Dr. Thomas Rice sits in the new Damariscotta location of his practice, Midcoast Orthodontics, Friday, May 18. (Jessica Picard photo)
“Care didn’t skip a beat,” Dr. Thomas Rice, owner of Midcoast Orthodontics, said of the time between losing his Newcastle location to a fire and opening a new location at 441 Main St. in Damariscotta.
Rice’s local practice was displaced when the Newcastle building caught fire in September 2017.
The building, at 50 Main St. in Newcastle, contained three apartments along with the orthodontist office. Dr. Robert DeWitt Jr., a retired orthodontist, owns the building and had been leasing his old office to Rice since his retirement about six years ago.
There were no injuries in the fire, but “we lost everything, except for one X-ray unit,” Rice said.
Rice, who also has offices in Bath and Brunswick, saw his Newcastle patients in Bath until the new location was found.
“People were very kind,” Rice said of those who lent a helping hand after the fire.
Rice started seeing patients at the new location Feb. 8, and said feedback has been very positive.
“People really appreciate the location. It’s very familiar to everyone,” he said.
Rice said his only regret about moving was that Lincoln Academy students used to be able to walk to his office for their appointments.
“But you see enough of them walking to Dunkin’ Donuts,” across the street from the new location, Rice said.
The equipment is all new, except for the X-ray machine that survived the fire. The machine had been purchased right before the fire.
“We are able to do everything here,” Rice said.
Rice described the practice as having the “same caring treatment” in a more efficient space, with a lot of natural light and more room.
The Damariscotta location is currently only open on Thursday, however, Rice said he is looking to have an associate at the practice so more days can be added.
“I’m thrilled to be here,” Rice said.
For more information, call Midcoast Orthodontics’ Damariscotta office at 563-8756 or go to midcoastorthodontics.com.
