Dentists
Dental Hospital
Richardson Road,Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4AZ
Overview
The Dental Hospital at Richardson Road in Newcastle Upon Tyne is a specialist dental facility serving patients across the North East region. As a hospital-based dental service, it provides comprehensive oral healthcare to both NHS and private patients, offering treatment for complex dental conditions that may require specialist intervention beyond standard general dental practice care.
The hospital typically delivers services including restorative dentistry, oral surgery, periodontal treatment, and emergency dental care. It serves as an important referral centre for general dentists in the area who need specialist support for their patients with complicated cases. The facility also plays a valuable role in dental education and training, contributing to the development of dental professionals in the region.
Located in the NE2 postcode area, the hospital is accessible to patients throughout Newcastle and surrounding areas. It operates as part of the NHS dental services infrastructure, prioritising treatment based on clinical need. Patients are generally referred through their general dentist rather than attending directly, though emergency cases may be accommodated through appropriate channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can register at Dental Hospital in Newcastle Upon Tyne by calling 01912 843111, visiting the practice in person, or completing a registration form on their website. Unlike GP registration, you do not need to live within a catchment area to join an NHS dentist — you can register with any practice that is accepting NHS patients. You will be asked for your name, date of birth, address, medical history, and details of any medications you take. Your first appointment will usually include a full dental examination.
NHS dental places can be limited and availability changes frequently. Contact Dental Hospital directly on 01912 843111 to check whether they are currently accepting new NHS patients. If Dental Hospital is full, you can call NHS 111 or use the NHS website (nhs.uk) to find other NHS dentists near Newcastle Upon Tyne accepting new patients. You do not need a referral — simply contact the practice.
If you are registered at Dental Hospital, call 01912 843111 during opening hours for an emergency appointment. Outside surgery hours, call NHS 111 for advice — they can direct you to the nearest emergency dental service. Go to A&E only if you have uncontrolled bleeding, facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, or trauma to the face or jaw. For dental pain at home, take over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen or paracetamol), rinse with warm salt water, and apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek.
NHS dental charges in England are set nationally and apply at Dental Hospital. As of 2024, Band 1 (check-up, diagnosis, X-rays, scale and polish if needed, preventive advice) costs £26.80. Band 2 (fillings, root canal treatment, extractions) costs £73.50. Band 3 (crowns, dentures, bridges) costs £319.10. An urgent dental treatment charge is £26.80. If you need more than one treatment in the same course, you only pay the highest band. You may be entitled to free NHS dental care if you are under 18, under 19 and in full-time education, pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, receiving certain benefits, or hold an HC2 certificate.
Yes, Dental Hospital has facilities for inhalation sedation (nitrous oxide), intravenous (IV) sedation, and treatment under general anaesthetic for dental procedures. General anaesthetic dental treatment is only provided in a hospital setting in the UK. These options are available for patients who cannot tolerate dental treatment under local anaesthetic due to anxiety, disability, complex medical conditions, or the nature of the surgical procedure.
Waiting times at Dental Hospital vary by specialty and urgency. Urgent referrals (suspected oral cancer, serious infections) are seen within 2 weeks. Routine specialist referrals may have waiting times of several weeks to months depending on demand. The NHS 18-week referral-to-treatment target applies. The hospital will write to you with an appointment date after receiving the referral from your dentist.
Your first appointment at Dental Hospital is typically an assessment consultation. Bring your referral letter, a list of current medications, and any dental X-rays from your general dentist. The specialist will examine you, may take further X-rays or scans, discuss your diagnosis and treatment options, and create a treatment plan. Depending on the specialty, treatment may begin on the same day or be scheduled for a later appointment.
Dental Hospital is a specialist dental hospital providing advanced dental treatments that are not available at general dental practices. Services typically include oral surgery (complex extractions, wisdom teeth), oral medicine (mouth diseases and conditions), restorative dentistry (complex crowns, bridges, implants), prosthodontics (complex dentures), periodontics (advanced gum disease treatment), endodontics (complex root canal treatment), orthodontics, paediatric dentistry, special care dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and sedation/general anaesthetic dental treatment. Dental Hospital also trains the next generation of dentists.
Dental Hospital provides specialist orthodontic services including treatment for complex cases, combined orthodontic-surgical (orthognathic) treatment for jaw discrepancies, and multidisciplinary care for patients with cleft lip and palate. NHS orthodontic treatment is available for patients who meet clinical criteria.
Yes, Dental Hospital provides surgical removal of wisdom teeth, particularly impacted or complex cases that are beyond the scope of general dental practice. NICE guidelines recommend wisdom tooth removal only when there is clinical justification (recurring infections, damage to adjacent teeth, cysts, or pathology). Your general dentist will refer you if surgical extraction is needed.
As a teaching hospital, Dental Hospital trains dental students and postgraduate specialist trainees. Students may observe, assist, or carry out treatment under direct supervision of experienced consultants. You always have the right to decline the involvement of students, and this will not affect your care. Many treatments at dental hospitals take longer because of the teaching component, but patients benefit from the thoroughness of supervised care and access to the latest techniques and research.
NHS dental hospital treatment is charged at standard NHS dental band rates, the same as a general dental practice. However, if treatment is provided as part of a hospital consultant episode (e.g. oral surgery under general anaesthetic), it is treated as hospital care and there is no dental charge — only standard NHS hospital charges apply (which are free for most patients). Ask the hospital about charges for your specific treatment.
Dental Hospital has specialist teams for the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer and pre-cancerous conditions. Services include urgent two-week wait referrals for suspected oral cancer, biopsy and histopathological diagnosis, surgical treatment, links with oncology for radiotherapy and chemotherapy if needed, and follow-up and rehabilitation (including prosthodontic reconstruction). Early detection of oral cancer dramatically improves outcomes — if your dentist or GP refers you urgently, attend as soon as possible.
Yes, most services at Dental Hospital require a referral from your general dentist or GP. Your dentist will refer you if your case requires specialist treatment beyond what a general practice can provide. Some dental hospitals also accept referrals from other hospital consultants. Emergency referrals for conditions such as facial swelling, post-extraction complications, or suspected oral cancer can be arranged urgently by your dentist or GP.