Community Dental says it plans to close two of its six Maine locations.
The Rumford Center and the Monson dental clinic will both close on November 23.
According to Community Dental, the closures are the result of chronic workforce shortages in dentistry – made more challenging by the pandemic – which has left long-term unfilled vacancies of essential positions at both locations.
Despite aggressive recruitment efforts, Community Dental says it has been unsuccessful in hiring qualified hygienists and dentists to staff these two rural practices.
The Rumford Center has been without a dentist since November 2021 and the Monson clinic has been unable to fill its hygienist opening.
Community Dental is working to notify their patients, complete any unfinished dental treatments, and refer patients to dental providers in their area.
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Community Dental will continue to operate its four remaining centers in Portland, Biddeford, Lewiston, and Farmington.
The Rumford Center opened in 2008. Over the years, the center has provided care to nearly 2,000 patients annually.
Community Dental opened the Monson dental clinic in 2020. In 2021, Community Dental’s clinic at the Monson Health Center provided care to almost 200 patients.