Not sure what counts as a dental emergency or where to get help, especially during the holidays? You’re not alone. Dental emergencies often strike at the worst times, like Christmas or New Year’s, when many clinics are closed or overwhelmed. That’s why it’s essential to be prepared. Know which providers offer emergency care (local dentists, hospitals with dental departments, emergency dental clinics), what symptoms require urgent attention, and how much it might cost.
Christmas and the Festive season is upon us. Unfortunately, the opportunities for a dental emergency are more possible now than at other time.
What Is A Dental Emergency?
According to the Dental Council of New Zealand, a dental emergency includes:
- Broken, extruded, or intruded teeth, and other injury.
- Acute infection, an abscess threatening the patient’s general health.
- Uncontrolled bleeding following an extraction on the same day, or the day before.
- Acute pain.
An emergency is defined as an unexpected, ‘rare emergency situation where the immediate safety or comfort of the patient is at risk, and they aren’t within reach of their local dentist.’ In other words, if it can wait until after the holidays, it should. Having your teeth whitened for a special event is not an emergency. An abscess is an emergency.
Where To Get Emergency Help
You can access emergency dental care from emergency dental clinics, hospitals with dental departments, and your local Team Dental clinic. If Team Dental are closed, here is a great link to help you find Emergency Dental Care.
Be aware of when your local dentist surgery is open over the holidays.
Some dentist surgeries close completely over the holidays.
All Team Dental clinics are closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day but depending on your location you may find a local Team Dental which is open other days.
How much Does Emergency Dental Care Cost?
- If you are already in hospital, emergency dental care is free for New Zealand citizens.
- If you aren’t in hospital, and emergency treatment is done by a dentist with a Health New Zealand contract, there will be fees.
- Team Dental offer different options for Paying for your Dental Care.
- If finances are tight, investigate how a Community Services Card, Recoverable Assistance Payment, Advanced Payment of Benefit, or the Accident Compensation Corporation can assist. Do this in advance of the holidays so you are both aware and prepared
Keep The Contact Details Handy
Make sure you have the contact details and locations of the closest dental clinics, hospitals, and the emergency numbers of your regular Team Dental Dentist on hand before the holidays start. The more prepared you are, the less you’ll panic if you need the information in a hurry.
Going Away For The Holidays?
If you are going away, make sure you have the same information for the area to which you are going. Ask your dentist, family, or friends for recommendations for dentists in the area and for his or her emergency number.
Know What’s Expected
It will also be helpful is to make sure you know the financial requirements or insurance coverage that relates to the different dental options we’ve mentioned. Discover it before you need it. You want to be as prepared as possible to limit the emotional and financial impact of an emergency.
Most Importantly
Keep this information in your mobile AND written down, AND with you, or easily accessible, at all times.
If you have any questions on the best options for emergency dental work during the holidays, contact us on 0508 TEAM DENTAL and make an appointment today to discuss this in more detail.
Team Dental Holiday Hours
All Team Dental centres will be closed on Christmas Day and on New Years Day.
For other days, call your local Team Dental on 0508 TEAM DENTAL (0508 83 263 368)
FAQs:
Q1: What counts as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is an unexpected situation where your immediate safety or comfort is at risk and you cannot reach your local dentist. Examples include broken, extruded, or intruded teeth, acute infections or abscesses that threaten your general health, uncontrolled bleeding after a recent extraction, and severe acute pain. Non-urgent issues, such as teeth whitening for a special event, do not count as emergencies.
Q2: Where can I get emergency dental care during the holidays?
Emergency dental care is available at emergency dental clinics, most hospitals and Team Dental if we are open. Some dentists stay open during the holidays, while others may close completely. Make sure you know your dentist’s emergency contact number and keep the details of nearby clinics and hospitals handy before the holidays.