URGENT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE, BOROUGH COUNCIL IS ADVISING

ATHERSTONE residents suffering agony with their teeth are being urged not to turn their back on treatment.

Urgent help is still available even though non-emergency operations, dental care and routine appointments for hygienist or orthodontic check-ups have stopped.

As with many facets of everyday life, the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way in which dental services are accessed.

NHS practices throughout the UK are now expected to make arrangements for patients with urgent dental needs to be triaged and assessed over the phone by a dentist during normal business hours.

The coronavirus lockdown – which was extended last week until May 7 – has seen a knock-on effect on medical services too.

If you think your tooth needs to be extracted, you can use dental walk-in services where they will be able to remove your tooth for you – but that 'hub' service is mainly available in large towns and cities.

North Warwickshire Borough Council advises your first port of call in an emergency is your own dental practice for further advice.

Those options in Atherstone include the Atherstone Dental Practice and Atherstone Dental Surgery – both in Long Street.

If you don't have a regular dentist click here.

For emergencies, Atherstone Dental Practice is on 01827 718946 and Atherstone Dental Surgery on 01827 714166. There is an out-of-hours emergency call-answering service on 07771 788722.

The Oral Health Foundation is advising that non-necessary dental treatment is not a reason for you to leave the home during coronavirus restrictions.

For broken or damaged fillings and loose crown or bridges, there are temporary dental kits available from local pharmacies and Amazon.