DELTA DENTAL OF NEW JERSEY STANDARD COVERAGE NOW INCLUDES NEW ORAL CANCER DETECTION TEST
-Free Oral Cancer Screenings in New York and New Jersey on April 7-

PARSIPPANY, NJ (March 29, 2005) - Delta Dental of New Jersey has approved coverage for a new procedure that dentists can use with their patients to assist in the prevention and early detection of oral cancer.

Called a "brush biopsy," the procedure uses newly developed technology designed to identify and analyze cancerous and precancerous cells. Using a brush biopsy, dentists may be able to identify and treat abnormal cells before they become cancerous, or detect the disease in its earliest stages. The simple procedure can be done during the course of a regular exam, and involves little or no patient discomfort.

"This year, over 8,000 people in the United States will die from oral cancer and more than 30,000 new cases will be diagnosed," says Dr. Scott Navarro, dental director, Delta Dental of New Jersey. Despite medical advances in the diagnosis and treatment for most cancers, the five-year survival rate for individuals with advanced forms of oral cancer has not improved in the last 40 years. But if detected early, survival rates from oral cancer dramatically increase. If detected in a precancerous stage, the disease may even be prevented.

In about 10 percent of patients, a dentist may notice a red or white spot in the patient's mouth during a routine examination. While most of these spots are harmless, some are not and may contain precancerous or even cancerous cells. If the dentist determines that the tissue needs to be tested, a brush biopsy is one method of doing so, and it can be performed in the dental office.

In the brush biopsy procedure, the dentist uses a small brush to collect tissue cells. Samples are then sent to a laboratory for testing and diagnosis. Delta Dental covers the procedure performed by the dentist and most medical plans reimburse for the laboratory analysis.

"Just as detecting the early signs of skin, cervical, prostate, colon and breast cancers saves countless lives each year, we anticipate this innovative technology covered by Delta Dental has the potential to provide similar benefits for oral cancer," Dr. Navarro adds. "By including the brush biopsy procedure in our standard benefits, we are strengthening our commitment to improving the oral, as well as overall health of our plan members and all people in New Jersey and Connecticut."

Visit www.deltadentalnj.com for more information about oral cancer, as well as other oral health related issues.

Sidebar: Free Oral Cancer Screenings on April 7, 2005

On Thursday, April 7, a dedicated group of hospitals and institutions located in New York City, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island and New Jersey will offer free oral cancer screenings to the public. This community service is sponsored by the Oral Cancer Consortium, a group of 29 metropolitan-area health care institutions and professional societies in the New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania area committed to educating local residents about the signs and risk factors associated with oral cancer.

Those who participate in the free screening will receive a comprehensive oral cancer examination administered by a dental professional. If in the examination, a suspicious looking red or white spot is found, the dental professional may administer a new brush biopsy test to assist in determining if there are any potentially precancerous or cancerous cells present or suggest another appropriate treatment option.

Find a Screening Site

New York and New Jersey area residents can find a complete list of the 35 locations offering free screenings by phoning 877-263-3401 or visiting www.oral-cancer.org.

The screening sites are:

MANHATTAN

NYU College of Dentistry
345 East 24th Street at 1st Avenue/Lobby Level
Screenings will be offered from 10 AM to 7 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 212-998-9889

New York County Dental Society
6 East 43rd Street (between Madison and 5th)
Screenings will be offered from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 212-573-8500

VA New York Harbor Healthcare System - New York Campus
423 East 23rd Street (between First Avenue and the FDR Drive)/Lobby Level
Screenings for veterans will be offered from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
For more information, please call 212-686-7500 ext. 7024

Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery (2 sites)
Presbyterian Hospital
Vanderbilt Clinic, 8th Floor
622 West 168th Street
Screenings will be offered from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 212-305-4599

Columbia University-Mobile Dental Center
125th Street & St. Nicholas Avenue (northeast corner)
Screenings will be offered from 11 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 7 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 212-305-1045

Chelsea Health Center
303 9th Avenue, 1st floor
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 212-360-5908

Gouverneur Healthcare Services
227 Madison Street, 5th Floor
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 212-360-5908

Harlem Hospital Center
Dental Center
16 West 137th Street
Women's Pavilion, 2nd Floor
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 3 PM
No appointments necessary
For more information, please call 212-360-5908

