A Norfolk dental surgery has become the latest to close its doors to NHS patients, blaming "a chronic lack of investment by successive governments".
In an open letter to its patients posted on its website, the team at the Church Street Dental Practice in Attleborough announced it will see its last NHS patients on November 30.
The surgery will instead solely operate on a private basis, citing the departure of two of its dentists as the catalyst for the change.
Its statement reads: "For many years we have proudly provided care under the umbrella of the NHS but will no longer be doing so from December 1, 2022.
"Unfortunately, we have lost two dentists in the last two years due to a chronic lack of investment in NHS dentistry by successive governments.
"This has made it impossible for us to recruit and fill these vacancies.
"Coupled with rapidly rising costs this means we feel we cannot deliver the high standards of care you have come to expect and remain a viable business."
The decision will add to the problems for dental patients in the region, with NHS appointments becoming harder and harder to access.
It comes just weeks after Manor House dentist in Long Stratton closed permanently, going into liquidation owing more than £400,000 to NHS England.
A national survey conducted by watchdog Healthwatch earlier this year found that one in five people locally said they could not access the treatment they needed and had turned to private health care.
The situation has seen the issue become the one complaint from patients the watchdog deals with most.
Chief executive Alex Stewart has warned: “We are concerned more practices in Norfolk will take the decision to see only private non-emergency patients due to the current format of the NHS dental contracts.
"There needs a realistic review to take account of the needs of patients while ensuring dentists are remunerated realistically based on the people they see and the work they do.
"There is also an issue around attracting dentists to Norfolk and keeping them here. We are aware of some practices which would extent their NHS list but cannot find the staff to help them achieve this."
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