New Data Show Delta Dental Continues Offering Largest Nationwide Network

OAK BROOK, Ill., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report shows that Delta Dental
maintains the largest network of dentists in the nation, a position the
nation's largest dental benefit system has held for more than five decades.
The report by NetMinder, an independent firm that provides data on providers
and managed care networks to the healthcare industry, indicates that the Delta
Dental network has more than 123,000 dentists, totaling more than 62,000
dentists than the next closest national competitor.

"Having the largest network of dentists in the nation is tremendously
important because it offers cost savings to employers and employees through
negotiated discounts, as well as convenience to our 51 million subscribers,"
said Kim Volk, president and CEO of Delta Dental Plans Association. "Our
network helped employers save more than $6 billion in decreased claims costs
last year."

Additionally, Delta Dental's network is locally developed and controlled
exclusively by its member companies, said Volk.

Delta Dental offers comprehensive benefits packages that combine cost-saving
managed care features with flexible plan designs. Enrollees realize
significant out-of-pocket savings from its "no balance billing" provision.
Under this provision, dentists in the Delta Dental network accept negotiated
fees as payment in full, and can't pass costs along to patients for any
differences between submitted charges and the charges allowed under Delta
Dental's contractual agreements. Enrollees seeking services from network
dentists only have to pay deductibles and copayments required by their plans.

In addition to maintaining the largest network in the country, Delta Dental
also regularly audits its network to ensure that all participating dentists
meet comprehensive credentialing standards.

The not-for-profit Delta Dental Plans Association (www.deltadental.com) based
in Oak Brook, Ill., is the leading national network of independent dental
service corporations specializing in providing dental benefits programs to 51
million Americans in more than 93,000 employee groups throughout the country.

SOURCE Delta Dental Plans Association

Kate Gerlesits of Delta Dental Plans Association, +1-630-574-6994,
kgerlesits@deltadental.com; or Angela Feig of The Meyocks Group,
+1-515-327-3425, angelafeig@meyocks.com, for Delta Dental Plans Association