A private healthcare group is set to close one of its dentist branches in Kent - leaving thousands of patients searching for a new provider.

Bupa Dental Care in Shorncliffe Road, Folkestone, is among 85 practices across the UK being shut.

The branches will be closed throughout this year, affecting a total of 1,200 members of staff bringing the number of practices in the country down to 365.

It comes after a national shortage of dentists and “systemic” challenges across the industry.

Bupa provides private and NHS dental care and bosses say they have been unable to recruit enough dentists for NHS care in many practices for months, and in some cases years.

The dental care provider has said it would redeploy affected staff where possible to different areas of the business but a national shortages of dentists has been worsened by the NHS contract model.

An increased demand and complexity of care since the start of the Covid pandemic as well as inflation and higher energy prices have also been a contributing factor.

The Shorncliffe Road branch is understood to have 6,000 patients and 21 members of staff.

One patient who uses the practice described the situation as a "nightmare" and told KentOnline something needs to be done.

"It is a nightmare because we were already told we could no longer receive NHS treatment at the clinic, and now thousands of people are going to be searching for alternatives in Folkestone at the same time," they said.

"People will end up putting off routine check-ups, storing up issues which could get worse as a result.

"Something needs to be done to ensure everyone who wants it has access to NHS dentistry, but that looks far-fetched at the moment."

"This decision has not been taken lightly and closure is a last resort...."

Mark Allan, the general manager for Bupa Dental Care, said it is Bupa's priority to give patients the care they need and this decision has not been taken lightly.

"For the majority of affected practices, this decision will allow commissioners to procure local providers for the NHS contract, tailoring services and investment to the needs of the local community, thereby providing a better opportunity for patients to continue access to NHS dental services," he said.

"We fully understand the impact today’s 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."

The announcement follows recent reports that people have turned to performing dental procedures on themselves amid a backlog in dental care.

The British Dental Association said the service was "approaching the end of the road" unless the government and opposition outline a clear plan to reform and properly fund NHS dentistry.

Several Bupa practices across the UK are under review with some also set to merge. All the practices will remain open as usual in the meantime.

Bupa has declines to comment on the staff and patient numbers affected by the closure of the Shorncliffe Road site, but a spokesperson said patients will be written to about the changes taking place in the coming months.

It is understood that the Sandgate Road branch in Folkestone is remaining open.