DELTA DENTAL MAKES DONATION TO ST. JOSEPH'S REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER TO LAUNCH MOBILE DENTAL VAN PROGRAM

PARSIPPANY, NJ (November 12, 2001) – The Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation, Inc. (Delta Dental) has made a financial donation to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson for the launch of a mobile dental program geared towards improving the oral health of underserved area residents. The funds will be used to operate a van, purchase dental equipment, and hire staff to provide education, screenings for children, and dental care to those who otherwise would not have access to it. The program was initiated as part of Delta Dental's ongoing commitment to programs that aid the needy, educate the community, and assist worthwhile organizations.

St. Joseph's mobile dental van will be used to administer general dentistry services such as cleanings and fillings while also providing dental education. Rebecca Reed, DMD, MPA, Director of Dental Outreach, will travel with the van to various sites, four days a week. Locations include St. Mary's Church in Pompton Lakes, Inglesia Adventista Church in Passaic, St. Paul's Church in Paterson, Strengthen Our Sisters Woman's Shelter in West Milford, the Hispanic Multipurpose Center in Paterson, the Comprehensive Care Center in Paterson, and St. Vincent's Nursing Home in Cedar Grove.

"Delta Dental's generous donation will allow us to positively impact the health of those in our community who are either unable to travel or unable to afford oral care," said Dr. Reed. "The new program will allow us to see and treat hundreds of patients each year that we would otherwise be unable to provide care for."

Citing a disparity in the oral health of populations, based on racial and economic factors, the Surgeon General has called upon both public and private agencies to assist in providing care and information to those in need. Statistics show that the uninsured are 2.5 times less likely to receive dental care and three times as likely to need it as those with insurance.

"Delta Dental has recognized St. Joseph's reputation for caring for the underserved," said Walter Van Brunt, President and CEO, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey. "Our decision to affiliate with them to launch this program was based on the ability to reach the greatest number of deserving individuals as possible with our donation."

Delta Dental has initiated and supported a number of philanthropic endeavors that benefit New Jersey-based corporations, schools, and individuals. Their efforts have included dental clinics, educational grants, holiday food and gift drives, dental seminars, and the Captain Supertooth program developed for the state's elementary schools.

Delta Dental established the Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation in 1986. Its mission includes promoting and assisting educational projects devoted to the enhancement of dental health, research programs designed to increase public awareness of the general benefits of good health, and to improve dental health through the science of dentistry. Each year, the Delta Dental Foundation provides financial support to various organizations throughout the state.

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. For more information visit us on the Web at www.deltadentalnj.com.