Patients have been left worrying about their dental care in Builth Wells after a dentist announced it will be closing at the end of the month.

MyDentist, which is based at the Glan Irfon Health and Social Care Centre in Builth Wells, sent a letter to all of its patients advising they switch to the MyDentist service in Crickhowell following the closure.

The NHS dental service, which is based at the community health centre which replaced Builth Wells Cottage Hospital in 2013, is believed to have been in difficulty for a while.

MyDentist, which will be closing its doors for the last time on Friday, August 31, is understood to have struggled to hire another dentist resulting in various appointments being cancelled.

Brecon and Radnorshire AM Kirsty Williams said: "This is terrible news for dental patients in Builth Wells and the surrounding communities.

"I have arranged a meeting with Powys Teaching Health Board’s dental director, which is taking place this week, and will be raising this with them as a matter of urgency.

"I have also raised the issue with the cabinet secretary for health in the Welsh Government."

The Welsh Liberal Democrat said: "It is vital we find short and long-term solutions to the dentistry issues we face here in mid Wales and I will be working with all sides to ensure those solutions are found."

Patients who use the service have also checked the services for other nearby towns such as Brecon, Llandrindod Wells and Rhayader but the surgeries are mostly full with lengthy waiting lists.

The Brecon and Radnorshire MP Chris Davies has also voiced his concern at the MyDentist closure following letters from his constituents.

"I have been contacted by numerous constituents who have raised concerns over the proposed closure of the My Dentist, dental practice in Builth Wells."

In a statement, which he published on Facebook yesterday, the Conservative said: "The practice says they will no longer be providing dental services with effect from 31st of August 2018 and will cease providing NHS services.

Brecon and Radnorshire already suffers from an extreme lack of dental practices and this is another blow to a service we desperately need more of, not less of.

I have written to Powys Teaching Health Board about this issue. Wales is majorly struggling to attract dentists and dental nurses to live and work here and this must change. Many constituents are paying extortionate fees privately or are travelling across the border and long distances because they have no other choice.

"This is wrong and I will write to the Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services to urge the Welsh Government to take action and resolve this before it gets any worse. Action must be taken now."

According to the NHS Direct Wales website, MyDentist is one of only two NHS dental surgeries in Builth Wells - the other being the Cloverly Dental Practice on Garth Road.

A spokeswoman from the practice said: "In common with a number of other dental practices, long-standing difficulties recruiting full time dentists and increased running costs have made it necessary to close the practice.

"This decision has not been taken lightly and we are doing everything we can to minimise disruption and we are working closely with the local health board.

"Registered patients with open courses of treatment will have their dental care completed or appropriately referred before 31st August.

"All patients have been informed of the closure, and we have provided guidance on finding an alternative dental practice by visiting www.wales.nhs.uk.”

A full list of nearby NHS dental practices is available on the NHS Direct Wales website.