Even under the best circumstances, going to the dentist isn’t anyone’s favorite thing to do. At Urgent Dental Care, we understand that dental anxiety is real and that many people avoid the dentist whenever possible.
Unfortunately, at some point, you will likely experience a severe toothache, dental infection, or an injury that requires emergency treatment. There’s never a good time for a dental emergency, but when it happens, it’s essential to know what to do and who to call.
Many people in the Milwaukee area choose to go to the emergency room, but often this isn’t the best course of action.
So, let’s take a look at the hidden reason Milwaukee’s ERs are overcrowded and explore the dental access gap.
The "West Allis Advantage": Why City Residents are Driving West for Dental Care
At our West Allis dental office, we treat all kinds of dental emergencies, and we hope you’ll choose us when you wake up with a severe toothache or bite down on something and break your tooth unexpectedly.
The 2025 Milwaukee County Primary Access Study found that residents in the 53206, 53219, 53224, and 53225 zip codes don’t have adequate access to local dental clinics. This report is the best source of socioeconomic barriers affecting Milwaukee healthcare.
Because care is unavailable, they often seek care from the hospital emergency room since they don’t have a dentist in their area. And if their dental issues aren’t severe enough, they are often turned away until their pain or symptoms are serious enough to warrant treatment.
Not only that, but this same study found that although southeast Wisconsin has plenty of dentists in the area, only about 23% of Medicaid patients saw a dentist in the past year.
So, instead of patients seeing a dentist and getting prompt treatment and getting back to their busy day, they’re either denied treatment altogether or forced to spend hours in the hospital waiting room.
Triage Guide: Is it a Medical or Dental Emergency?
Often, we hear patients say that they aren’t sure whether their situation is a dental emergency or not. We realize how scary and confusing it can be when you or a loved one is suffering, so we always encourage you to call us for guidance.
According to a national report from the Centers for Disease Control, 55% of dental ER visits are Medicaid-funded and mostly involve dental issues that hospitals are not equipped to treat.
When to Go to the ER
The following symptoms are considered a medical emergency, so you should go to Froedtert Health, Aurora Health Care, or Ascension Wisconsin for treatment IF:
- You have swelling that is spreading to your eye or down your neck.
- You are having difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- You have a high fever (>101F) and feel "out of it" (potential sepsis).
When to Go to Urgent Dental Care
The following symptoms are considered a dental emergency, so you should contact our dental office at (414) 667-0911 IF:
- You have a "throbbing" tooth, but you don’t have a fever.
- You have a visible bump on your gums (abscess).
- Your tooth was knocked out or severely cracked.
Why Choose Urgent Dental Care?
There are numerous reasons you should choose Urgent Dental Care when you are experiencing a dental emergency:
- Strategic accessibility — Our office is located at 10401 W. Lincoln Ave. between Hwy. 45 and Hwy. 100. Many suburban and city residents can get to our office more quickly than the hospital, avoiding downtown traffic altogether.
- Extended “city” hours — Our dental office is open from 9 AM to 9 PM, 7 days a week, making it possible to get the care you need after work or school and on the weekends.
- Definitive care — Our office performs same-day extractions and emergency root canals, alleviating your dental pain. The emergency room only provides “Band-Aid” care.
Closing the Access Gap: Actionable Resources
The key to improving dental care in our area is understanding the obstacles and learning how to get the best care possible.
Some of the benefits of choosing our dental clinic are as follows:
- The walk-in reality — We accept walk-ins and offer transparent pricing, helping you avoid the "Facility Fee" that adds hundreds to a hospital bill.
- Financing the fix — For those on BadgerCare or without insurance, we offer flexible payment partnerships like CareCredit and SunBit to ensure the cost of a root canal doesn't become a long-term debt crisis.
- The 20,000 visit problem — With an estimated 20,000 dental-related ER visits in Milwaukee annually, choosing a specialized clinic helps keep hospital beds open for life-threatening traumas.
Looking for an Emergency Dentist in Milwaukee, WI?
If you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency, our caring team will happily assist you! When you need an emergency dentist in West Allis or the surrounding area, look no further than Urgent Dental Care. We offer quality dental care and will work to alleviate your discomfort and restore your smile.
When the unexpected happens, you can count on us for the compassionate treatment you deserve.
Please reach out to our dental office at (414) 667-0911 to ask a question or schedule an appointment.
We look forward to hearing from you!