Amanda Carroll said the family had appointments pending

Amanda Carroll, from Torbay, said they were told go to another emergency centre 200 metres away after her son, Logan, broke two front teeth.

The Torbay Dental Practice claims the Carrolls had been de-registered because they had missed appointments and not paid for missing them.

Health officials said that all NHS patients must keep up regular appointments to avoid being dropped from a practice's list.

By national comparisons, we actually have a higher rate of NHS registration - but not one high enough for all local people Peter Colclough, Torbay Primary Healthcare Trust

Logan broke his front teeth after falling face-first onto a patio, splitting his teeth in two.

Amanda Carroll said: "I was advised to take him to casualty. They saw him and told us what I already knew - to take him to my dentist."

When she took him, they were told they had been de-registered and would not receive treatment.

The Torbay Dental Practice claims the Carrolls had missed appointments and said it sent them a letter saying they were no longer registered.

The Carrolls insist only one appointment was missed, they never received any letters and still had an appointment pending.

Dentist Stephen Fairley said there was a temporary receptionist working that day but that she followed the correct procedure by telling Mrs Carroll to go to an emergency centre.

The dentist said he would have treated Logan had he seen him

The emergency centre was closed because of staff sickness.

Mr Fairley did admit that he did not see Logan himself and that had he done so he had he may well have treated him.

Logan has since been treated.

The NHS has a policy of de-registering patients that do not book appointments within 15 months, or miss appointments.

Peter Colclough of the Torbay Primary Healthcare Trust said: "There are problems in some parts of the area with the availability of dentists who are prepared to accept people registered on the NHS.

"By national comparisons, we actually have a higher rate of registration - but not one high enough for all local people to be able to access an NHS dentist."