ME · Healthcare shortage profile
Cumberland County, ME
Home to 303,069 residents, with 7 active HRSA shortage designations.
- Active HPSAs
- 7
- Population
- 303,069
- Peak shortage score
- 23.0
- MUA Index
- 54.0
Heavy-burden verdict
According to current HRSA Data Warehouse records, Cumberland County carries a heavier shortage burden than most US counties - 7 active HPSA designations, more than 70% of the 3,289 real US counties, with primary care the deepest gap.
- 7
- Active HPSA designations
- 2
- Dental shortages
- 23
- Peak severity score (of 26)
- Top 30%
- US counties by volume
Cumberland County vs. every real US county
Total active HPSA designations, including counties with none
7 Top 30% higher than 70% of 3,289 real US counties
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more real US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source HRSA Data Warehouse, designated HPSAs · 2026
State peer position. Cumberland County falls in the lower half of ME counties by active-designation volume, at rank 13 of 16. Ties share a rank; the comparison uses the same current designated records as the national chart.
Healthcare shortage designations from HRSA. FIPS: 23005. Population: 303,069.
Single high-priority discipline
Cumberland County's only high-priority (≥17) footprint is dental care
Current HRSA Data Warehouse rows attribute 2 active dental care designations to Cumberland County , with a peak score of 23.0. Other care categories may still be designated here, but none of them clear HRSA's high-priority score line of 17 on the current release, NHSC and related instruments concentrate on the dental care records.
Medically Underserved Area
Peak severity scores
Current designated records only. Scores range 0–25 (primary/mental health), 0–26 (dental). Higher = greater need.
Highest-severity HPSA designations
All 7 active (designated) HPSAs in Cumberland County, ranked by HRSA shortage score.
| Name | Type | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Portland Community Health Center | dental | 23.0 |
| LI-Fryeburg SA | primary_care | 16.0 |
| Portland Community Health Center | mental_health | 14.0 |
| LI - Parsonsfield | dental | 14.0 |
| Sebago Lake SA | primary_care | 11.0 |
| Porter SA | primary_care | 10.0 |
| Portland Community Health Center | primary_care | 10.0 |
Heavy-burden reading for Cumberland County
Dental care carries Cumberland County's deepest shortage reading, 23.0 on HRSA's 0–26 dental scale, past the 17-point line HRSA uses to open National Health Service Corps placement and enhanced Medicare reimbursement. Primary care reads 16.0 of 25; Mental health reads 14.0 of 25. The county also sits inside a Medically Underserved Area, indexed at 54.0, and the lower the index, the greater the measured need.
Volume places Cumberland County above 70% of real US counties (7 active designations: 4 primary care, 1 mental health, 2 dental). Peak severity on the current designated set is 23.0. The table on this page lists the highest-severity records first so a reader can see which named facilities, geographies, or population groups drive that burden without treating the county total as a personal appointment forecast.
Cumberland County falls in the lower half of ME counties by active-designation volume, at rank 13 of 16. Heavy-burden counties are where NHSC placement, Community Health Center grant geography, and related federal instruments concentrate; eligibility still follows the designated area and provider type, not the county boundary alone.
Acting on Cumberland County's high-priority dental care
Cumberland County's shortage designations unlock specific federal programs and comparisons, here is how to act on them.
- Cumberland County's high-priority dental care designations are where NHSC placement geography concentrates, estimate the award and service terms. NHSC estimator
- See how the county's dental care burden compares with the rest of ME before drawing conclusions from a single score. ME overview
- Check the provider-to-population ratio behind an HPSA score against HRSA's designation thresholds. HPSA ratio checker
HPSA scores describe shortage severity within HRSA's designation criteria, not the availability of any individual provider. For a specific appointment, contact a provider or your insurer; use HRSA's current tools to verify a designation.
Counties With a Similar Dental Shortage Score
Other U.S. counties whose active HRSA dental HPSA score is closest to Cumberland County's 23.0. This compares the designation score only, not local appointment availability or care quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cumberland County a Medically Underserved Area?
Yes, Cumberland County is designated as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) by HRSA. The MUA Index for this county is 54.0. MUA designation qualifies the area for enhanced federal funding and provider incentive programs.
How many healthcare shortage areas does Cumberland County have?
Cumberland County, ME has 7 Health Professional Shortage Area designations: 4 in primary care, 1 in mental health, and 2 in dental care, according to HRSA data.
What does Cumberland County's HPSA score of 23.0 mean?
23.0 in dental care clears 17, HRSA's high-priority line, which is what makes providers here eligible for NHSC placement and enhanced reimbursement.
What healthcare providers are needed in Cumberland County?
Based on HRSA shortage designations, Cumberland County needs additional providers in primary care (family physicians, internists, pediatricians), mental health (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers), and dental care (dentists, dental hygienists). The National Health Service Corps offers loan repayment and scholarship programs for providers who serve in designated shortage areas.
Which federal programs do Cumberland County's designations unlock?
Cumberland County's 7 active designations open NHSC placement, Community Health Center grants, the Medicare bonus and J-1 waivers, but eligibility follows the designated area and provider type, not the county line.
How does Cumberland County compare to other counties in ME?
Cumberland County has 7 total HPSA designations with a peak shortage score of 23.0. You can compare shortage levels across all counties in ME on the state overview page, or view national county rankings to see where Cumberland County stands relative to the rest of the country.
Next read: Dental Shortage in America · ME state overview · NHSC loan repayment
Source: HRSA Data Warehouse. FIPS: 23005. PlainHealthAccess is not affiliated with HRSA or any government agency.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the HRSA Data Warehouse. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.