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This urgent dental access centre treats patients who need urgent treatment.

The Cumbria Health UDAC service provides urgent access appointments via NHS 111.

The Cumbria Health UDAC (Urgent Dental Access Centre) service operates from 4 Wavell Drive, Carlisle, CA1 2SE. It offers urgent dental care appointments accessible via NHS 111 and Dental Direct (01228 603900). 

Dental Direct is available Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, while NHS 111 handles out-of-hours and weekend urgent appointment bookings.

Service Hours and Capacity

  • Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (subject to change)
  • Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Approximately 140 appointments available weekly
  • Two fully equipped surgeries, including an OPG facility

What problems can the centre help me with?

You can use the centre if you have one or more of these urgent problems:

  • Severe toothache that causes persistent and intense pain that cannot be managed with over-the-counter painkillers.
  • Dental abscess infections that cause swelling, pain and possibly fever.
  • Broken or knocked-out teeth.
  • Bleeding in the mouth following a dental procedure or an injury that does not stop by itself but can be controlled. If bleeding cannot be controlled in any way, emergency care may be necessary.
  • Swelling in the mouth or face that could be a sign of infection.
  • Fractured, loose or displaced fillings causing pain.
  • Severe bleeding from gums or acute conditions affecting other soft areas of the mouth (such as cheeks or tongue).

Charges and NHS Banding

  • Acute emergency dental care is charged according to NHS banding
  • From April 1, 2025, NHS dental charges in England will be:
    • Band 1: £27.40
    • Band 2: £75.30
    • Band 3: £326.70
    • Urgent dental treatment: £27.40

Staffing and Facilities

  • Team consists of 10 dentists and 4 dental nurses with extensive experience
  • No onsite parking; however, a pay and display car park is available nearby

Who can use the centre?

You can use the centre if you have one or more of the urgent problems above and:

  • you are not currently getting ongoing treatment from an NHS dentist
  • you cannot get an urgent appointment at a local high street NHS dentist

 

Patient Registration and Appointment System

  • The service does not register new patients; it manages urgent care only
  • Operates a triage system where external agencies assess dental needs and book suitable appointments

Patient Feedback

Over 400 patients have completed anonymous surveys, with the majority expressing highly positive experiences. Highlights include:

  • Friendly, professional, and compassionate staff
  • Efficient, thorough, and timely treatment
  • Supportive care for nervous or anxious patients
  • Clear explanations and respectful communication, including support for patients with learning difficulties
  • Suggestions for improved seating accommodations for disabled patients
Urgent and emergency care services:

For emergencies call 999
For out of hours healthcare call 111