The University of New England's College of Dental Medicine in Portland, the only dental school in Maine, is increasing its capacity to meet demand for dental services, particularly in rural parts of the state, mainepublic.org reported July 5.
The University of New England's College of Dental Medicine currently enrolls 64 students per year and will add eight students per year by fall 2023, according to the report.
"Some practices, it's into next year to be seen as a new patient. Particularly a new MaineCare patient, the waitlist can be quite long," said interim Dean Nici Kimmes, DDS. "So the need is definitely there."
The Finance Authority of Maine has a program offering loan payment assistance to certain graduates pursuing a dental career in Maine, the report said.