Agency Contact: Colleen Conover SGW 973-263-5197 Nancy Sergeant 973-334-6666

Client Contact: Diane Belle Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey 973-285-4058

KEEP SENIOR SMILES HEALTHY WITH PROPER DENTAL CARE IN LATER YEARS
-Dental Access Plans Now Offer New Jersey Seniors an Affordable Option to Expensive Dental Insurance-

PARSIPPANY, NJ (January 12, 2006) – As people get older it becomes more and more important to maintain oral health, but many senior citizens lack the financial resources to keep up with the costs of dental care - usually due to the loss of their dental benefits when they retire. Medicare was not designed to cover routine dental care and Medicaid offers underserved seniors low reimbursements for dental work. This is especially unfortunate because routine dental visits are highly recommended for senior citizens, with or without teeth, to prevent or treat gum disease, detect overall health problems, and to provide denture maintenance and oral cancer screenings.

"Seniors face a host of overall health complications such as respiratory infections and diabetes that can be aggravated and even worsened by poor oral health," said Dr. Scott Navarro, dental director at Delta Dental of New Jersey. "Until recently, there has been no real affordable alternative to dental insurance in New Jersey that senior citizens can take advantage to maintain their regular dental visits."

For seniors who do not have dental insurance, dental access plans are now an option. 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 network of participating Delta Dental dentists who agree to provide member patients dental care at fees no higher than the Patient Direct 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 affordable dental access plan, Patient Direct, and to become a member, visit www.patientdirectnj.com or call 877-TOOTH-07.

Oral Healthcare Tips for Senior Citizens

• Brush and floss at least two times a day. Removing plaque from your teeth and gums every day can help prevent periodontal disease.
• Clean removable partial dentures daily and remove them at night to avoid bacteria growth.
• Drink fluoridated water and use fluoride toothpaste to protect your teeth against dental decay.
• Try to visit a dentist a least twice a year. Other than oral care, dental visits also provide the opportunity for early detection of gum disease, oral or throat cancer, diabetes, immune disorders, drug reactions, nutritional problems, and numerous other disorders.
• Notify your dentist of sudden changes in taste and smell. These changes are not necessarily signs of aging - they could instead be signs of serious medical problems.
• Notify your dentist of your medical history, any medications you are taking or changes in medication to help prevent potentially dangerous drug interactions or health conditions.
• Limit alcohol intake and tobacco use. The combined use of both is the main risk factor for oral and throat cancers.

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.