How Can I Find a Dentist for an Emergency Apppointment?

Tooth pain is generally constant, excruciating and unmanageable. The last thing you want to do is spend hours searching for a dentist willing to give you an emergency appointment. With a bit of planning and the utilization of local resources, finding a dentist for an emergency appointment is fairly doable.

Get a Dental Referral From Your Primary Care Physician

• When it comes to emergency appointments, it helps to have a referral from your primary physician. This not only will help you find a reputable dentist to help you in an emergency, but it will also give you a reference name to use when booking your appointment. Be clear about what the emergency is when calling to see the dentist, and be prepared to divulge information about your dental history. After each dental visit, get a copy of your workup and keep it in a folder at home. This will give the emergency dentist a reliable history.

Word of Mouth

• Consider asking friends and family about dentists. People are usually willing to be honest and straightforward about their dentists, so word of mouth is a good way to find a dentist in an emergency. Plan ahead by scheduling consultations with a few dentists to gauge who might be best used in an emergency. By consulting with them ahead of time, you have the opportunity to ask questions, assess their emergency policies and have contact information for emergencies.

Visit the ER

• As a last resort, you can visit your local emergency room; the staff there generally can call whichever dentist or dental professional is on call. Once the ER staff workers take care of your immediate need, or at least get any pain under control, they will tell you to follow up with a dentist.