"Extreme tooth pain"

I just wanted to share my experience as I'm not very satisfied.

On Saturday morning, I woke with extreme tooth pain and I knew my dentist was closed. As you do, you think maybe it'll get worse, maybe it'll get better, so I left it.

It got to around midnight on Saturday and I knew I couldn't leave it, so I called 111 in case they could help me. I was told to ring back at 8:30 in the morning, so I did, to be told I have to wait 24 hours to be referred to a dentist.

About 8 30 that night, the pain was excruciating, I was taking painkillers but they were having no effect. I thought, what if this is an infection? What if I need antibiotics? I called 111 and was told there were no dental services available. I thought the '24 hour' figure I was given was a day straight through, I didn't think the timer would stop at night. I asked if I could be referred to a GP because if it really was an infection then I could get some antibiotics and at least help it heal in some way. I was told a GP cannot prescribe anything for the mouth. The whole thing was really quite distressing.

I was finally called by the dentist at 10:30 yesterday, but by 8:30 I had been to see my dentist. I was right, it is infected, I got treatment but I am still in a lot of pain.

I was just confused, I know the NHS is struggling, but to leave somebody in that agony for days with no help? It was a horrendous ordeal. The actual people I spoke to at 111 were as lovely as can be, no faults there, but this system can't be right.