Smiles Across Minnesota Expands Program to Duluth

School-Based Dental Program Targets Duluth Head Start and
Elementary School Children
DULUTH, Minn.--(Business Wire)--Smiles Across Minnesota expands its statewide preventive dental
program to Duluth public elementary schools on January 24. The program
will help improve the oral health of low-income and uninsured
children. Smiles Across Minnesota provides children ages three to 12
with preventive dental services - including cleanings, fluoride
treatments and sealants - right within the schools.

The Community Impact Report, published by the United Way of
Greater Duluth, documented the critical need for accessible dental
services for uninsured or underinsured children in the Duluth
community. "When Delta Dental of Minnesota and Children's Dental
Services brought the Smiles Across Minnesota program to us, we
realized it fit the exact need of this community and ensures children
in Duluth public schools have their oral health needs met," said Paula
Reed, president of United Way of Greater Duluth.

"Smiles Across Minnesota allows us to serve a large number of
students who may not have access to regular preventive as well as
restorative dental care," said Dr. Keith Dixon, superintendent of the
Duluth Public Schools. "Community based programs are cost-effective.
Children receiving dental sealants in school-based programs have 60
percent less decay for up to five years. This program provides an
additional tool that supports good oral health for students who are
most in need. We anticipate serving over 1,000 children in the first
year."

Dental services will be offered to all students at participating
schools and administered by a local hygienist from Children's Dental
Services. "Preventive measures, such as education, sealants and
fluoride treatments, have a long-term impact on a child's future
dental health and well-being," explains Sarah Wovcha, executive
director of Children's Dental Services and co-chair of Smiles Across
Minnesota.

Uninsured students who are income-eligible will receive free care
through the program.

"We are excited to bring this successful, national school-based
program to Duluth," said Ann Johnson, director of community affairs at
Delta Dental of Minnesota, and co-chair of Smiles Across Minnesota.
"Our goal was to create a model that can be tailored to fit the
community's specific needs. We are thrilled that Duluth is our first
expansion site outside of the Twin Cities."

"Smiles Across Minnesota is the standard for how all Smiles Across
America programs should operate," said Sue Dodd, director of programs
at Oral Health America. "Smiles Across Minnesota is successfully
expanding its model throughout Minnesota - identifying needs and
eliminating barriers to care and education."

Smiles Across Minnesota - Duluth is a joint effort made possible
by Delta Dental, Children's Dental Services, United Way of Greater
Duluth and the Duluth Public School District. Delta Dental of
Minnesota, United Way of Greater Duluth, Generations Health Care
Initiatives, Northland Foundation and St. Louis County Public Health
and Human Services, have all provided financial support for Smiles
Across Minnesota - Duluth.

About Smiles Across Minnesota - Delta Dental of Minnesota and
Children's Dental Services launched the Smiles Across Minnesota
coalition in 2006, in conjunction with Oral Health America's Smiles
Across America program. Smiles Across Minnesota is one of the most
successful coalitions of Oral Health America's Smiles Across America
program, which focuses on providing school-based dental care to low
income and uninsured children.

Oral Health America is a national oral health advocacy
organization whose mission is to increase public awareness of oral
health's importance to total health. Oral Health America established
the Smiles Across America program in 2004 to provide preventive dental
care to uninsured children in school-based settings. Companies who
support the national program include Oral Health America, 3M ESPE,
Patterson Foundation, GC America, University Bank, Ronald McDonald
House Charities, Sunstar Butler, Dentsply, and DNTLworks among others.

United Way of Greater Duluth
Paula Reed, 218-726-4790
President
preed@unitedwayduluth.org
Fax: 218-726-4778
or
Delta Dental of Minnesota
Heather Hofmeister, 651-994-5210
Senior Corporate Communications Specialist
hhofmeister@deltadentalmn.org
Fax: 651-406-5975
Cell: 612-202-9159

Copyright Business Wire 2008