Patients have been left scrambling to find alternative providers after two Norfolk dental practices suddenly closed down.

The surgeries, in Holt and Wells-next-the-Sea, were run by the Compass Clinic.

The firm called in administrators earlier this month and closed their doors unexpectedly this week.

Yasmin Lovelock, 32, from Great Snoring, took her daughter to her 3pm appointment on Tuesday only to find that the practice shut.

"I haven't heard a thing from the dentist," she said.

"I even received a message reminding me of my daughter's appointment the day before."

Yasmin Lovelock said she will try everything to find a new dentist for her and her children.Yasmin Lovelock said she will try everything to find a new dentist for her and her children. (Image: Yasmin Lovelock)
Ms Lovelock and her family have been with the practice since 2019.

She is currently waiting to have her own root canal treatment completed.

"It's very frustrating. I'm quite concerned about finding a new practice as it’s near impossible to find one. 

"I will be doing everything I can to find them an NHS practice even if it means travelling," she added.

A spokesman from FRP Advisory confirmed that the business was appointed a joint administrator last month.

Norfolk currently enjoys the unhappy distinction of being one of the worst 'dental deserts' in the country, with the highest ratio of patients to dentists.

The closure of the clinics has heightened fears among councillors and the area's new MP, Liberal Democrat Steffan Aquarone.

MP Steffan Aquarone has already written to the administrator of the dental practice.MP Steffan Aquarone has already written to the administrator of the dental practice. (Image: Owen Sennitt)
"I immediately wrote to the administrator who told me they were working hard to try to save the practices," he said.

Sarah Tribe, the Holt mayor, said that the town council was also worried about the closure of the clinic at Kelling Hospital. 

"Dentistry in north Norfolk is now at crisis point. Something urgently needs to be done to address this issue," she said. 

Greg Hewitt, Wells town council clerk, said: "The closure of the Compass Clinic has had a massive impact on the people of Wells and the surrounding area.

"I am not aware of another NHS dentist in north Norfolk that is taking on patients and many people are now without access to a dentist."