Clifton Gardens Dental Practice in Goole has received extra investment – meaning it can take on thousands more patients.

The funding – secured by Dr Gopinath Thota – will open up the practice to about 2,500 new patients.

The practice, which increased capacity from one to two dentists in October last year, will now be able to recruit a third.

The funding, from NHS East Riding of Yorkshire, was from money set aside for growth in dentistry and all practices in the area were able to apply.

The 2009-10 budget has been finalised and 17 practices have received additional funds.

Dr Thota said: “We were delighted to be awarded the extra funding.

“We are excited to start the recruitment process and to get someone in place as soon as possible so we can welcome new patients.”

The extra funding for Clifton Gardens is the latest in a series of healthcare developments in Goole and follows the recent opening of Goole Health Centre, which provides GP facilities to more than 15,000 patients.

The new building is home to community and district nursing, dentistry, podiatry and the newly launched Neighbourhood Health Team, which covers Goole and Howdenshire.