooth that hurts should be looked at sooner.
Weekend toothache? Call us first
If you are in pain, please do not sit it out. Call Oris Dental & Implant Studio on 01382 530916 and we will do our best to see you quickly. We are at 27C High Street, Monifieth, DD5 4AA, and open on Saturday mornings from 9am to 1pm.




