Another Dentist Question

I am really confused. From what I've read on here I was under the impression that you could register with basically any NHS dentist that was able to take patients on.

After discussing this with a co-worker, he told me that you could go anywhere you needed for dentistry if you were to go private but if you were to register as an NHS patient you would need to find one in your catchment area.

Is this correct? I'm a little stressed out about this as I have a cavity that has just come on and it is starting to get painful and I was hoping to register with a dentist before the weekend. Unfortunately I live in the borough of Gateshead (just barely) and the nearest dentists aren't taking on NHS patients (according to the NHS website). There are several in Newcastle city centre that ARE taking on NHS patients, plus they seem to be closer to where I live than the Gateshead ones anyway.

Will I have to go private? 

I'm pretty sure you don't have to register with one in your catchment area.

I live in London, and am registered with an NHS dentist in a different borough (and a different side of the river).

you can register with any NHS dentist you like; the location is irrelevant.

My brother is registered with a NHS dentist 70 miles away from his house! - you can register anywhere if they have places. 

Yep, I am sure that is correct, you can go to an NHS dentist anywhere you like. I will  know shortly as I am hoping to see a dentist down south when I visit my parents next month.