We’re pleased to share that thousands of residents in mid and south Essex are now benefitting from faster access to urgent dental care through our successful out-of-hours appointment initiative.
Since launching in September 2023, the NHS Mid and South Essex dental access initiative has:
- Delivered over 23,500 urgent dental appointments
- Provided care during evenings, weekends, and bank holidays
- Ensured treatment for those without a regular dentist
Due to this success, we’re extending the initiative until March 2027!
“Fast access to dental care means less pain for patients and less pressure on other services. This initiative is making a real difference to get people the care they need by making access easier and it’s part of our commitment to create an NHS that works for everyone.”
— Tom Abell, Chief Executive Officer, NHS Mid and South Essex
How to access urgent dental care
There are two simple ways to book an urgent out-of-hours dental appointment:
- Contact your regular dental practice
- Call NHS 111 for assessment and booking
What’s next?
Over the next two years, we’ll continue to increase appointment availability with more extended hours to improve access to NHS dental care.
We’re also pioneering a new technology solution that enables NHS 111 to book appointments directly into dental practice systems, removing barriers for patients seeking treatment.
SWF Health & Social Care Group 