RUMFORD - In an effort to meet growing demand for dental services in the region, a Community Dental clinic was opened Friday at the River Valley Technology Center.

The nonprofit's first dentist, Dr. Larry Jacoby, is one of only seven dentists serving in the U.S. Public Health Service. He was dressed in a spit-and-polish semi-military uniform at the clinic's unveiling.

As a member of that organization, Jacoby joins other dentists and health-care providers who are assigned to work in under-served communities, he said. The U.S. Public Health Service is headed by the U.S. surgeon general.

Jacoby, who lives in Industry but is from Oregon, has been a dentist for the Community Dental clinic in nearby Farmington for three years. He will serve River Valley residents until September, at which time another dentist is expected to be recruited, and Jacoby will be reassigned.

Only four dentists serve about 17,000 people in the River Valley. But the equipment used to provide dental work at the clinic is the most modern available.

"The equipment is extremely advanced," Jacoby said. "There are electronic medical records; the X-rays are digital."

Dr. Jerry Cohen, who has a practice in Mexico, is one of the four area dentists. He has provided dental care for 37 years, and helped bring Community Dental to the River Valley.

"I'm very supportive of the clinic. It's wonderful, with the best and most modern equipment," he said.

Rumford is the sixth Community Dental site in the state. Others are located in Farmington, Lewiston, Sanford, Saco and Portland.

The clinics serve MaineCare and Medicaid-eligible people, but services are available to anyone on a sliding fee scale.

In addition to staffing the clinic, an outreach component goes into schools and nursing homes to provide dental services, said Lisa Cavanaugh, executive director of Community Dental, based in Portland.

Among the local partners that helped open the clinic is the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition.

"We realized many years ago that there was a need for dental services," said Patricia Duguay, director of the coalition. She said she was thrilled with the opening of the clinic earlier in the week.

So, too, was John Welsh, chief executive officer of Rumford Hospital, another partner.

"So many groups came together for this," he said.

Not only will the clinic provide dental care, but it will also make referrals for medical and mental health services, he said.

Funding started with a $25,000 seed grant from Brookfield Power, then a number of grants came through.

Right now the clinic employs seven people. When it is fully staffed, that number will rise to about a dozen.