Visit notes · 2 minutes · Printable · Nothing saved

What to say when you call the dentist

Dental offices decide how fast to see you from a thirty-second phone call. Tick what applies and read the result out loud, so the important details are the ones they hear.

Fig. 1 — Your notes
What is the main problem?
Where in your mouth?
When did it start?
Any of these? They change everything
Tick anything else that applies
Things the dentist needs to know about you

Nothing you type here is saved or sent · It disappears when you leave the page

Fig. 2 — What to say when you call

Notes for my dental visit

Hi, I am calling about tooth pain. The pain is about 5 out of 10. How soon can I be seen?

Questions to ask

  1. 01Do you have a same-day or emergency appointment?
  2. 02What should I do until I am seen, and what should make me call back sooner?
  3. 03What will the first visit cost, and do you take my insurance?
  4. 04If you cannot see me, who would you recommend I call?

My own notes · Not a diagnosis · Emergency → 911

Table 1 — Who to call

Where to get seen

Your own dentistCall even after hours. Most offices have an emergency line or a voicemail message that tells you what to do.
An emergency dentistSearch for one near you and phone before you travel, to confirm they can see you today.
A dental school clinicSupervised students and residents treat urgent problems at reduced fees. Many have walk-in emergency hours.
A community health centerFederally funded health centers often have dental clinics with fees on a sliding scale.
Urgent care or the ERFor swelling, fever, uncontrolled pain, or injury when no dentist is available. They can treat infection and pain; most cannot fix the tooth.

General information · Not dental advice

This tool writes down what you tell it. It does not assess your symptoms or decide how urgent they are. We always recommend seeing a dentist. Nothing on this site can examine your mouth or tell you what is wrong. If something hurts, looks wrong, or worries you, book an exam, and go sooner if it is getting worse.

Emergency? If you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling that is spreading toward your eye or neck, a fever with facial swelling, or bleeding that will not stop, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately. Full disclaimer

About this tool

This tool gives general, educational information only. It does not know your health history, has not examined you, and cannot diagnose anything or tell you what treatment you need. Use it to prepare for a conversation with your dentist, not to replace one.

Medical disclaimer

The information provided on Urgent Dental Helper is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical or dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Urgent Dental Helper is not a dental practice, and nothing here has examined your mouth. Always see a licensed dentist, physician, or other qualified health provider in person about any dental or medical condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or any result you received on this website.