DELTA DENTAL TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK

PARSIPPANY, NJ (September 29, 2003) – Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey (Delta Dental) will observe National Customer Service Week 2003 with a series of events at their Parsippany headquarters. The national theme of this year's celebration, which will take place October 6-10, is "Partners in Service." A strong commitment to customer service is one of the primary reasons Delta Dental continues to maintain its position as the leading dental benefits carrier in New Jersey and Connecticut.

"Customer service professionals face a variety of challenges each day," said Walter VanBrunt, president and CEO. "They are the most important human contact a customer will have with our company, so we are pleased to formally recognize their contribution to our success with an annual celebration."

Delta Dental's recognition of National Customer Service Week will begin on October 6 with a bagel breakfast. Training and activities that focus on customer service are also planned. "Delta Dental recognizes the value in rewarding employee contribution," said VanBrunt. "We take this opportunity to raise company-wide awareness of the important role that customer service plays in the high renewal rates we enjoy each year. It's a nice opportunity to say `thank you` and also have some fun with the various activities planned."

As part of National Customer Service Week, Delta Dental will also show its appreciation to clients by including a special message of thanks as part of this month's billing process.

About National Customer Service Week
National Customer Service Week, which was first celebrated in 1988, is an event devoted to recognizing the importance of customer service and honoring those in the profession. In 1992, the U.S. Congress proclaimed National Customer Service Week a nationally recognized event, and it is now celebrated annually by thousands of companies in North America.

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.