DELTA DENTAL SPONSORS SENIOR SMILES AT MORRISTOWN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

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DELTA DENTAL SPONSORS SENIOR SMILES AT MORRISTOWN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

-Program designed to provide dentures and dental care to eligible area seniors in need-

PARSIPPANY, NJ (April 30, 2007) – The Delta Dental Senior Smiles program at Morristown Memorial Hospital offers free dental care to eligible senior citizens in Morris, Sussex and Hunterdon counties. The program was predominantly designed to provide full and partial dentures; however, additional services such as X-rays, cleanings and fillings are also available.

Funded by a $25,000 grant from the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, the pilot program expects to care for nearly 40 patients this year. Community members 62 years of age and older who qualify for charity care through Morristown Memorial Hospital are eligible to receive dental services through Senior Smiles.

“This area of New Jersey can be an expensive place to live, and many of our older residents have found themselves living on a fixed income, with most of their money being spent on existing medical conditions,” explained Elizabeth Clemente, D.D.S., chair of the Dental Department for Morristown Memorial Hospital and author of the grant proposal. “Unfortunately, charity care does not cover dentures and most seniors do not have dental insurance, so they end up going without. The Delta Dental Senior Smiles program was developed to fulfill this need.”

“Delta Dental is committed to helping provide underserved New Jersey residents access to oral healthcare, and we welcomed the opportunity to assist Morristown Memorial Hospital with this initiative,” said Gene F. Napoliello, D.D.S., president of the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation. “Senior citizens represent a growing segment of the population that is often unable to afford adequate oral healthcare. This is unfortunate since as we age, risks for a number of oral health problems greatly increase, including tooth loss due to severe periodontal disease or dental decay.”

Dental care for older adults is a complex specialty in the dental field due to the many different overall health problems we face as we age. For example, certain medications can cause dry mouth, which can increase the risk of periodontal disease, or certain treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy may complicate dental treatment. The Senior Smiles program is equipped and experienced in handling these needs.

“The patients we have treated so far through Senior Smiles have been active, productive residents, many of whom volunteer their time throughout the community, even here at Morristown Memorial Hospital, but have found themselves unable to afford the dental care they need. We are grateful to Delta Dental for partnering with us to offer these seniors a way to improve their oral health and their smiles,” continued Dr. Clemente.

Since the program began in January 2007, the Delta Dental Senior Smiles has provided dental care to nine patients, ranging from simple dental cleanings to providing full sets of dentures. The program is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information or to schedule an appointment with a dentist, call (973) 971-5442.

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 the state.

About Morristown Memorial Hospital
Part of Atlantic Health, www.atlantichealth.org, Morristown Memorial is a non-profit 642-licensed-bed hospital in Morristown, New Jersey. A clinical affiliate of the Mount Sinai Medical School, Morristown Memorial’s specialties include cardiology and cardiac surgery, adult and pediatric oncology, critical and emergency care and inpatient rehabilitation and neonatal intensive care services. Morristown Memorial is also a Level II Regional Trauma Center, a Level III Regional Perinatal Center and a Regional Pediatric Center. Other services include the Goryeb Children’s Hospital, Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, North Jersey Regional Arthritis Center, Wound Care Center, Sleep Disorder Center, Hyperbaric Medicine Program, Diabetes Center, Valerie Fund Center (pediatric oncology cancer program), Photopheresis Center, Atlantic Mind Body Center, Atlantic Behavioral Health, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute, and Atlantic Home Care and Hospice. The hospital is the largest employer in Morristown, the second largest employer in Morris County, and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Morristown Memorial earned the 2005 Consumer Choice Award from National Research Corporation and is designated as a Magnet Hospital for Excellence in Nursing Service – the highest level of recognition by American Nurses Credentialing Center available to facilities that provide excellent acute care services.

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