Emergency Dentist for Tourists in London
A dental emergency on holiday or a business trip can ruin a trip. Our two central London clinics are within walking distance of major tube stations — South Kensington (Old Brompton Road, near the Natural History Museum and Imperial College) and St Paul’s (City of London, near St Paul’s Cathedral). We offer same-day emergency appointments where availability allows, in English, with a clear written quote before any treatment goes ahead.
Flat £30 emergency assessment fee for everyone. X-rays (£20/image, £10 for members) and onward treatment quoted separately in writing before treatment.
What to Do Right Now
- →Call ahead to find the next available emergency slot — South Kensington 020 7183 2362 or City of London 020 7183 3709.
- →Bring a form of photo ID and details of any travel or dental insurance you may have.
- →Bring a list of any regular medication and any allergies.
- →Allow extra time — emergency assessment plus any same-day treatment can take 45–90 minutes.
- →If you have time-sensitive travel plans (e.g. a flight tomorrow), tell us at booking so we can prioritise comfort and a stable temporary repair where appropriate.
How We Treat Emergency Dentist for Tourists
We can usually provide immediate pain relief, temporary repairs, or definitive treatment where possible in the time available. For complex work that needs multiple appointments, we will stabilise the problem and provide a written report for your dentist at home. Most major credit cards and contactless payment are accepted. Itemised receipts and treatment summaries for travel or dental insurance claims are provided on request.
Cost & what is included
Emergency assessment is a flat £30 for everyone — this includes the clinical examination and pain triage. X-rays (charged at £20 per image, £10 for members) and any onward treatment are quoted separately and confirmed in writing before treatment goes ahead. We will explain options and prognosis honestly; you are free to take time to decide or to seek a second opinion.
Common Causes
Understanding what has caused the problem helps you take the right next step — and helps us choose the right treatment. The most frequent reasons we see in clinic are:
- •Pre-existing dental problems flaring up during travel.
- •Lost fillings or crowns while abroad.
- •Trauma during sightseeing, sports or transport.
- •Pressure changes during flights triggering pain in a previously sensitive tooth.
- •New decay or infection presenting acutely.
Treatment Costs — Guide Prices
All prices below are guide prices for treatments most commonly needed for this kind of emergency. Your written treatment plan after the assessment will confirm the exact figure for your situation, before any treatment goes ahead. SPMD Dental Membership typically saves 50% on most dental treatments (terms apply).
| Treatment | Standard price | Member price |
|---|---|---|
Emergency dental assessment Flat £30 for everyone — examination + pain triage. | £30 | £30 |
Dental X-ray (per image) Only charged if clinically required. | £20 | £10 |
Composite filling Fee depends on size and location. | from £185 | from £92.50 |
Crown (porcelain / metal-ceramic) Per tooth. | from £995 | from £497.50 |
Tooth extraction (simple) For non-surgical removal. | from £250 | from £125 |
Root canal — front tooth (incisor/canine) Crown usually recommended afterwards. | from £695 | from £347.50 |
Emergency assessment is a flat £30 for everyone (this is the standard rate — the membership discount does not apply to the assessment itself). Multi-visit treatments (e.g. root canal + crown) are quoted together so you can see the full cost up front. We never start treatment without your written agreement.
After Your Appointment
You will leave with written aftercare specific to your treatment. As a general guide, the following points apply to most patients seen for this kind of emergency:
- ✓Keep a copy of your written treatment summary for your dentist at home.
- ✓Follow the procedure-specific aftercare provided at your appointment.
- ✓If flying within 24 hours of an extraction, let us know — we may modify the plan.
- ✓Bring any prescribed medication with you and keep it in hand-luggage.
- ✓Contact us by phone if you have concerns after travelling onwards — we can liaise with your home dentist.
If anything worries you between appointments, phone the clinic — we would much rather hear from you early than late.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be registered with the practice?
No. We see new patients and visitors. You do not need an NHS number or UK address to be seen as a private emergency patient.
How quickly can I be seen?
We aim to offer same-day emergency assessment, subject to clinical availability. Call ahead for the soonest appointment at either of our central London clinics.
Will I get a receipt for my travel/dental insurance?
Yes. We provide itemised receipts and a brief written treatment summary on request for insurance claims.
What payment methods do you accept?
Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), debit cards and contactless payment. International cards are accepted. Cash is not preferred.
Can you provide a treatment summary for my dentist at home?
Yes. A short written report describing the diagnosis, the treatment carried out (including any materials used) and any recommended follow-up will be provided on request.
How do I get to the clinics?
South Kensington: 20 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3DL — 2 minutes from South Kensington tube. City of London: 5 Ave Maria Lane, EC4M 7AQ — 3 minutes from St Paul’s tube.
Other Dental Emergencies
Looking for help with something else? See our other emergency dentist pages:
Need to be seen now?
Call the clinic nearest to you. Same-day emergency appointments are subject to clinical availability — we will give you the soonest realistic slot. Out of hours, NHS 111 can also help.
SPMD Medical & Dental is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and our clinicians are registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). If at any point you are unhappy with your care, we welcome your feedback. Our complaints procedure is published on our website and a copy is available on request.
