How to find a dentistFind a dentist in Scotland

Use our search tool to find an NHS dentist

Find an NHS dentist near you with our search tool

You can find dentists in your area using our NHS dentist search tool.

All you need to do is enter your area and it will give you local contact details to find an NHS dentist.

Search for an NHS dentist near you

If you still can't find a dentist

If you've tried the numbers you found with our search tool and still can't find an NHS dentist, we'd like to hear about the problems you faced.

Our feedback form should only take a minute to fill in and by doing so you'll be helping us to understand where it is still difficult to find an NHS dentist, and which Health Boards aren't giving the help they should.

We'd also be like to hear about those which are doing a good job – so please do feedback your good experiences too.

Tell us how helpful you found NHS services when trying to find a dentist

Other ways to find an NHS dentist

In Scotland you must register with a dentist in order to receive the full range of NHS treatment. Regional Health Boards are responsible for the provision of NHS dental services.

There are several ways to find an NHS dentist:

You can find an NHS dentist in your area on the NHS24 website.
Call the NHS Helpline on 0800 22 44 88
Ask your Local Health Board - you can find a list of Health Board contact details on The Scottish Government website.

Find a private dentist

To find a private dentist near you, you can search a database of dentists the British Dental Association website. You may also find it useful to speak to friends and family to see if they can recommend one.

Remember, an NHS dentist cannot tell you they'll only take your children on as NHS patients if they take you on as a private patient.

How to find a dentist in an emergency

You might need urgent care if you have a problem such as swelling from a gum infection, or severe toothache which you cannot control through with over the counter remedies. Depending on how serious they are, some emergency conditions might need faster treatment – for example if one of your teeth has been knocked out or if bleeding will not stop after a tooth has been extracted.

If you're already registered with an NHS dentist

First contact your dentist. If you need help from your regular dentist outside office hours, emergency advice should be available on their answer machine.

NHS Boards may have arrangements in place to cover treatment in working hours for people who are not registered with an NHS dentist and need emergency treatment, for example to relieve pain or treat bleeding.

If you aren't registered with an NHS dentist

In working hours you should contact your local Health Board's helpline - a list of helpline numbers can be found at Scottish Dental. You'll need to register for follow-up care. Most Boards will also have arrangements for treatment that is needed out-of-hours or on public holidays.

If the dental problem happens out of hours and cannot wait until the next working day you can call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

To find out what you should expect to pay, see our report on dental costs in Scotland.

Emergency private dentists

Like NHS dentists, private dentists have a responsibility to make sure their patients can access urgent or out-of-hours-care. We suggest you ask your private dentist about local arrangements when you first become a patient.