CALLS to Worcestershire’s out-of-hours dental services from Tuesday, April 1 will be handled by the NHS 111 service.

Services will be run from 6pm until 8am Monday to Thursday, from 6pm on Friday until 8am on Mondays and until 8am the following day on Bank Holidays.

Director of commissioning for NHS England in Arden, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Sue Price said: “Using NHS 111 to access out-of-hours dental services will make it much easier for people in Worcestershire to get help when they need it.

“This service is available to all Herefordshire residents and visitors.

“We are committed to working with dentists and practice staff to ensure that patients and the public have access to appropriate out-of-hours dental care when they need it.”

Appointments outside normal dental surgery hours are generally only for urgent cases such as severe dental and facial pain that cannot be controlled by painkillers, infection of the teeth and gums or injury to the teeth as a result of a knock or fall.

During normal working hours people registered with an NHS or private dentist needing urgent treatment should contact their own dental practice.

For more information visit http://www.nhs.uk