DELTA DENTAL PROMOTES TWO EXECUTIVES TO KEY POSITIONS

PARSIPPANY, NJ (February 20, 2003) – Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey (Delta Dental), New Jersey's and Connecticut's leading dental benefits carrier, has announced two executive promotions. Diane Belle has been named vice president of Corporate Communications and Vince Farinella has been named vice president of Flagship Dental Plans.

Diane Belle joined Delta Dental on July 3, 1989, as manager of Corporate Communications and has subsequently held positions as director and assistant vice president. Most recently, she has led the company's Internet and E-Business Development projects and has also served on the Board of Trustees of the Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation. With her promotion, Belle takes on the responsibility of directing daily activities for the Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation, including grant development and management, in addition to continuing her current responsibilities in Corporate Communications and Internet applications.

Vince Farinella joined Delta Dental as a Benefits Services representative on February 22, 1988, and subsequently served as a supervisor in Benefits Services, manager of Professional Relations, manager of Product Development and most recently as assistant vice president of Flagship Dental Plans. In his new position, Farinella will be handling duties related to strategic initiatives for Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey while continuing his directorial role at Flagship.

"These promotions underscore the significant contributions that Diane and Vince have made to Delta Dental," said Walter VanBrunt, president and CEO. "I am confident that they will each continue their leadership roles, as members of the senior management team, in helping grow the company's business in the future."

Diane Belle holds a B.A. from Montclair State University and an M.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has served on the Corporate Communications, Healthcare Reform, and Internet Committees for Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA) and is a trustee of the Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation. She also served on the Board of Directors of Special Olympics New Jersey for six years. Belle currently resides in Whippany, New Jersey.

Vince Farinella holds a B.S. from William Paterson College (University) and earned the designation of Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS). He also holds an M.A. in Healthcare Administration from Seton Hall University where he is an Adjunct Professor in the Graduate Department of Public & Healthcare Administration. Farinella has served on the Professional Relations Committee for DDPA and currently co-chairs the DeltaCare USA Committee for DeltaUSA. He resides in Passaic, New Jersey.

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.