VANBRUNT NAMED VICE CHAIRMAN OF DELTA DENTAL PLANS ASSOCIATION

PARSIPPANY, NJ (July 31, 2000) – Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey President and CEO Walter VanBrunt has been named Vice Chairman of the Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA), the nation’s largest national network of independent not-for-profit dental service corporations. VanBrunt, who was elected during the association’s annual meeting in Colorado Springs last month, will serve a two-year term as the Vice Chairman.

VanBrunt was also named to the DDPA Executive Committee during the annual meeting. In his new positions, VanBrunt will assist in the supervision of the DDPA’s overall operations. The Delta Dental system covers 35 million Americans and includes the participation of more than two-thirds of the nation’s dentists.

Named president and CEO of Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey in 1998, VanBrunt has maintained the company’s position as the state’s largest dental benefits carrier. Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey provides coverage to more than one million people in New Jersey and Connecticut through a participating network of over 7,000 dentists. VanBrunt joined Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey in 1993 as senior vice president after more than 25 years in the insurance industry.

During VanBrunt’s tenure, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey has been a major supporter of many philanthropic efforts through the Delta Dental Endowment Association of New Jersey. The Endowment Association supports the communities of New Jersey through various programs, such as Captain Supertooth, educational grants, and PANDA (Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness), as well as dental clinics that serve needy patients throughout the state.

"There has been marked improvement in our nation’s oral health in the past 20 years. This is due in large part to dental plans that educate people on the importance of proper oral care and afford them the opportunity to undergo regular dental exams," said VanBrunt. "Delta Dental has been a leader in providing dental plans during this time and my goal as a board member will be to provide plans that will allow these positive trends to continue."

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s leading and largest dental benefits carrier, providing coverage to more than one million people through contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut. The Delta Dental Plan system is a national network of independently operated, not-for-profit dental service corporations specializing in providing dental benefits programs for employee groups throughout the country.