EIGHT months pregnant Maxine Hargreaves can't get treatment for her toothache - almost a week after it left her writhing in pain.

And today she blasted the system which is causing scores of dental patients to be turned away.

Maxine, 26, of Lincoln Road, Blackburn, sought treatment from Cromie, Lahda and Associates, Accrington Road, Blackburn, whom she had used in the past.

She was told that because she had not been for a check-up for more than two years she had been automatically deregistered.

Maxine then contacted several other dentists in the Blackburn area, but was told that they could not fit her in for emergency treatment.

She said: "None of the dentists could treat me because I was not registered. The way things are going I will probably give birth before I get the treatment.

"I had no idea that if you did not go for check-ups you would be deregistered.

"This seems to be happening to lots of people and there is really something wrong with the system." Dentist Sheila Cromie, of Cromie, Lahda and Associates, said: "The NHS makes the rules. We are very busy at the moment and about one in five of our patients are pregnant ladies.

"We cannot make an exception for one person. We used to tell patients that if they did not keep their check-ups they would be deregistered.

"We have stopped doing that because it tended to frighten them but we still send people reminders every six months."

Dr Gary Whittle, dental public health consultant for East Lancashire Health Authority, said: "I am surprised this woman was not able to get treatment, especially as she was pregnant and eligible for free treatment.

"The health authority has a list of dentists and I would advise this lady to contact us.

"There is a shortage of dentists in East Lancashire and a soaring demand for treatment."

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