Can the dentist still see me for a dental emergency?

Yes, appointments are available for dental emergencies. 

Please be aware that dentists’ offices must adhere to guidelines established by the government, state-specific dental boards, and the American Dental Association when making decisions regarding patient care. In some areas, dental practices are only permitted to accept appointments for emergency care, while clinics in other areas are able to offer a greater range of routine services to their patients. 

Definitions have been established around what qualifies as a dental emergency. In general, a dental issue is considered an emergency if it could be life-threatening or requires immediate attention to stop bleeding or infection or relieve severe pain. 

Dental emergencies may include:

• Continuous bleeding that doesn’t stop
• Swelling in or around the mouth that causes pain
• Jaw and tooth pain 
• Painful or swollen gum infection
• Post-surgery follow-up treatments such as stitch removal
• Teeth that have been broken or knocked out
• Adjustment of braces to address cheek or gum pain
• Adjustment of dentures for people undergoing cancer treatments such as radiation
• Abnormal tissue biopsies

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, you may have options for how you seek care. The nature of your emergency may require you to come into our dental office in Brookline for treatment. If that is the case, rigorous protocols are in place by our dentists to ensure that treatment will be administered in a sterilized environment. 

You may also be offered the option of a teledentistry visit, which can be conducted from the safety and comfort of your home. Your dentist will explore your options with you.