can't get NHS dentist appointment

[Skullrain]

Hi any advice would be appreciated. I have been unable to register with an NHS dentist for a few years now (as I'm sure many others have had issues with also). So I am currently registered privately but I simply cannot afford to pay for another appointment /treatment privately again. What are my options? I have constant pain in my jaw at the moment and also pain when eating/biting down on one side. I suspect I probably need a filling. But I don't know what to do when I can't afford to pay for it? When I rang my dentist they said to call 111, is this correct? I don't know what constitutes as a dental emergency and will I still have to pay the same amount regardless?
Thanks

It's shit.

Call 111 and see what they say. Do you have a dental hospital / school near you?

Use 111 to request emergency appt, tell white lies and exagerate your symptoms and you will be seen.

If money is an issue you could consider denplan, you have to be dentally fit to join though. It just means any treatment is covered and you pay a monthly payment. For myself it's £30 a month, definitely had my money's worth.

You can request an emergency appointment but normal only for infection, tooth loss or excessive bleeding. They may direct you to your local dental hospital where you turn up and wait your turn, a bit like a walk in centre

NHS choices website, find a dentist, put your postcode in to find NHS dentists accepting patients near you (if there are any).

No dental hospital near by that I know of. I have called around all the dentists in my area and no where taking nhs. I called 111 who have referred me to the dental service. Was told I'd get a call back in 12hrs, so far it's been just over 24hrs and haven't heard from them other than texts to say there is a delay and I'm in a queue.

I've also had strep throat twice in the last 4 weeks, just finished another course of antibiotics for it a few days ago and sore throat is coming back again! I don't know if there is a link between that and the toothache, if there is an infection in the tooth?

How sure are you that it is dental pain?

That area can be very difficult to tell pain apart from inside the ear, in a tooth, on the gums, etc.

Most Gps will want you to have seen a dentist to rule out tooth pain/infection first but if you've had strep throat it might not be dental.

Well there is definitely pain when biting down in my tooth that has been going on for weeks prior to the throat infections and I can no longer chew on that side of my mouth. The jaw pain is on the same side so I thought it must caused by the ongoing tooth pain but I could be wrong

More likely there's an infection in the tooth, your run down from the sore throat and anti biotics and you can no longer keep the infection in the tooth at bay. Salt washes will help. You'll need to get into the dental service again, a dental infection shouldn't be left long term really