FAQs

Conditions include:

To be seen and treated as an emergency will cost £16.50. If the dentist requires you to have follow up treatment they will advise you of any other further costs you may incur. You may be exempt from dental charges if you currently claim government benefits. Please note however, not all benefits may exempt you from NHS charges, please contact the helpline who will discuss this with you further.

If you need to speak to somebody after 6pm, at a weekend or bank holiday please contact NHSD 161 230 6029. You could also speak to your local pharmacy for advice and pain management.

If you are housebound and require routine dental care you should contact the helpline during office hours 0161 476 9649 for assistance. Patients requiring urgent dental care should contact the Community Dental Team on 0161 426 5680.

If you are a temporary resident visiting the areas of SK1-SK8 and require urgent treatment we recognize it would not be possible to access your dentist therefore you can contact us on the helpline number and we will arrange an emergency appointment for you.

If you already have a NHS dentist it is best you contact your surgery first to see if they can provide you an appointment. If your surgery is closed and you have an emergency dental problem that will not wait until your surgery reopens please contact the helpline or NHSD. Please make sure you listen completely to the answer phone recording at your surgery-this will provide you with the correct contact number you require.

If you live in SK1-SK8 please contact the helpline and request your details be added to the waiting list. The operator will need to know your full name, address, date of birth, current contact numbers NHS number and your GP details.

When a local dentist has capacity to accept new patients the helpline will contact you (Usually by telephone) to inform you of the details and what you should do next to accept a place at the surgery.

Waiting times can vary depending on locality, demand and availability. On average you may wait 3-6 months for allocation to an NHS surgery, however your waiting time may be much sooner-please ask the operator when you call the service.

Please refer to your local telephone directory to contact a local dental technician to see if your dentures can be fixed.

If you are currently allocated to a dentist but are unhappy and wish to make a complaint please contact PALS 0161 426 5888. If you have a complaint regarding the dental helpline please contact the dental manager Lynda Thorneycroft 0161 476 9649, alternately you can contact Lynda in writing at