Severe dental pain is no joke. A badly infected tooth, impacted wisdom teeth, or recovery from oral surgery can make working impossible — yet many people feel unsure whether dental issues "count" for a sick note.
CAN I GET A SICK NOTE FOR DENTAL PAIN?
Yes — if the dental condition is severe enough to genuinely prevent you from working, it is a valid reason for a sick note. A doctor can issue a fit note based on your symptoms and their impact on your daily functioning, even if the underlying cause is dental.
DENTAL CONDITIONS THAT MAY QUALIFY
● Severe dental abscess or infection (which can cause facial swelling, fever, and intense pain)
● Impacted or infected wisdom teeth
● Post-operative recovery from tooth extraction (particularly wisdom tooth removal)
● Dry socket (a painful complication after extraction)
● Significant dental trauma (broken or knocked-out teeth from injury)
● Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders causing severe jaw pain
CONDITIONS THAT TYPICALLY DON'T QUALIFY
Mild or moderate toothache that doesn't prevent basic functioning is unlikely to meet the clinical threshold for a fit note. A sick note requires that your condition is genuinely preventing you from doing your job.
WHAT ABOUT DENTAL APPOINTMENTS?
A sick note is not typically needed for missing work to attend a dental appointment — this is usually covered by your employer's standard absence policy. A sick note is for when dental illness keeps you off work, not for the appointment itself.
GETTING YOUR SICK NOTE ONLINE
At Dr Sick, our doctors assess your symptoms and their impact on your ability to work. For severe dental pain or post-surgical recovery, this can absolutely justify a fit note.
Complete our online consultation at drsick.co.uk and receive your fit note the same day.
