Dental emergency in Singapore: A&E, NDCS or a dentist?
Where to go: a quick guide
| Situation | Where to go | How soon |
|---|---|---|
| Swelling spreading to the eye, neck or under the jaw; difficulty breathing, swallowing or opening the mouth; fever with dental pain | Hospital emergency department. Call 995 if breathing is affected | Now |
| Blow to the face with a possible broken jaw, head injury, or deep cuts to the lips, tongue or gums | Hospital emergency department | Now |
| Bleeding that does not stop after 15 to 20 minutes of firm pressure on a gauze or clean cloth | Hospital emergency department, or the dentist who did the extraction if during clinic hours | Now |
| Adult tooth knocked out | A dentist straight away; hospital emergency department if no dentist is available | Within the hour. See knocked-out tooth |
| Severe toothache, swollen gum without fever, pain on biting | Dental clinic | Same or next day |
| Chipped or cracked tooth, lost filling or crown, broken denture | Dental clinic | Within a few days, sooner if painful |
Can I go to A&E for a dental problem?
Yes, for the emergencies above. A hospital emergency department assesses spreading infection, bleeding and facial injury, and can give pain relief, antibiotics and, where needed, admit you. It does not usually provide the dental treatment that fixes the tooth itself, such as a filling, root canal treatment or extraction. You will normally be asked to see a dentist afterwards. For a toothache without swelling or fever, a dental clinic is usually faster and more useful.
Can I walk in to the National Dental Centre?
The National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) runs an Urgent Care Clinic during its clinic hours for toothache, dental injuries and infections. Outside those hours, on weekends and public holidays, NDCS directs adult dental emergencies to the Singapore General Hospital emergency department, and children’s dental emergencies to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital Children’s Emergency. Check the NDCS website for current hours before you go.
Dentists on Sundays and public holidays
Some private dental clinics open on Sundays or late at night; check a clinic’s hours directly before travelling. Toothsmith is closed on Sundays and public holidays. If you are in pain over a weekend without swelling or fever, the steps in toothache at night will usually keep you comfortable until a clinic opens. If any warning sign above appears, go to a hospital emergency department.
While you wait to be seen
- For bleeding after an extraction, bite firmly on a folded gauze or clean cloth for 20 minutes without checking.
- For swelling, use a cold pack wrapped in a cloth on the outside of the cheek. Never apply heat.
- Keep any broken piece of tooth, filling or crown and bring it with you.
- Do not take leftover antibiotics or someone else’s medicine.
Paying for urgent dental care
At a CHAS dental clinic, a consultation for pain, X-rays, fillings and extractions are CHAS-claimable for CHAS Blue, CHAS Orange, Merdeka Generation and Pioneer Generation cardholders, within the yearly limits (CHAS subsidies). For a dental injury, a personal accident policy may cover treatment; ask for a memo describing the injury (insurance).
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a dental emergency?
Facial swelling that is spreading, difficulty breathing or swallowing, fever with dental pain, bleeding that will not stop, a knocked-out adult tooth, and injuries to the jaw or face. Severe toothache, a broken tooth or a swollen gum without fever are urgent but can usually be seen at a dental clinic the same or next day.
Is there a 24-hour dental service in Singapore?
Hospital emergency departments are open 24 hours and handle dental emergencies such as spreading infection, bleeding and facial injury. Some private dental clinics offer late or weekend hours; check with the clinic before going. NDCS directs after-hours adult dental emergencies to the Singapore General Hospital emergency department.
Can I go to a polyclinic for a toothache?
Some polyclinics have dental clinics, which generally work by appointment. Check the polyclinic’s own arrangements for urgent dental care. If you have swelling with fever or difficulty swallowing or breathing, go to a hospital emergency department instead.
Will the emergency department pull my tooth?
Usually not. Emergency departments stabilise the problem with pain relief, antibiotics or draining a swelling where needed, and refer you to a dentist for the tooth itself.
Can Toothsmith see me today?
Call or WhatsApp us as early in the day as you can. We set aside time for patients in pain and will see you as early as we can, the same day where possible. We are closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Sources
- National Dental Centre Singapore, Emergency dental services
Questions about your teeth?
Book a check-up. You will hear what we find, the options and the fee before anything is done.