DELTA DENTAL PLAN OF NEW JERSEY RECEIVES 'AA-' RATING FROM STANDARD & POOR'S FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

PARSIPPANY, NJ (July 22, 2002) – Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey (Delta Dental) has just completed Standard & Poor's most comprehensive analysis and received an AA- counterparty credit and financial strength rating for the third straight year. Delta Dental is New Jersey and Connecticut's leading dental benefits carrier and the strong S&P rating confirms that it is an attractive alternative for businesses looking to improve benefits packages through the implementation of a dental plan.

Based upon the analysis, Standard & Poor's predicts a stable outlook for Delta Dental, citing its extremely strong capitalization, excellent earnings, and good business position as major rating factors. Delta Dental has also been designated a Security Circle insurer, which means that it voluntarily underwent Standard & Poor's comprehensive analysis and was assigned a rating in one of the top four categories for financial security.

In the analysis, Standard & Poor's noted that Delta Dental is extremely well capitalized, giving the company a capital adequacy ratio of 474% as of year-end 2001. This indicates that the not-for-profit dental benefits carrier clearly has the financial capacity to meet policy holder obligations. It was also noted that Delta Dental is well positioned for continued growth, anticipating a 10% increase in membership in 2002.

"Affirmation of our financial stability, from a premier independent organization such as Standard and Poor's, is especially significant in today's economy," said Delta Dental President and CEO Walter VanBrunt. "This validation reflects our commitment to a sound business philosophy based on the principles of value and quality. The fact that we've received the same high rating for three years in a row is meaningful to our employees, current and prospective clients, and the network of dentists we do business with."

The rating is another reason for companies to contract with Delta Dental for employee dental benefits. In addition to enjoying the security of partnering with a financially stable company, companies that contract with Delta Dental may improve employee retention and workplace efficacy by offering employees access to the nation's largest dental network.

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s and Connecticut's leading 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.