DELTA DENTAL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRANT TO RAISE ORAL HEALTH AWARENESS AMONG NEW JERSEY'S UNDERSERVED CHILDREN

-Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic infectious diseases among U.S. children, and increasingly a disease of children from low- and modest-income households-

-February is Children's Dental Health Month-

PARSIPPANY, NJ (January 26, 2007) – In an effort to reinforce the importance of oral health education all school year long, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation is offering its first Oral Health Education Initiative Grant to elementary schools in New Jersey Abbott school districts, to initiate an oral health education program in their third-grade classes for the 2007-2008 school year. Three schools, each from a separate district, will be chosen to receive a grant of up to $5,000 to fund the programs.

Applicant schools are being asked to develop individual oral health education programs made up of ten monthly activities that work toward helping children understand the following: why it is important to maintain proper daily oral hygiene; how to properly brush and floss; the function of the dentist and hygienist; the relationship between oral health and food choices; and the relationship between oral health and overall health. The programs can include monthly activities such as an oral health bulletin board, a field trip to a dentist's office, or reading a book about oral health.

"With dental decay currently being one of the most common chronic infectious diseases among U.S. children, according to the CDC, it is unfortunate that New Jersey's educational curriculum does not include specific dental education guidelines past the second grade level," said Diane Belle, vice president of the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation. "Through Delta Dental's grant initiative, we hope to bring attention to the importance of comprehensive oral health education, and work with educators to instill good oral health habits early that children can take with them into adulthood."

According to the American Dental Association, tooth decay is increasingly a disease of children from low-and modest-income households. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that among children suffering from tooth decay, almost 50 percent of these cases remain untreated, with the disease resulting in pain, dysfunction, being underweight, or having poor appearance - all problems that can greatly reduce a child's capacity to succeed in the educational environment, as well as outside of school. The good news is that through proper oral hygiene and nutrition, childhood tooth decay can be prevented.

The School Nutrition Bill, on track to be signed into law, will require most New Jersey schools to adopt a comprehensive statewide policy banning soda and junk foods, and teach better eating habits as of September 1, 2007. These new nutrition guidelines will not only aid in the fight against childhood obesity, but will also benefit children's oral health as well.

"Delta Dental welcomes the opportunity to further educate children, especially those who are underserved, about the importance of maintaining oral health and its close relationship to overall health and well being," said Belle.

The Delta Dental Oral Health Education Initiative Grant is open to all New Jersey Abbott elementary schools that include third grade. Delta Dental will be accepting applications until June 16, 2007. Grantees will be notified before July 31, 2007. To apply, or for more information, contact Kimberly Elmore at 973-944-4555.

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 the state.

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