DENTAL practice staff are hoping to boost business by opening up to thousands more NHS patients.

Sneyd Green Dental Practice, in Hanley Road, already has around 8,000 patients on its books, but has room for another 2,000.

Despite the number of people registered, appointments fell quiet in December and have not picked up since.

Staff think it is because people are reluctant to spend money during the credit crunch.

Practice manager Amanda Wallace said: “We are desperate for patients at the moment.

“We’ve got three NHS dentists and we want to get them nice and busy.

“I’m not sure why it has gone quiet but maybe as the credit crunch hits, people are trying to save money in every way they can.”

Receptionist Jeni Cooper said: “It has gone very, very quiet.

“We thought things would pick up after Christmas but it hasn’t.

“There aren’t that many appointments for next month. We don’t think people see the dentist as a priority during the credit crunch.

“But another factor is that a practice in Biddulph has been taking patients on so we think people who live closer to that one have been going there.

“We also had some patients on our register who were living in Wales, so we think another dentist has started taking NHS patients there.”

Georgious Michaelos , one of the practice’s three NHS dentists, said: “We’re very pleased to be able to offer more NHS spaces. At the moment we each see more than 30 patients a day but that could get taken up to more than 35 a day.”

As well as three NHS dentists, there is also a private dentist based at the practice.

Robert Abberley lives in Sneyd Green and has just signed up with the practice. The 33-year-old plumber said: “I believe it’s difficult to get an NHS dentist so I’m pleased.”

Sheila Evans and her husband Raymond, from Bradwell, have been patients at the practice for around 10 years.

The 72-year-old said: “We go for a check-up every six months. I’m a big believer in going to the dentist – you need to look after your health.

“I have noticed it has been a bit quieter and this is a good opportunity for patients to sign up.”

Anyone who wants to register at the practice should call 01782 219711.