Metropolitan Hospital Center
1901 First Avenue, 2nd Floor, Room 2D6
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 212-360-5908

Smith Communicare Health Center-Mobile Dental Van
60 Madison Street
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 4 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information, please call 212-238-8042

Washington Heights Health Center
600 West 168th Street, First Floor
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information please call 718-579-6724

BRONX

St. Barnabas Hospital
Department of Dentistry
183rd Street and Third Avenue
1st Floor Mills Building
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
For more information call 718-960-6628

Union Community Health Center (2 sites)
2021 Grand Concourse, 4th Floor
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
For more information call 718-960-3744

Union Community Health Center
260 East 188th Street, 1st Floor
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
For more information call 718-220-2020 ext. 9315

Bronx Park Medical/Dental Pavilion
2016 Bronxdale Avenue, Suite 303
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
For more information call 718-792-7972

BROOKLYN

Bushwick Health Center
335 Central Avenue, 3rd Floor
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 718-520-8866

Coney Island Hospital
2201 Neptune Avenue
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information, please call 718-332-5514

Cumberland Diagnostic & Treatment Center
100 North Portland Avenue, 3rd Floor
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 718-332-5514

East New York Diagnostic & Treatment Center
2094 Pitkin Avenue, 2nd Floor
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 718-332-5514

Fort Greene Health Center
295 Flatbush Avenue Extension, First Floor
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 718-332-5514

Kings County Hospital Center
451 Clarkson Avenue, E Building, 1st Floor, Room E 1106
Screenings will be offered from  9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 718-332-5514

New York Methodist Hospital
506 6th Street (Park Slope)
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 3 PM
For more information, please call 718-780-5410

Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center
(Support provided by the Second District Dental Society)
760 Broadway, Lobby-2C-320
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 718-963-8308

QUEENS

Corona Health Center
34-33 Junction Blvd., First Floor
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 718-520-8866

Elmhurst Hospital Center
79-01 Broadway, Building H-2-82
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 718-520-8866

Queens Hospital Center
82-68 164th Street, T Building, 2nd Floor, Room 2A3
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary
For more information call 718-520-8866

LONG ISLAND

Stony Brook University, School of Dental Medicine
Dental Care Center
South Campus, Sullivan Hall
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 6 PM
For more information call 631-632-8989

Long Island Jewish Medical Center
270-05 76th Avenue
New Hyde Park, New York
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 4 PM
For more information call 718-470-7110

NEW JERSEY

Jersey Shore Medical Center - Dental Clinic
71 Davis Avenue
Neptune, New Jersey
Screenings will be offered from 1 PM to 4 PM, by appointment only
Call for an appointment at 732-776-4212

Mountainside Hospital/Atlantic Health System
1 Bayview Avenue
Montclair, NJ
Screenings will be offered from 10 AM to 12 Noon and 1 PM to 4 PM
Appointments suggested
For more information, please call Rosalie Wannat at 973-429-6888

Morristown Memorial Hospital
100 Madison Avenue, Morristown, NJ
Screenings will be offered from 1 PM to 4 PM
Call for an appointment at 973-971-4059

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Department of Dentistry, Building D, 9th Floor
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace, Newark, NJ
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM
No appointments are necessary

St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center
703 Main Street, Ground Floor-Dental Facility
Paterson, New Jersey
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4 PM
For more information call 973-754-2294

St. Vincent's Nursing Home
315 East Lindsley Road
Cedar Grove, New Jersey
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4 PM
For more information call 973-754-2294

UMDNJ New Jersey Dental School (2 Sites)
UMDNJ Dental School
110 Bergen Street, University Heights
Newark, NJ
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 4 PM
For more information call 973-972-6679

UMDNJ Dental School
13 Somerdale Square
Somerdale, New Jersey
Screenings will be offered from 9 AM to 4 PM
For more information call 973-972-6679

STATEN ISLAND

Staten Island University Hospital
Department of Dentistry
475 Seaview Avenue
Screenings will be offered from 5 PM to 7 PM
For more information, please call 718-226-9080

About Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc.
Delta Dental 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 offers seamless dental benefits administration for employer groups throughout the country and the largest network of credentialed dentists in the nation. For more information visit us on the Web at www.deltadentalnj.com.