ST HELENS and Knowsley residents with severe toothache will now be able to get emergency dental treatment seven days a week with the launch of a new user-friendly service.

In the past, people who had not visited a dentist within the last 15 months experienced difficulty obtaining treatment in an emergency.

From Monday, July 27, anyone suffering from severe toothache, swelling, bleeding or an injury to the mouth, can call 0403 643710 outside surgery hours. The phone will be answered from 6pm up until 10pm (it will then revert to an answer phone) and from 9am until 10pm at the weekends and on Bank Holidays. A dentist will then assess the situation and give appropriate advice and, if necessary, treatment.

Emergency treatment will also be provided at the Central Dental Clinic, College Street, St Helens, every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday from 9.30 to 11.30am.

St Helens & Knowsley Health's Dental Health Facilitator Chris Cassidy said: "This new NHS emergency service is open to all residents, regardless of whether they are registered with a dentist or not. More than 70 local dentists have signed up to join the rota, providing an accessible and approachable service, seven days a week.

"We do, however, still stress that in order to prevent dental problems everyone should register with a dentist and attend regularly for check-ups and routine treatment. Then, in the unlikely event of an emergency, they should contact their own dentist in the first instance.

"If anyone needs any advice or help in finding a dentist please contact me at St Helens and Knowsley Health on 01744 457314."

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