Emergency Dentist in Clayton
A tooth that’s flared up can derail a whole day — especially when you’re trying to get to work, finish a deadline, or look after the family. Dunstan Dental provides emergency dental care from our Clayton practice for patients across the south-east, with same-day appointments where we can fit them in. We see students, professionals, families, and people who simply need a dentist they can reach quickly.
To get seen, use the Book Now button to find the next available appointment. If you can’t see a time that suits, please leave us a message — we’ll call you back within business hours and work to find you a spot for relief.
Is What I'm Feeling an Emergency?
Not every dental problem needs to be seen today, and we'd rather give you a straight answer than make you panic. As a rough guide:
Please come in today
- A tooth has been knocked out — read the next section first, the first hour matters.
- You're in significant pain that's not settling with paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- There's swelling around your tooth, gum, jaw, or face.
- You've had trauma to your face or mouth — a fall, accident, or sports injury.
- There's bleeding that hasn't slowed within 15 to 20 minutes.
- A tooth has broken and the broken edge is sharp or sensitive.
Soon, but not necessarily today
- A filling or crown has come out, but you're not in pain.
- There's mild sensitivity to cold or sweet things.
- A small chip on a tooth that isn't sharp or painful.
- A broken denture that you can still manage with.
If you're not sure how urgent your situation is, please give us a call. Our reception team can ask a few quick questions and help work out the right next step.
Knocked-Out Tooth: What to Do Right Now
If a permanent tooth has come out, the first hour decides almost everything. Move quickly but calmly:
Adult tooth
- Hold the tooth by the crown — the white biting part. Don't touch the root.
- If it's dirty, rinse briefly (10 seconds max) with milk or saline. Don't scrub. Don't use soap or chemicals.
- If you can, put it back into the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth to hold it in place.
- If you can't reimplant it, drop it into a cup of cold milk. Saliva works in a pinch — held in the cheek if the patient is old enough not to swallow it. Don't use water.
- Get to a dentist as fast as you can.
Baby tooth
Don't try to reimplant a baby tooth — it can permanently damage the adult tooth growing underneath. Bring the child in to be checked, and bring the tooth too so we can examine the root.
Convenient for Where You Already Are
Clayton sits on the south-east's main transport spine. We're a short drive from Oakleigh, Mulgrave, Mount Waverley, Notting Hill, and Springvale, and accessible by public transport from across the south-east — so you can usually get to us during a work break or between classes rather than rearranging your whole day. Parking is straightforward at the practice.
If you work in the Monash medical precinct, around CSIRO, or at the university, we're a quick trip across — and we'll do our best to get you in and out so you can finish your day.
What Happens When You Come In
Patients often ask what to expect, especially if they haven't been to a dentist in a while. A typical emergency appointment looks like this.
How long will I be there?
Usually 30 to 60 minutes for the initial visit. We use that time to work out what's happening, get you out of pain, and plan anything further. More involved treatment is usually booked into a longer follow-up appointment.
Will I need an X-ray?
Most likely yes. A lot of dental problems sit below the gum line or inside the tooth where we can't see them on examination alone. A small intraoral X-ray usually gives us enough information to plan.
Will I be in pain during treatment?
We use local anaesthetic for anything that would otherwise hurt. If you're particularly anxious about needles or treatment, please let our reception team know when you book — we have ways to make the visit easier and we'd rather know in advance.
What about the cost?
We'll quote you before any treatment goes ahead. If anything we recommend would push the cost up significantly, we'll talk through options first.
Patients from Across the South-East
Dunstan Dental sees emergency patients from Clayton itself and from surrounding suburbs — Rowville, Aspendale, Wheelers Hill, Oakleigh, Moorabbin, Mentone, Mordialloc, Springvale, Noble Park, Keysborough. You don't need to be an existing patient to be seen in an emergency, and we'll send a summary to your usual dentist afterwards if you'd like.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. We see new patients for dental emergencies all the time. If you're already going somewhere else for routine care, that's no problem — we'll send a written summary to your regular dentist after the visit so your records stay up to date.
Usually yes for genuine emergencies. We keep slots in our schedule specifically for urgent cases. The fastest way to find an opening is the Book Now button on this page; if nothing suitable shows up, please leave a message and we'll call back to work something out.
Not without seeing a dentist first. Most dental pain is not bacterial and antibiotics won't help — what's needed is usually to address the underlying problem in the tooth (a filling, root canal treatment, or extraction). Antibiotics are sometimes useful for specific infections but are decided on examination, not over the phone.
Worth getting in for. Food that's wedged between teeth can press on the gum and cause swelling and sometimes infection. If you can't get it out with gentle flossing and the swelling is increasing, please book in — it usually only takes a few minutes to resolve.
Most emergency dental treatment can be done safely during pregnancy. We'll take a careful history, avoid certain medications, and plan X-rays only where genuinely needed (using a protective shield). Leaving a dental infection untreated during pregnancy carries its own risks, so please don't put off being seen.
Please bring them in as soon as possible, along with any fragments you can find — sometimes we can bond pieces back on if they're intact.
Yes, we process claims through HICAPS on the day for most major funds. You'll only need to pay the gap on the spot rather than the full amount and waiting for a rebate.
Our standard appointment hours apply for emergency care. If your problem appears outside hours, please leave us a message through the practice and we'll get back to you as soon as we open. Simple analgesia (paracetamol and ibuprofen are often both safe taken together for adults without contraindications) can help in the meantime, and we'll work to fit you in as soon as we can.
Types Of Dental Implants
Single Tooth Implants
Ideal for replacing one missing tooth without affecting neighbouring teeth.
Multiple Tooth Implants
Used for replacing several missing teeth, providing a stable and permanent solution.
Implant Supported Bridges
A temporary bridge is placed while your permanent bridge is being crafted.
Implant Retained Dentures
Offering improved stability and comfort compared to conventional dentures.
Why Choose Us?
Compassion
Kindness
Integrity
Trust
Respect
Excellence
Dunstan Dental is operated by registered dental practitioners under the Dental Board of Australia (AHPRA). The information on this page is general and does not replace clinical advice.