Dentists

Dentists provide treatment to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and free of pain.

A dentist can provide information and treatment to look after your teeth and gums. Regular check-ups help to see if you have any dental problems. Your dentist can carry out treatment such as fillings or root canal treatment, if you need it.

Some dentists provide a mixture of NHS and private care. If you are unsure what services your dentist provides, check with your dentist. All dentists have information on the NHS services they have agreed to provide.

Visit the NHS website for more information about dental costs, including eligibility for free treatment.

Your dentist can:

  • provide regular check ups on your teeth and gums (adults should have a check up at least every two years, under 18’s should have a check up at least once a year)
  • teach you how to look after your teeth and gums to prevent problems
  • restore teeth damaged or lost due to decay, in an accident or other reasons

Registering with a dentist

Dental surgeries will not always have the capacity to take on new NHS patients. You may have to join a waiting list, look for a different dentist who is taking on new NHS patients, or be seen privately.

Find an NHS dentist near you

If you need urgent dental care

Urgent dental appointments are available to support you if you are suffering with pain caused by dental issues, including infections or needing an urgent repair to a bridge.

You can request an appointment for urgent dental care in the following ways:

Find out more about urgent, emergency and out of hours dental care and what can be treated on the NHS website.

Local dental practices providing additional urgent care appointments

Feedback and complaints

If you’re not satisfied with the urgent dental treatment you have received, or if you have a question, feedback or complaint about dental services, contact NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB.

Our strategy to improve dental care

As in other parts of the country, access to NHS dentists in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire has been very challenging, with demand for care outweighing available appointments.

Our Oral Health and Dental Strategy 2024 to 2027 has three aims to improve oral health for everyone in our area:

  • Promoting good oral health across our entire local population.
  • Reducing health inequalities by increasing access to NHS dental provision.
  • Developing the workforce, retaining staff and attracting more applicants.
Read our Oral Health and Dental Strategy 2024 to 2027

Supervised toothbrushing scheme

Some primary schools and early years settings in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire are taking part in the Big Brush Club, a supervised toothbrushing scheme designed to improve oral health among young children.

Funded by the NHS and delivered by At Home Dental, the Big Brush Club promotes oral health in educational settings and provides teaching staff with training and resources to run supervised toothbrushing sessions in the classroom.

The scheme was introduced to tackle high levels of tooth decay among children, a leading cause of hospital admissions. Through supervised tooth brushing and promoting routines at home, the Big Brush Club aims to prevent dental problems, reduce missed school days, and improve overall wellbeing.

Find out more about the Big Brush Club