A Bury St Edmunds dentist will stop providing NHS services from the end of next month due to “difficulties with operational costs and the ongoing running of the practice”.

Mydentist, in Kings Mews, informed patients of its decision to stop providing NHS treatment in a letter last week.

The difficulties experienced by the practice has prevented it from operating sustainably, according to NHS England.

This leaves sister mydentist surgery, in Risbygate Street, as the only practice in the town which is currently accepting new adult patients.

In its letter to patients, the Kings Mews practice, which opened in 2009 to plug a gap in dentist health care in Bury St Edmunds, said the decision had “not been taken lightly” and apologised for no longer being able to provide NHS services.

The decision is a blow for NHS patients in Bury St Edmunds, who could now be forced to travel to neighbouring towns such as Stowmarket, Sudbury or Mildenhall to find a dentist.

A spokeman for NHS England said it was exploring options for dental services in the Bury St Edmunds area in the short and long-term.

Simon Evans, locality director for NHS England, Midlands and East (East), said: “The mydentist dental practice, based at 4 Kings Mews, Bury St Edmunds, will stop providing NHS dental services from February 28.

“The provider has experienced difficulties with their operational costs and the ongoing running of the dental practice, which has prevented it from operating sustainably.

“We are working closely with mydentist to ensure patients receive the care they need prior to the closure of the Kings Mews practice.

“NHS England is committed to ensuring everyone can access high quality dental care.

“We are actively exploring the options for dental services in the Bury St Edmunds area, both in the short and the longer term.”

NHS dentists currently accepting new adult patients in the county include The Churchyard in Mildenhall, Tavern Street Dental Practice and Bury House, both in Stowmarket, The Tooth Booth in Needham Market, The Croft Dental Surgery, The Dental Emporium, and The Perfect Smile Clinic, all in Sudbury, and Dentata Charta in Newmarket.