TOOTHACHE could be given more urgent attention thanks to a new out-of-hours emergency service which was launched on Friday (Feb 1).

Patients requiring emergency dental treatment can ring the NHS Direct number on 0845 4647 where appropriate treatment with the dentist and dental nurse team on duty will be arranged.

Patients will have access to dental care until 10pm during the week and weekends.

The system, operated by Bury and Rochdale Health Authority in conjunction with NHS Direct, replaces the old scheme which was based on a Sunday morning sessions at Whitefield Health Centre, and Saturday and Sunday morning sessions at Rochdale Dental Access Centre. Most dentists in the area are taking part in the scheme, although a few practices will make their own arrangements for out-of-hours treatment.

Patients should contact their regular dental practice if they require any information relating to their specific arrangements for out of hours services. Individual practice arrangements, including whether the patient should ring NHS Direct, will be detailed on the practice answerphone message.

Mr Phil Emmott, director of operations and primary care for Bury and Rochdale Health Authority, said: "This scheme has been developed in close collaboration with local dentists, who will staff the service.

"If a dental emergency starts in the early evening or at weekends, all patients who live within the Bury or Rochdale are now able to obtain a professional dental opinion through to 10pm by ringing NHS Direct. The old scheme was based on fixed-time sessions, however, the new scheme is more flexible for patients who develop an emergency dental problem out of normal surgery hours."

Mr John Mooney, chairman of the local dental committee, said: "If you have a dental problem, then the best time to contact your dentist is still Monday to Friday during work hours.

"However, dental problems do happen in the evening and at the weekend. The scheme will therefore benefit patients by making access to a dentist more straightforward, and will benefit dentists by sharing the workload of seeing patients out of hours."