A north Norfolk dental practice is up for sale due to a shortage of dentists.

Bupa Dental Care North Walsham is seeking a new owner to take over the Market Place practice after the private healthcare provider announced it is set to close, sell or merge 85 of its 450 UK dental practices.

Bupa Dental Care said this is because of a national shortage of dentists, increased running costs caused by inflation, and a rise in energy prices.

It has come to the “difficult decision” to put the North Walsham practice up for sale after struggling to recruit dentists to deliver NHS care - adding that it is “optimistic that a local provider can be found to continue access to dental services in the local community”.

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A Bupa spokesman said: “We want to reassure patients that this practice is currently open as usual.

“Changes are due to take place later in the year, and we will be writing to all patients in due course to explain what it means for them.

“This decision will allow the NHS contract to transfer to new owners, so that access to NHS dental services can continue for patients.

“We will be fully supporting our people to explore alternative roles within Bupa.”

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Mark Allan, general manager for Bupa Dental Care, said: “We fully understand the impact the decision has on our patients and our people within these practices.

“This decision has not been taken lightly and closure is a last resort. Despite our continued efforts, the dental industry is facing a number of significant and systemic challenges that are placing additional pressure on providing patient care, in particular recruiting dentists to deliver NHS dental care.

“This decision enables us to focus our efforts on high-quality, continued sustainable care for patients across our wider portfolio.”