NHS Oral & Dental Surgery Referral Waiting Times in Luton

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Updated February 2026

The typical wait to see an oral surgeon is

19 weeks

That's 4½ months

The NHS Oral & Dental Surgery waiting list at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust currently has 7,102 patients waiting, with a typical wait of around 19 weeks from GP referral. About 5 in 10 Oral & Dental Surgery patients here are seen within 18 weeks (the NHS constitutional target is 9 in 10). 273 have been waiting over a year. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS Foundation Trust in the East of England region. Waits at this hospital are about 1.7 weeks shorter than in February 2025. It's moved up 6 places in the national league for this department's; now 83 out of 113 hospitals.

12-month change

Then vs now for this department at this hospital

Feb 25Feb 26
Typical wait
19.5weeks
▼ -1.7 wks
How long most people wait
Seen in 18 weeks
5in 10
▲ +3.7 pts
NHS aims to see everyone this fast
People waiting
7.1k
▲ +1.1k
On the waiting list right now
Waiting over a year
273
No change
Been on the list for 12+ months
5 in 10
seen within 18 weeks
The NHS tries to treat everyone this fast
7,102
people waiting right now
Currently on this department's list
46 weeks
long-wait time
About 1 in 12 people wait this long or longer
273 people
have waited over a year
Been on the list for 12+ months
1,414 people
waiting for a surgery date
Already been told they need an operation

Long waiter breakdown

Of those waiting over a year, here's how long they've been waiting:

270waiting 1 to 1.25 years (52 to 65 weeks)
3waiting 1.25 to 1.5 years (65 to 78 weeks)

Wait time over time

Median wait for this department, with the national average as a dashed line.

▼ -1.7 wks

How long are people waiting?

Distribution of patients by how many weeks they've been on the waiting list.

How does this compare?

The national average wait to see an oral surgeon is about 16 weeks. This hospital is slower than the national average.

Hospital ranking

Ranked 83rd out of 113 hospitals nationally for this department

Ranked 8th out of 12 in East of England

What does Oral & Dental Surgery cover?

Common conditions and procedures for this department:

Wisdom tooth removal
Jaw surgery (orthognathic)
Dental implants
Removal of impacted teeth
Jaw joint problems (TMJ)
Mouth ulcer investigation
Cyst removal
Biopsies of mouth lesions

Hospital contact

Main hospital switchboard. ask to be connected to the department.

Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ
01582 491166
NHS Bedfordshire, Luton And Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board

Patient experiences

People who used this department at this hospital.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the NHS Oral & Dental Surgery waiting list at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust?

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust currently has about 7,102 patients on its Oral & Dental Surgery waiting list. The typical wait from GP referral to first appointment is around 19 weeks.

Does Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust meet the NHS 18-week target for Oral & Dental Surgery?

About 47% of Oral & Dental Surgery patients at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are currently seen within 18 weeks of GP referral. The NHS constitutional target is 92%.

Can I choose a different hospital if the Oral & Dental Surgery wait is too long?

Yes. Under the NHS Constitution, patients in England can ask their GP to refer them to any hospital that provides NHS care. Use WaitRadar to compare Oral & Dental Surgery waiting times at other NHS hospitals near you before accepting a referral.

This is informational data, not medical advice. Always discuss referral options with your GP. Full disclaimer.