DELTA DENTAL FOUNDATION GRANTS OVER $700,000 TO SUPPORT ORAL HEALTH CARE FOR THE UNDERSERVED

- The largest grant sum ever given by the Foundation -

PARSIPPANY, NJ (December 17, 2007) - The Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation announces it will donate more than $700,000 to 19 community organizations and dental clinics throughout New Jersey and Connecticut in 2008. This will be the largest year’s donations Delta Dental’s Foundation has given to help treat the underserved since its inception in 1986. The money will be used to fund dental clinics and subsidize dental care for underserved children and families, developmentally disabled, and senior citizen populations.

“Delta Dental is proud that in 2008 we will give back to the community more than ever before,” said Gene F. Napoliello, D.D.S., president of the Foundation. “Every year we choose the organizations and healthcare facilities that will best use the grants to make dental care accessible to those in need.”

The Foundation’s mission includes promoting and assisting educational projects devoted to the enhancement of dental health, research programs designed to increase public awareness of the general benefits of good oral health, and improving dental health through the science of dentistry. Each year, the Foundation awards $1 million to the community in the form of grants. Three-quarters of that budget is allocated to provide access to dental care for the underserved and dental education throughout New Jersey and Connecticut.

Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation 2008 Grant Initiatives:

• East Orange Health Dept. Dental Clinic (East Orange, NJ)

• Eric B. Chandler Health Center (New Brunswick, NJ)

• Eva's Village (Paterson, NJ)

• Henry J. Austin Health Center (Trenton, NJ)

• Hunterdon County Dental Program (Hunterdon County, NJ)

• Jewish Renaissance Medical Center (Quitman Street School-Based Dental Clinic in Newark, NJ)

• JFK Medical Center Dental Clinic (Edison, NJ)

• Kids Corp. (Newark, NJ)

• Matheny Medical and Educational Center Dental Clinic (Peapack, NJ)

• Monmouth County Head Start (Asbury Park, Freehold, Howell, Keyport, Neptune, Red Bank, NJ)

• Monmouth Family Health Center (Long Branch, NJ)

• Morristown Memorial Health Foundation: Senior Smiles and developmentally disabled dental programs (Morristown, NJ)

• New Jersey Foundation of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities (state-wide program)

• Ocean Health Initiatives (Lakewood, NJ)

• Paterson Public Schools Dental Clinic (Paterson, NJ)

• Virtua Health Dental Clinic (Camden, NJ)

• Zufall Health Center (Dover, NJ)

• Hill Health Corp.: K. Brennan School-Based Dental Clinic (New Haven, CT)

• New Britain Head Start (New Britain, CT)

“This is the first time we will be partnering with Head Start programs to deliver dental care to the children in that program,” said Dr. Napoliello. “We chose two programs that best demonstrated their commitment to the oral health of their students.”

In 2007, Board members and staff visited each new program, as part of an ongoing schedule of site visits to all grantees.

“I am always impressed with the dignified manner with which the clinic staff treats their patients,” said Diane Belle, Foundation Trustee and Delta Dental of New Jersey Vice President, Corporate Communications. “In addition to the objective outcomes that we evaluate, we visit each program to ensure that the programs are truly up and running and that the clinics exhibit a welcoming environment to their patients.”

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.

About Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation
Delta Dental established the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation in 1986. Its mission includes promoting and assisting educational projects devoted to the enhancement of dental health, research programs designed to increase public awareness of the general benefits of good health, and to improve dental health through the science of dentistry. Each year, the Delta Dental Foundation provides financial support to various organizations throughout New Jersey and Connecticut.