A Cockermouth dentist is appealing to people who need urgent treatment to contact their dentist for guidance.

All routine dental care has been stopped throughout the UK during the pandemic because the virus can be easily spread from a patient to the dentist or team member who can then spread it to other patients.

Paul Rowlands, of Derwent Dental Care, said: “The main message should be contact a dentist for a dental problem first, do not ring 111. Obviously the 111 service will be extremely busy and NHS England have asked all dentists to do what they can to help keep dental problems away from this service.

“All dental practices have been asked to provide seven days a week telephone advice by a dentist – patients should ring their own practice and they will get through to a dentist.

“Practices will have different times that they have made themselves available to contact but should be available during “normal office hours” seven days a week at the very minimum if following the request by NHSE.

“There is a treatment centre set up in Carlisle and there are more in the pipeline, this is very much developing all the time so I would say contact your dentist and they will have the up-to-date details of the referral pathway.”

Mr Rowlands is also appealing to people to be sensible about snacking on sugary foods during lockdown.

“All our lives have changed and it’s tempting to reach for the fridge for treats,” he said. “But it’s more important than ever now to be looking after your teeth.”

For information about good dental health go to: www.derwentdentalcare.co.uk