Question 1

Can an online dentist help with urgent toothache?

Accepted Answer

An online dentist can assess your symptoms by video, discuss your medical history and advise on managing pain and next steps. ToothAid provides UK-wide consultations for adults aged 18 and over. A video call cannot replace an examination, X-rays or hands-on treatment when these are needed.

Question 2

Can an online dentist prescribe antibiotics in the UK?

Accepted Answer

A UK GDC-registered dentist can issue a private electronic prescription by video, but only when clinically appropriate after an assessment; a prescription is not guaranteed. It appears in your patient notes, and you receive a text with a unique code to take to any UK pharmacy. Pharmacy medication and dispensing charges are separate.

Question 3

Can an online dentist help with wisdom tooth pain?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A ToothAid dentist can assess wisdom tooth pain by video and advise on pain relief, reducing gum swelling and keeping the area clean around an erupting tooth. If a wisdom tooth causes a localised cheek swelling, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics to help it settle. Seek urgent care or call 999 if swelling spreads to your neck or towards your eye, your mouth opening reduces, or you have trouble swallowing or breathing.

Question 4

Can an online dentist help with a dental abscess?

Accepted Answer

A video consultation can help a dentist assess a suspected abscess and how urgently you need care. Where the infection is localised, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics to bring the infection and swelling down while advising on the in-person treatment needed. Seek urgent care or call 999 if swelling spreads to your neck or towards your eye, your mouth opening reduces, or you have trouble swallowing or breathing.

Question 5

How much does a ToothAid consultation cost?

Accepted Answer

A ToothAid video consultation costs £24.99, with no subscription. It includes the dentist's assessment, advice and a written care plan. If a prescription is clinically appropriate, there is no extra ToothAid issuing fee. Pharmacy medication and dispensing charges, and any in-person treatment, are paid separately.

Question 6

Is ToothAid a regulated dental provider?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ToothAid is operated by Toothaid Ltd, registered with the Care Quality Commission in England under provider ID 1-18043045416. Consultations are provided by GDC-registered UK dentists whose registration and indemnity are checked before they see patients. CQC registration does not mean a video consultation is suitable for every dental problem.

Question 7

Who will I speak to?

Accepted Answer

A GDC registered UK dentist who has completed ToothAid's onboarding and vetting checks, including registration and indemnity verification.

Question 8

Can I get a prescription?

Accepted Answer

Where it is clinically appropriate, your dentist can issue a private electronic prescription through Signature Rx, a secure UK electronic prescribing service. Your dentist signs it with their own prescribing account, and Signature Rx sends it to you by email so you can show it at any UK pharmacy - there is no paper prescription and no extra app to download. Prescribing is always at the dentist's clinical discretion.

Question 9

Do I have to pay for my prescription?

Accepted Answer

ToothAid does not charge for issuing your prescription - it is included in your £24.99 consultation. Because it is a private prescription, the pharmacy will charge you for the medicine when you collect it, and NHS prescription exemptions do not apply. Pharmacy prices vary.

Question 10

Is an online consultation enough, or will I need to see a dentist in person?

Accepted Answer

Many problems can be assessed and managed online: your dentist can work out what is likely causing your symptoms, advise you on how to ease pain and protect your teeth for now, and issue a private prescription where clinically appropriate. Some problems, such as a filling, root canal treatment or an extraction, can only be treated in a chair. If that applies to you, your dentist will tell you during the call and explain how urgently you need to be seen - whether that is today, within a few days or at a routine check-up.

Question 11

What happens if I need in-person treatment?

Accepted Answer

Your dentist will explain what treatment you are likely to need and how soon. Afterwards, a written consultation report is saved in your account, so you can share it with your own dentist or any practice you choose, and they can see what was found and advised. In-person treatment is arranged and priced separately by that practice. If you don't have a dentist, we will point you to how to find one, including NHS 111 for urgent care.

Question 12

Can I see the same dentist in person?

Accepted Answer

Usually not. ToothAid dentists consult online from across the UK, so they may not be near you. Your written report means you don't need to start from scratch: any dentist you see in person can read what your ToothAid dentist found and recommended.

Question 13

Can I cancel my consultation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can cancel from your account at any time before the start time. Cancel with more than 6 hours' notice and your fee is refunded within 5 working days; cancel within 6 hours of the start time and the fee is non-refundable. You can also reschedule free of charge from your account up to 3 hours before the start time; after that, rescheduling isn't possible.

Question 14

Is my information private?

Accepted Answer

Your records, photographs and X-rays are stored privately and encrypted, and are only accessible to people directly involved in your care. You can request a copy of your data or ask for it to be erased where retention rules allow.

Question 15

What do GDC and CQC stand for?

Accepted Answer

GDC stands for the General Dental Council, the body that registers and regulates every dentist in the UK. A dentist who is GDC registered is qualified and legally allowed to practise. CQC stands for the Care Quality Commission, the independent regulator of health and care services in England. It checks that providers like us meet national safety and quality standards.

Question 16

Can I book for my child or someone under 18?

Accepted Answer

ToothAid provides consultations for patients aged 18 and over. If your child needs dental care, please contact your local dental practice or call NHS 111 for advice.

Question 17

Do I need to be an NHS or private patient to use ToothAid?

Accepted Answer

Neither. ToothAid is open to anyone in the UK, whether or not you are registered with a dental practice. If you already have an NHS or private dentist, we will share your consultation summary with you so you can pass it on to them.

Question 18

Is ToothAid suitable for emergencies?

Accepted Answer

No. If you have facial swelling affecting your eye or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or uncontrolled bleeding, call 999 or attend A&E.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions