A heavily pregnant woman claims she was left in tears after a Potters Bar dentist told her to leave his surgery, because her three-year-old autistic son was too disruptive.

Mum-of-three Sally Prigg, who is 29 weeks pregnant, went to the dentist last week because one of her sons had hit his teeth falling up the stairs.

The 33-year-old from Carpenter Way in Potters Bar had to take three-year-old Rhys Woods with her to the appointment, as he was unwell and could not attend school, and no other childcare was available.

She said that Rhys, who was diagnosed with autism at 18 months, struggles in situations such as waiting rooms, but was calm and better behaved than she had expected.

His mother said that he squealed a few times but that this was understandable as he does not speak and, therefore, communicates through sounds.

Ms Prigg said: “In my opinion it was probably the best visit to a dentist or hospital we have ever had with Rhys.”

However, the dentist came out of his surgery to speak to Rhys, despite Ms Prigg warning him that her son is not comfortable with people he does not know.

The shocked lady, who had just come out of hospital with a pregnancy-related illness, claims that she was then told by the dentist that Rhys would have to leave.

She says that the dentist told her that her son was disruptive and that he was disturbing other patients.

When informed that Rhys was autistic, the dentist allegedly told Ms Prigg that this was not his concern.

He then, she claims, went on to tell her that next time she attends his surgery she should make sure to leave Rhys behind.

Ms Prigg said: “I don’t understand his justification in asking us to leave, he didn’t care that my child is autistic.”

Ms Prigg was so upset by the dentist’s behavior that she left the building in tears.

She said: “Everyone is quite horrified about it.

“It really hurt me right to the core. It was the most undignified thing that has ever happened to me.

“I was devastated that my child could be seen in this way.”

After the incident Ms Prigg’s sisters wrote to the the dentist, with a complaint.

They are also contacting the Primary Care Trust and the National Autistic Society to inform them of the experience.

Ms Prigg is in discussions with a solicitor but does not yet know whether she has a case.

She said: “I just want people to be aware about how even the NHS can be so inconsiderate to a disabled child.”