The BCDA (British Columbia Dental Association) defines an emergency* as:

• Traumatic injury to your mouth, jaw or teeth
• Severe pain you can’t control with over the counter medication
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Severe swelling in your mouth, face or neck

If you think you are experiencing a dental emergency please call your dental office! 

All dentists in BC are required to provide patients with emergency dental care.  Dr. Gallant may direct you to come to her office, give you things you can do yourself to ease your symptoms, prescribe medications or she may direct you to the emergency room in an urgent situation.  It’s important that you follow instructions!

During office hours we will answer your call (or return your voice message), consult with Dr. Gallant to determine whether your situation requires you to attend the office immediately.  Outside of office hours our voice message will have Dr. Gallant’s emergency contact number or the telephone number of a local dentist that is on call for her.  Depending on the severity of your situation you can either call Dr. Gallant or our emergency contact, call “811” for HealthLinkBC or direct yourself to the nearest emergency room. 

IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING OR YOUR MOUTH IS CONTINUOUSLY FILLING WITH BLOOD, CALL 911 OR GO TO YOUR NEAREST HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT!

Tips to prevent dental emergencies:

• Keep regular dental appointments
• Practice good oral hygiene
• See a dentist before problems become severe
• Wear your gear (mouthguards, shields, helmets)
• Wear your seatbelt

How can you help?

• Call right away if you need a dentist
• Be accurate with your description of your problem
• Let the dentist know if you have recently had dental work done

*Source BCDA

Resources:

Bcdental.org

CDSBC.org/dental_emergencies