More than 1,200 patients in Langholm, Scotland, have been informed that their practice is to close. The patients are now scrambling to find provisions elsewhere.

Gunning Practice will close in July 2023, at which point patients will be offered a private service 20 miles away in Annan. But for some of the patients, this is not financially feasible.

Grace Baxter has used the same dentist for the last 30 years. Speaking to BBC News, she explained she does not intend to pay for private care.

She said, “I'm just shocked by the whole thing.

"I was absolutely shocked when I got this letter - I can't afford that money, I just couldn't.

"It is only one inspection a year for just under £10, then you are almost double that if you want two inspections a year, which we regularly got free on the national health.”

Grace is 90 years old and has oral health concerns that require regular appointments. She said, "My teeth are decaying, I've got a partial denture on the top, but I'm not signing up with any private dentist. I'm just seeing what happens."

Helen Brooks, another resident, stated that she did not intend to go private either. Explaining her decision, Helen said, “I just couldn't afford to see one. I can't afford this extra pay out of money every month.

"You are trying to pay your bills, that's the most important thing just now - to pay your gas and electric and buy food."

Dennis Male, a local councillor, said he was “stunned” by the decision.

"People have been told they can't sign on at Lockerbie so they don't have an option for NHS anywhere," he said.

According to BBC News, the practice will close as a result of the loss of “a support allowance paid to the practice and recruitment difficulties.”

Dennis said patients willing to go private would face a 20-mile journey to Annan. There is no direct public transport route to the practice, so it would be problematic for many patients to attend.

"If you've just been getting your teeth done the last thing you want to be doing is sitting on a bus for an hour each way and the time in between," he said.

Valarie White, NHS Dumfries and Galloway's director of public health, commented, “The situation regarding access to NHS dental services in Dumfries and Galloway is a significant concern and one the board is taking very seriously.

"We continue work to encourage and support dentists to provide NHS general dental services and are working closely with Scottish government colleagues on these matters.

"However, lack of dentists coming to work in the region is a key issue, and challenges in dental workforce are being seen across the UK."

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