Dental "clinics" in the UK?

Ok, pardon my ingornace of the UK dental system - I'm not there yet, and I'm not really a big fan of dentists.  But I have a good friend who lives in the UK and right now he's having a fair amount of trouble with a wisdom tooth - it's infected, and needs to come out.  He's been waiting for an appointment through his NHS dentist for quite a while now - and I'm worried about him getting really sick because of the infection.  He told me that he had spoken to a private dentist, and was quoted an insane amount of money (I think it was nearly two thousand quid) to take out the tooth and take care of the infection.  My question is this - are there any kind of "free clinics" in the UK, for people who can't afford private dentists?  Or is this what (hypothetically) the NHS is supposed to be covering?  Or maybe some sort of dental school, where the work would be done by students at a discount?

I just hate the thought of him living with this infection much longer.  And he doesn't have anywhere near 2000 pounds.  If anybody has any ideas, I'd appreciate it.

(He's in West Sussex, by the way)

He should call NHS and get emergency care. Even if he is not on any NHS dentist's patient list, he can receive emergency care. He should call NHS Direct at 08454647.

Oh, thank you, I'll tell him to try that.

You're welcome, hope it works out.

I went to a NHS emergency clinic on a Sunday because I had a very serious abcess which had caused me to pass out the night before.  They were wonderful and I was only here as a visitor.

I saw a private dentist the following day who sent me to a private specialist.  They were both wonderful and I wouldn't go to a dentist in the USA ever again if I can help it.  It has to do with attitude.  They all bent over backward  to help and I received no lectures.  I am so tired of every dentist I have ever seen in the USA lecturing me about my bad teeth since I was nine years old. These dentists actually treated me like an adult.  End of rant!!!!!   

If you're just going in for a routine check-up though, what's it like? Does anyone know? 

(I mean a standard NHS dentist.)

I find the dentists on the NHS quite good, but then I only go every nine months for a check-up and clean as I don't have any problems with my teeth.

My hubby on the other hand, hates going to the dentist.  So much in fact that he used to have to be put to sleep before they could do anything near his mouth. 
We moved house a few years ago and he couldn't get registered with a dentist through the NHS so has had to go private.  Now he LOVES going to the dentist.  He's even had several root canals and not flinched!!

It does cost though.  I think I pay around £15 for a check-up and cleaning, and he must pay upwards of £70 for basically the same thing.

Thanks for the reply, Murasaki.  My bf feels pretty much exactly the same way your husband felt about going to the dentist, so that definitely has got me wondering if dental care on the NHS really is THAT scary, and if so, how much worse is it than private dental care?

If you have a baby here you get free dental care throughout your pregnancy as well as a year after. When i had Coby I went to the dentist that was excepting new NHS patients. I got really lucky. I got a nice, attractive   Swedish dentist that did all my fillings, cleanings and even got some cosmetic work done also. He fitted three porcelain veneers which would have cost about £600 each. I got very lucky however he went back to Sweden and now I have to search for a good dentist. My husbands dentist is the worst! We nicknamed him "The Butcher"...OUCH!
Anyway just adding my two cents.. 

I just had my first dental appointment here and I was very impressed. Another big grin for attractive blond Swedish dentists.

He really cleaned and did a thorough scaling and I hadn't been in years so really needed it. I had no wait, they were all very pleasant and it took less than 20 minutes.

I had to go privately as no one in this area is accepting new NHS so I doubt I'll go back every 6 months just for checkups.