PATIENTS across East Lancashire who do not visit their dentist regularly could find themselves without access to NHS treatment.

New government regulations mean that anybody who has not been to the dentist since September 1996 will automatically be taken off the NHS register from the New Year.

The British Dental Association has claimed the move could have a damaging effect on the oral health of the nation.

Darwen-based BDA spokesman Frank Van Russelt said: "We are very concerned about this.

"The regular attender will be fine, but anyone who has not been to the dentist for five or 10 years could be in for an unpleasant shock if they try to make an appointment. They could well find that they are not on the list."

Mr Van Russelt said that in some cases the dentist would not be able to take the patient back on to their NHS list.

"The patient may have to travel or go to someone who they don't particularly want to go to if they want NHS treatment," he said.

He added that people should not forget the importance of regular dental check-ups for their health. "It is not just about tooth decay and gum disease - we can detect other problems such as cancer. A visit to the dentist is a health screen."

Derek Cummins, deputy director of primary care at East Lancashire Health Authority, said there was a shortage of NHS dentists in Burnley and Pendle and the authority was constantly trying to secure as many NHS dentists for the area as possible.

He said many dentists would treat non-registered patients in emergencies, but they were not obliged to do.

"If people are having difficulty finding an NHS dentist, they should contact the health authority," he said.

"We will do our utmost to put them with a dentist who is accepting new NHS patients, but it is quite possible they will have to travel to that dentist."

"Our advice would be that if you are registered with an NHS dentist, make sure you go at least every 15 months and preferably every six months."

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