HEALTH bosses are looking to recruit dentists in Taunton to treat patients on the NHS after a practice announced it is closing.

The practice team at {my}dentist in The Crescent has written to patients telling them it will no longer offer NHS or private dental services after next month.

People on the company's books are being advised to sign up with other the two {my}dentists in the town - in Canon Street and Cheddon Road - or alternative practices that provide NHS services.

A letter from the team to NHS patients says: "The reason for this decision is a result of ongoing running costs which has prevented the practice from operating sustainably.

"This decision has not been taken lightly and we are very sorry that we are no longer able to provide NHS dental services at this practice."

It adds: "We would advise contacting alternative practices as soon as possible to ensure you can continue to access NHS dental services after the practice closes.

"It is anticipated that all open courses of treatment will be completed by October 31 and we will be contacting you shortly to arrange appointments.

"Should any courses of treatment not be completed by this date, then treatment will be transferred to one of our other practices in Taunton."

An NHS England spokeswoman said {mydentist} at the Crescent recently handed in its NHS contract and existing NHS dental provision in the Taunton area is currently being reviewed - you can take part in the survey here.

She said: "We are absolutely committed to offering NHS dentistry to people in the Taunton area.

"We are working through the options for replacing NHS services at the Crescent practice."

The spokeswoman added: "For the long term, we are considering the options for the Taunton area.

"There are practices accepting new NHS patients in the Taunton and surrounding area and we suggest patients contact the Somerset Dental Helpline in the first instance or NHS 111.

"If patients require urgent dental treatment, they can still contact the practice up until October 31."