DELTA DENTAL URGES OLDER ADULTS TO MAINTAIN REGULAR DENTAL VISITS TO AID IN THE EARLY DETECTION OF ORAL CANCER

PARSIPPANY, NJ (April 21, 2006) – Oral cancer is most often diagnosed in people over the age of 40, posing a serious health concern for older adults. Most at risk are those who regularly smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol. Only 50 percent of people who are diagnosed with late stage cancer will be alive in five years. However, if identified in its early stages, oral cancer has an 80 to 90 percent cure rate. The best method of early detection is through routine oral examinations. To help those without dental insurance keep up with regular dental visits as they age, dental access plans, such as Delta Dental Patient Direct, offer an affordable alternative.

It is recommended to immediately visit a dentist or physician for the following signs and symptoms of oral cancer: a sore, lump or thick patch in the mouth, lip, or throat; a white or red patch in the mouth; a sore that bleeds easily or does not heal; a feeling that something is caught in the throat; difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaw or tongue; numbness in the tongue or other areas of the mouth; swelling of the jaw that causes dentures to fit poorly or become uncomfortable; a change in the way the teeth fit together; and pain in one ear without hearing loss.

"As people age it becomes more and more important to maintain oral health, but many older adults and senior citizens lack the financial resources to keep up with the costs of dental care," explained Scott Navarro, D.D.S., dental director of Delta Dental of New Jersey. "This is an unfortunate situation because routine dental visits become increasingly important as people grow older to prevent or treat gum disease, provide denture maintenance, detect overall health problems, and offer regular oral cancer screenings."

For those who do not have dental insurance, dental access plans are available to help make dental care more affordable. For example, Delta Dental of New Jersey now offers a dental access plan called Patient Direct. The plan offers New Jersey individuals and families without dental insurance access to a large network of participating Delta Dental dentists who agree to provide member patients dental care at fees no higher than a set fee schedule. Savings of up to 40 percent may be possible for general services such as routine cleanings, fillings, x-rays, dentures and more.

For more information about Delta Dental's dental access plan, Patient Direct, and to become a member, visit www.deltadentalnj.com or call 877-TOOTH-07.

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 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.